When Bon Scott formed his first band, the Spektors in Perth, Australia, in 1964, he wasn’t showcasing his anthemic vocals; he was behind the drums. During the band’s two-year run, they recorded a collection of covers, including Van Morrison‘s “Gloria” to The Beatles‘ “Yesterday,” and more, before splitting.
Along with members of another Perth band, The Winstons, and Spektors’ guitarist Wyn Milsom, Scott formed the Valentines and moved front and center as a vocalist in 1966. The band released two EPs, The Valentines in 1968, followed by My Old Man’s a Groovy Old Man in 1969, before disbanding in 1970.
Along with Valentine’s bandmate and co-vocalist Vince Lovegrove—who later introduced Scott to AC/DC—the band even hit the Top 30 in Australia before Scott parted ways with them to join another (pre-AC/DC) band, Fraternity.
The Valentines were a significant marker in Scott’s early career as the first band he fronted. Here’s a look at three of his written contributions to the band between 1969 and 1970.
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[RELATED: 4 AC/DC Classics Written by Bon Scott]
“Getting Better” (1969)
Written by Bon Scott and Wyn Milsom
During the Valentine’s short span from 1966 through ’70, Scott co-wrote several original songs for the band, along with Milsom, including “Getting Better,” released on their second album, My Old Man’s A Groovy Old Man, in 1969. Released as a B-side to “Nick Nack Paddy Whack,” the song made its way onto the Australian chart at No. 53.
“Nick Nack Paddy Whack” (1969)
Written by Bon Scott, Wyn Milsom, Vince Lovegrove, Ted Ward, John Cooksey, Paddy Beach
Also featured on the band’s second release, My Old Man’s A Groovy Old Man, and the B-side to “Getting Better,” Scott and the band co-wrote “Nick Nack Paddy Whack.” During this time, the band also landed a spot on the Australian music show Hit Scene on July 12, 1969, where they performed the bubblegum pop song.
“Juliette” (1970)
Written by Bon Scott, Ted Ward, and Wyn Milsom
Before the Valentines amicably parted ways in 1970 and Scott joined Fraternity, before landing in AC/DC, the band released their biggest hit: “Juliette.” Co-written by Scott, Milsom, and guitarist Ted Ward. The single peaked at No. 28 on the Australian chart. Lovegrove and Scott remained friends until Scott’s death in 1980 at 33. Lovegrove became a journalist and managed Divinyls until his death in a car accident in 2012 at the age of 65, while Milsom went on to become a sound engineer.
The Valentines’ catalog was eventually rereleased in 1987 with The Early Years, followed by Peculiar Hole in the Sky in 2003, The Sound of the Valentines in 2016, and 1967-1970 from 2020.
[RELATED: On This Day: AC/DC Lost Frontman Bon Scott in 1980]
Photo: Bon Scott in a studio in London in August 1979. (Fin Costello/Redferns)
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