Angus Young facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Angus Young
Young performing in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Angus McKinnon Young
Born	(1955-03-31) 31 March 1955 (age 70) Glasgow, Scotland
Origin	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres	Hard rock blues rock rock and roll
Occupation(s)	Musician songwriter producer
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1970 (1970)–present
Labels	EMI Epic Atlantic Albert Columbia

Angus McKinnon Young, born on March 31, 1955, is an Australian musician. He is best known as a co-founder and the lead guitarist for the famous hard rock band AC/DC. He is the only member who has been with the band since the very beginning. Angus is famous for his exciting stage shows, wearing a schoolboy uniform, and doing his own version of the "duckwalk" dance. In 2003, Angus and the other members of AC/DC were welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Angus McKinnon Young was born in Glasgow, Scotland. In the 1950s, his family lived in a busy area of Glasgow. His father, William, worked in different jobs, and his mother, Margaret, was a housewife.

Angus spent his first seven years in Scotland. He had seven older brothers and sisters. Music was a big part of their family life. Many of his siblings played instruments or sang. His brother Alexander was a talented musician, and his brothers George and Malcolm later became founding members of famous bands like the Easybeats and AC/DC.

Angus started playing guitar when he was about five or six years old. He taught himself after getting one lesson from his brother Alexander. In June 1963, when Angus was eight, his family moved from Scotland to Sydney, Australia. They were looking for new opportunities.

After moving, Angus attended school in Sydney. He enjoyed art classes the most. He spent a lot of time practicing guitar in his bedroom after school. After high school, Angus worked various jobs, including as an apprentice printer. His first guitar was a cheap acoustic one bought by his mother. Around 1970, he bought his first Gibson SG guitar second-hand. He played this guitar so much that it eventually wore out.

Forming AC/DC and Early Success

Before AC/DC, Angus and his brother Malcolm were in a band called Marcus Hook Roll Band. Angus also played in local groups named Kantuckee and Tantrum.

Starting AC/DC

Angus was 18 when he and Malcolm formed AC/DC in 1973. Angus played lead guitar, and Malcolm played rhythm guitar. The band's first members also included Colin Burgess on drums, Larry Van Kriedt on bass, and Dave Evans on vocals. Their sister Margaret suggested the name AC/DC after seeing the letters on her sewing machine.

The Schoolboy Look

Angus tried out different stage costumes, like Spider-Man or Zorro. He even dressed as a gorilla! But he finally decided on his famous schoolboy uniform. His sister suggested it. The first uniform was made by his sister. When it wore out, he used his actual school uniform from Ashfield Boys High School.

First Albums and Growing Fame

AC/DC released their first album, High Voltage, in Australia in 1975. Over the next three years, they became a very popular hard rock band, especially in Australia. They released more albums like T.N.T., Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let There Be Rock, and Powerage. Angus's brother George helped produce all these albums.

Their 1979 album, Highway to Hell, became their biggest seller at the time and made them even more famous around the world.

New Singer and Huge Success

After Highway to Hell, the band's singer, Bon Scott, passed away. The band wondered if they could continue. But Angus and the others decided to keep going. They found a new singer, Brian Johnson. Five months later, they released Back in Black as a tribute to Bon Scott.

Back in Black was a massive success. It sold much more than any of their previous albums. It became one of the best-selling albums worldwide. AC/DC's next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, confirmed their place as a top hard rock band.

Later Years and Continued Music

AC/DC's popularity changed a bit with their next few albums in the 1980s. Malcolm Young had to take a break from touring in 1988 due to health reasons. His nephew, Stevie Young, filled in for him. Malcolm later returned to the band.

In 1990, their album The Razors Edge brought them back into the spotlight. It sold millions of copies. Over the next 10 years, they released more successful albums like Ballbreaker and Stiff Upper Lip.

After a long break, AC/DC released Black Ice in 2008. This album was a huge hit, reaching number one in many countries. It was followed by a very successful world tour. In 2010, AC/DC released an album of songs for the Iron Man 2 movie soundtrack.

Recent Band Changes

In 2014, Malcolm Young had to leave the band permanently due to ongoing health issues. This left Angus as the only original founding member still in the band. Stevie Young, Angus and Malcolm's nephew, became the official rhythm guitarist. AC/DC released the album Rock or Bust in late 2014.

In 2016, their singer Brian Johnson had to stop performing because of hearing problems. Angus, wanting to finish their tour, brought in Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses to sing for the rest of the tour. On September 30, 2020, the band announced a new album, Power Up, with Angus Young, Stevie Young, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, and Phil Rudd.

In 2003, AC/DC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They have also been recognized by Rolling Stone and VH1 as one of the greatest artists of all time.

Personal Life

Angus Young is married to Ellen van Lochem. They have homes in Australia, the UK, and the Netherlands. .....

In 2006, Angus received the Legend Award from Kerrang! magazine. In 2012, he was named the "Best Australian Guitarist of All Time" in a poll by Australian Guitar Magazine.

Musical Gear and Style

Guitars and Amplifiers

Young performing live in 2001

Angus mainly uses Gibson SG guitars. His main stage guitar is a 1967 ebony SG Standard. Gibson also made a special Angus Young SG guitar with lightning bolt designs. This guitar has a special pickup designed by Angus himself.

For his sound, Angus mostly uses Marshall amplifiers. He also uses a special wireless system that helps make his guitar sound bigger and stronger.

Musical Influences

Angus has said he started playing guitar when he was very young, around five or six, after hearing Little Richard. He also mentioned his brother Malcolm, Chuck Berry, Freddie King, and Muddy Waters as big influences. He learned from the performing styles of people like Chuck Berry, including his famous "duck walk."

Stage Performance Style

Young during a performance of "Let There Be Rock"

Angus is famous for his wild and energetic stage performances. He does intense jumps and runs all over the stage. He often does his own version of Chuck Berry's duck walk. He also has a "spasm" move where he throws himself to the ground, kicking and spinning while playing his guitar.

Sometimes, he would climb onto the shoulders of his singers, Bon Scott or Brian Johnson, and they would move through the audience while Angus played a long guitar solo. ..... He would then play the rest of the show without his shirt. Even though he performs on high platforms, Angus actually has a fear of heights!

Discography

Marcus Hook Roll Band

• Tales of Old Grand Daddy (1973 Australia, 1978 America, 2014 international)

AC/DC

Awards and Nominations

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are given out every year in Australia to honor composers and songwriters.

Images for kids

• 

  Young live with AC/DC in 1982

• 

  Young performing in Reggio Emilia in 2024

• 

  Young onstage in 2009

See also

In Spanish: Angus Young para niños