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On Sunday, February 25, some of Bon Scott's old mates, as well as younger bands that have felt his influence, will perform at the Claremont Showgrounds in Perth to raise money for a life-sized statue of the frontman to be erected in his adopted home town of Fremantle.

But if you can't make the trip across the Nullarbor, Scott fans can contribute to the funding of the statue when AC/DC's spiritual home, Cherry, in AC/DC Lane, hosts its own benefit from 3pm this Sunday with the ANGELS and the DEVILROCK FOUR.

"The first time I met Bon was in the hippie days - he was wearing a kaftan and playing flute with Fraternity," says the Angels' John Brewster.

"But he soon became the best rock singer around. I put him right up there with John Lennon and Paul Rogers."

The Angels are an appropriate addition to the bill, as they were signed to Alberts by AC/DC's producers, Harry Vanda and George Young, after a recommendation from Bon and Angus and Malcolm Young when they toured together in South Australia.

And Scott was the only singer the Angels saw fit to invite up on stage with them at the peak of their popularity.

"Bon saw us when we were called the KEYSTONE ANGELS (who were backing band for CHUCK BERRY on one of his tours). We weren't much good then, but he seemed to like us, and soon we became labelmates. We played lots of gigs together, and I knew Bon very well. I remember him telling me in the AC/DC tour van in Port Augusta that he knew they would become one of the biggest bands in the world. He wasn't bragging; he said it was because 'We have Angus'."

Brewster says Scott's death was tragically premature. "It was pure accident. He was one of the great characters, a real achiever who contributed so much to Australia. He deserves a statue as much as anyone else."

Cherry's Bill Walsh encourages Melburnians to turn up and show their love for Scott. "The more money we can make and send across to Perth, the prouder we can be as Melburnians of our international reputation as hardcore lovers of balls-to-the-wall rock'n'roll," he says.

Brewster knows all about the dilemma of replacing an iconic frontman - he's replaced the ill Doc Neeson, who was badly injured in a car crash in 1999, as the band's singer.

After a 20-year absence, he got together with fellow original Angels members Chris Bailey, Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup and his brother Rick in 2002 for a benefit concert for Western Australian victims and families of the Bali bombings.

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SOURCE: TheAge.com.au