AC/DC guitarist and co-founder Malcolm Young has died aged 64. The Australian peacefully passed away after his long battle with dementia today (Saturday 18) alongside his family.
The musician who co-founded Australian heavy rock legends AC/DC in 1973 with brother Angus Young, had been suffering with dementia for the past three years, which was the reason for retirement from the rock and roll life.
Malcolm Young, like his older brother George and younger brother Angus, was born in Glasgow, Scotland before the whole Young family emigrated to Sydney, Australia in the early Sixties. It was Malcolm, along with Angus, who created AC/DC, famous for tracks such as ‘Highway to Hell’, ‘You Shook Me All Night’ and ‘Thunderstruck’. Young brought to the band his powerful rhythm guitar riffs, and served as the band’s main creative force, and will certainly be remembered by the music world.
Three Young brothers have been part of AC/DC’s history, Malcolm, Producer George Young who died in October at age 70, and Angus. When Rolling Stone asked the Young brothers in 2008, Who runs AC/DC?,” Malcolm replied, “We both do, because we were there from the start.” ACDC have a ton of success’ under their belt, with over 110 million albums sold, and the best-selling Australian act of all time.
AC/DC released a statement from their Facebook page today that read:
“Today it is with deep heartfelt sadness that AC/DC has to announce the passing of Malcolm Young. Malcolm, along with Angus, was the founder and creator of AC/DC. With enormous dedication and commitment, he was the driving force behind the band. As a guitarist, songwriter and visionary he was a perfectionist and a unique man. He always stuck to his guns and did and said exactly what he wanted. He took great pride in all that he endeavored. His loyalty to the fans was unsurpassed.”
Angus Young added, “As his brother it is hard to express in words what he has meant to me during my life, the bond we had was unique and very special. He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever. Malcolm, job well done.”
Friends and many fans of the musician have taken to social media to pay their tributes.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood said it was a sad loss, “Malcolm was a lovely guy and will be really missed,” he wrote.
A sad loss ~ Malcom was a lovely guy and will be really missed xx pic.twitter.com/nTNc0yFZ7m
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) November 18, 2017
Tom Morello, of the US band Rage Against the Machine, tweeted his thanks to the “#1 greatest rhythm guitarist”.
Rest in rock power AC/DC’s #MalcolmYoung, #1 greatest rhythm guitarist in the entire history of rock n roll. THANKYOU for everything. pic.twitter.com/boXBDkJJ6W — Tom Morello (@tmorello) November 18, 2017
Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, who regarded Malcolm as one of rock’s greatest rhythm guitarists, tweeted Saturday following Young’s death, “I have to go…I am losing it that Malcolm is gone. I hate this…”
I have to go…I am losing it that Malcolm is gone. I hate this…
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) November 18, 2017
