Malcolm Young founded AC/DC in 1973 alongside his younger brother Angus, establishing a rhythmic foundation that defined the band's hard rock sound for over four decades. As both a songwriter and rhythm guitarist, he anchored the group from its early days in Sydney until his retirement in 2014, contributing to a global musical legacy that spanned several continents.
Migration and Early Musical Foundations
Born in Glasgow in 1953, Malcolm Young spent his childhood in Scotland before his family relocated to Australia in 1963. The household maintained a strong musical culture, with Young and his brothers learning guitar from an early age. After initially residing at the Villawood Migrant Hostel, the family settled in the Sydney suburb of Burwood. Before forming AC/DC, he participated in several musical projects, including the Marcus Hook Roll Band and a brief tenure in a Newcastle-based group titled The Velvet Underground.
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At age 20, Young co-founded AC/DC, recruiting a lineup that included drummer Colin Burgess and bassist Larry Van Kriedt. The band took its name from a label found on a sewing machine belonging to their sister, Margaret. Unlike many contemporaries who utilized high-gain distortion, Young refined a distinct technique involving open chords played through Marshall amplifiers at lower volumes. He favored thick strings to maintain the hard-hitting, groove-focused rhythm style that became the core of the band's compositions.
Longevity and Contributions
Young remained a consistent member of AC/DC from its inception, interrupted only by a 1988 hiatus to manage alcohol abuse, during which time his nephew Stevie Young provided coverage. His contributions extended beyond live performance into rigorous songwriting and organizational record-keeping. Even after his 2014 retirement due to failing health, archived riffs and ideas he recorded were utilized by the band for later albums. In 2003, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with the group.
Health Challenges and Passing
The later years of Young's career were marked by significant medical difficulties. Following the conclusion of the Black Ice World Tour in 2010, he received treatment for lung cancer, resulting in a successful surgery to remove the growth. He also managed a heart condition that required the implantation of a pacemaker. By April 2014, health complications forced him to step away from his professional obligations. Malcolm Young died in 2017 at Elizabeth Bay and was interred at Waverley Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 6 January 1953, Glasgow
- Died: 18 November 2017, Elizabeth Bay
- Primary Instrument: Rhythm Guitar
- Education: Ashfield Boys' High School
- Band Membership: AC/DC (1973–2014)
- Burial Site: Waverley Cemetery
- Notable Recognition: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2003
Questions readers ask
What was Malcolm Young's specific role in AC/DC?
He served as the band's rhythm guitarist, songwriter, and backing vocalist.
Why did Malcolm Young retire from the band?
He retired in 2014 due to serious, ongoing health issues.
Achievements
- Instruments: guitar
- Genres: hard rock, blues rock and rock and roll
