Volbeat Adds New Guitarist as Band Celebrates 50 Years of Rock

The Danish metal band Volbeat has a new member, and ACDC's Bon Scott would have turned 80 this year.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The Danish metal band Volbeat has added a new guitarist to their lineup, while the estate of ACDC's Bon Scott is throwing a party to celebrate what would have been his 80th birthday. Additionally, there are reports that the Van Halen brothers and Ozzy Osbourne almost collaborated on an album together, and Primus is releasing a graphic novel based on their album "Frizzle Fry."

Why it matters

Volbeat's lineup change comes as the band celebrates 50 years in the music industry, showcasing the longevity and evolution of the Danish metal scene. The potential Van Halen-Ozzy collaboration would have been a major event in rock music history, had it come to fruition. Primus' graphic novel adaptation highlights the growing trend of musicians expanding their creative output beyond just music.

The details

Volbeat has announced the addition of a new guitarist to their lineup, though details about the new member have not been disclosed. Meanwhile, the estate of ACDC's Bon Scott is planning a party to commemorate what would have been the legendary vocalist's 80th birthday. Separately, reports suggest that the Van Halen brothers and Ozzy Osbourne had discussed collaborating on an album together, though the project never materialized. In other news, the band Primus is releasing a graphic novel based on their 1990 album "Frizzle Fry."

  • Volbeat has been performing for 50 years.
  • Bon Scott of ACDC would have turned 80 this year.
  • The potential Van Halen-Ozzy collaboration was discussed but never came to fruition.

The players

Volbeat

A Danish metal band that has been performing for 50 years and has just added a new guitarist to their lineup.

Bon Scott

The late lead vocalist of the iconic rock band ACDC, who would have turned 80 years old this year.

Van Halen Brothers

The siblings who formed the legendary rock band Van Halen, and who reportedly discussed collaborating with Ozzy Osbourne on an album.

Ozzy Osbourne

The iconic heavy metal singer who was reportedly in discussions with the Van Halen brothers about a potential collaborative album.

Primus

The American rock band that is releasing a graphic novel based on their 1990 album "Frizzle Fry."

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in the music industry, especially with the way the scene has evolved over the decades.”

— Volbeat Spokesperson

What’s next

Volbeat is expected to announce more details about their new guitarist in the coming weeks, while Bon Scott's estate is planning a celebration for what would have been his 80th birthday later this year.

The takeaway

The music industry continues to evolve, with veteran acts like Volbeat adapting to changing times by bringing in new members, while also honoring the legacies of iconic figures like Bon Scott. Meanwhile, collaborations between legendary artists like Van Halen and Ozzy Osbourne that never materialized demonstrate the unpredictable nature of the music business.