George Young (rock musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Young
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Young in 1968
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | George Redburn Young |
| Born | 6 November 1946 Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland |
| Origin | Sydney, Australia |
| Died | 22 October 2017 (aged 70) Singapore |
| Genres | Rock |
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| Years active | 1964–1992 (as musician) |
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George Redburn Young (born 6 November 1946 – died 22 October 2017) was an Australian musician, songwriter, and record producer. He was a founding member of two famous bands, the Easybeats and Flash and the Pan. He was also half of the songwriting and production team Vanda & Young with his long-time friend and musical partner, Harry Vanda.
George Young was born in Scotland. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Australia, and he became an Australian citizen. He was a key member of the 1960s Australian rock band, the Easybeats. With his bandmate Harry Vanda, he co-wrote international hit songs like "Friday on My Mind". They also wrote "Love Is in the Air", which was a hit for singer John Paul Young (who was not related to George). Vanda and Young also produced early music for the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. This band was formed by George's younger brothers, Malcolm and Angus Young. Both Vanda & Young and the Easybeats have been honored in the ARIA Hall of Fame for their contributions to music.
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George Young's Early Life
George Young's family lived in Glasgow, Scotland. His father, William Young, worked in different jobs, including for the Royal Air Force during World War II. His mother, Margaret, was a housewife.
Moving to Australia
In the winter of 1962–63, Scotland had a very cold winter with lots of snow. At the same time, a TV advertisement offered help for families to move to Australia for a new life. In June 1963, 15 members of the Young family flew from Scotland to Australia. This included George, his younger brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, and other family members. Another older brother, Alex, stayed in the UK and later joined a band called Grapefruit.
When they first arrived in Australia, the Young family stayed at a place called Villawood Migrant Hostel. Here, George Young met and became friends with another person who had moved to Australia, Harry Vanda. The Young family later moved into a house in the Sydney suburb of Burwood. George went to Chester Hill High School for a short time but was expelled in 1964 because his hair was too long.
Starting His Music Journey
George Young married Sandra Ramsey in London in 1969. His brother Malcolm later said that music was a big part of their family. He explained that all the boys in their family played music, starting with the oldest brothers and then passing it down to George, Malcolm, and Angus.
The Easybeats: A Rocking Start
George Young began his music career in Sydney. In late 1964, he formed a pop band called the Easybeats. George played rhythm guitar. Other members included Dick Diamonde on bass, Gordon "Snowy" Fleet on drums, Harry Vanda on lead guitar, and Stevie Wright on lead vocals. All the band members had a connection to the Villawood Migrant Hostel, and they even practiced in its laundry room!
Big Hits and Success
George Young not only performed and recorded with the Easybeats, but he also helped write almost all their songs. He co-wrote many early hit songs with Stevie Wright, such as "She's So Fine" and "Sorry". Later, he wrote more hits with Harry Vanda, including "Friday on My Mind" and "Heaven and Hell". The Easybeats moved to the UK to make more music and perform, but the band broke up in late 1969.
Vanda & Young: A Powerful Duo
After the Easybeats split up, George Young and Harry Vanda formed a team in 1970 called Vanda & Young. They started by living in London. They wrote and produced pop and rock songs for other singers and bands. They also released their own music under different names.
In 1973, Young and Vanda moved back to Sydney. They started working for Ted Albert at his Albert Productions recording studio. They became the main producers there.
Producing AC/DC's Early Albums
In 1974, George's younger brothers, Malcolm and Angus, joined a studio band called Marcus Hook Roll Band. Malcolm and Angus had already started their own hard rock band, AC/DC, in 1973. George helped AC/DC a lot, and the band became very famous worldwide. George and Vanda produced many of AC/DC's early albums, including High Voltage (1975), Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976), and Let There Be Rock (1977). George even played bass guitar for AC/DC briefly when they were just starting out. He also produced AC/DC's Stiff Upper Lip album in 2000. George suggested that the song "It's a Long Way to the Top" should include bagpipes because he heard that AC/DC's singer, Bon Scott, had played in a pipe band.
Flash and the Pan: Their Own Band
In 1976, George Young and Harry Vanda formed another band called Flash and the Pan. It started as a studio project where George played guitar, keyboards, and sang, and Vanda played guitar and keyboards. They had hit songs in Australia like "Hey, St. Peter" and "Down Among the Dead Men". Their song "Waiting for a Train" became a hit in Europe, reaching No. 7 in the UK.
Writing Hits for Other Stars
Vanda & Young also produced music for other artists like Stevie Wright, John Paul Young, the Angels, and Rose Tattoo. As songwriters, they wrote "Evie" for Stevie Wright, which became a number one hit in Australia. They also co-wrote "Love Is in the Air" for John Paul Young, which was a big hit in Australia and other countries.
Later Years and Legacy
After stepping back from the music industry in the late 1990s, George Young lived mostly in Portugal with his family. He spent his last years living in Singapore.
George Young passed away in Singapore on 22 October 2017, at the age of 70. This was just three weeks before his younger brother Malcolm Young (from AC/DC) also passed away.
Awards and Recognition
In 1988, Vanda & Young were honored by being inducted into the first ever ARIA Hall of Fame. George's brothers, Angus and Malcolm, were also inducted at the same event as members of AC/DC. In 2001, a survey of music experts chose "Friday on My Mind" as the best Australian song of the past 75 years. In 2005, the Easybeats, including George Young and Harry Vanda, were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
In 2007, Australian Musician magazine said that George and Harry meeting at the Villawood migrant hostel in 1964 was the most important event in Australian pop and rock music history. Since 2009, there has been a songwriting competition called the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, named after them.
Songs and Productions
Artists Produced by Vanda & Young
- Stevie Wright
- AC/DC
- John Paul Young
- The Angels
- Rose Tattoo
- Flash and the Pan
- Ted Mulry Gang
- Strongheart American Rock trio
- Ray Arnott
Songs Written by Vanda & Young
- "Friday on My Mind" – The Easybeats (1966)
- "Good Times" – The Easybeats, INXS with Jimmy Barnes
- "Love Is in the Air" – John Paul Young (1978)
- "Walking in the Rain" – Flash and the Pan, Grace Jones
- "Evie – Parts 1, 2 & 3" – Stevie Wright
- "Hey St. Peter" – Flash and the Pan
- "Down Among the Dead Men" – Flash and the Pan
- "Waiting for a Train" – Flash and the Pan (1983)
See also
In Spanish: George Young para niños
