Malcolm Young

For the Episcopal priest, author and theologian, see Malcolm Clemens Young. For the rugby player, see Malcolm Young (rugby union).

Malcolm Young
Young performing in 2010
Young performing in 2010
Background information
Birth nameMalcolm Mitchell Young
Born(1953-01-06)6 January 1953
Glasgow, Scotland
Died18 November 2017(2017-11-18) (aged 64)
Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Genres
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar • vocals
Years active1969–2014
Formerly ofAC/DC, Marcus Hook Roll Band
Websiteacdc.com

Malcolm Mitchell Young (6 January 1953 – 18 November 2017) was an Australian musician who was the rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and a founding member of the hard rock band AC/DC. Except for a brief absence in 1988, he was a member of AC/DC from its inception in 1973 until retiring in 2014 for health reasons. As a member of AC/DC, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.[1] Rolling Stone named Young as the 38th best guitarist of all time along with his younger brother and fellow AC/DC member Angus Young.[2]

Though Angus was the more visible of the brothers, Malcolm was described as the driving force and the leader of the band. In 2014, Young stated that despite his retirement from the band, AC/DC was determined to continue making music with his blessing.[3]

Young left AC/DC in mid-2014 to receive treatment for dementia.[4][5] In September 2014, the band's management announced that he would be retiring permanently. He died from the effects of dementia on 18 November 2017.[6]

  1. ^ "AC/DC". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
  2. ^ "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  3. ^ Roberts, Lesley (19 October 2014). "WHOLE LOTTA ROYSTON: WRITER HAILS ROCK BRUVS AS HOME CITY URGED TO HONOUR THEM; How Glasgow Forged Superstar Rockers' Heavy Metal". Sunday Mail. p. 36.
  4. ^ "AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young is in hospital, says bandmate Brian Johnson". The Guardian. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  5. ^ "AC/DC's Malcolm Young Has Dementia". People. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  6. ^ "AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young dies at 64". BBC News. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2019.