Malcolm Young facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Malcolm Young
Young performing in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Malcolm Mitchell Young
Born	(1953-01-06)6 January 1953 Glasgow, Scotland
Died	18 November 2017(2017-11-18) (aged 64) Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Genres	Hard rock blues rock rock and roll
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Guitar vocals
Years active	1969–2014
Labels	EMI Epic Atlantic Albert
Associated acts	AC/DC Marcus Hook Roll Band

Malcolm Mitchell Young (born 6 January 1953 – died 18 November 2017) was an Australian musician. He was a co-founder of the famous rock band AC/DC. Malcolm played rhythm guitar, sang backing vocals, and wrote songs for the band.

He was a key member of AC/DC from its start in 1973 until 2014. He took a short break in 1988 but returned. Malcolm retired from the band in 2014 due to health issues. In 2003, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of AC/DC.

Even though his younger brother Angus was more often in the spotlight, Malcolm was seen as the band's leader. He was the driving force behind their music. In 2014, Malcolm said he wanted AC/DC to keep making music, even after he retired.

Malcolm left AC/DC in mid-2014 to get treatment for dementia. In September 2014, the band announced he was retiring for good. He passed away from the effects of dementia on 18 November 2017.

Early Life

Malcolm Young's father, William Young, lived with his family in Glasgow, Scotland. William worked in different jobs, including as a flight engine mechanic during World War II. His mother, Margaret, was a housewife.

In 1963, Scotland had a very cold winter. A TV ad offered help for families to move to Australia for a new life. Fifteen members of the Young family left Scotland in June 1963. This included Malcolm, his older brother George, and younger brother Angus.

Malcolm later shared that music was a big part of his family. He said, "All the males in our family played." His older brothers played accordion and guitar, and the love for music was passed down to him and Angus. The family first stayed in Nissen huts at a migrant hostel. Later, they moved to a house in Sydney, Australia.

Music Career

Young performing in 1990

Malcolm and Angus Young were in a band called Marcus Hook Roll Band with their brother George. This band released an album in Australia. Malcolm also played guitar on the song "Evie" by Stevie Wright in 1974. He played the guitar solo in the first part of the song.

Malcolm Young was 20 years old when he and Angus formed AC/DC in 1973. Angus played lead guitar, and Malcolm played rhythm guitar. The first members also included Colin Burgess on drums, Larry Van Kriedt on bass, and Dave Evans on vocals. Their first song, "Can I Sit Next To You Girl," was later re-recorded with Bon Scott as the singer.

The band got their name, AC/DC, from their sister Margaret's sewing machine. She saw the letters "AC/DC" on the back of it. In 1975, AC/DC moved to Melbourne, Australia.

In 1977, AC/DC went to Britain and toured Europe with Black Sabbath. Bon Scott and Ozzy Osbourne became friends. Later in 1977, bassist Mark Evans left the band. He was replaced by Cliff Williams.

In 1988, Malcolm missed most of AC/DC's "Blow Up Your Video World Tour." His nephew, Stevie Young, filled in for him during this time.

Malcolm Young played guitar in AC/DC from 1973 until his last live show in June 2010. He toured the world for 37 years with the band. He kept writing songs for AC/DC until he retired in 2014. His nephew Stevie Young took his place in the band permanently.

When AC/DC made their album Power Up, they used some songs Malcolm had recorded before he passed away. Some of these recordings were from as far back as 2003.

Illness and Death

After the "Black Ice World Tour," Malcolm Young was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was found early, and surgery successfully removed the cancer. He also had a heart problem and used a pacemaker.

In April 2014, Malcolm became very ill and could no longer perform. On 16 April 2014, AC/DC announced that Malcolm would be "taking a break from the band due to ill health." Singer Brian Johnson said that AC/DC was not retiring. He said they would meet in May to work on new music. In July, Johnson shared that Malcolm was in the hospital. His nephew, Stevie Young, replaced him in the studio for recording sessions.

On 24 September 2014, the band announced that Malcolm was officially retiring. Stevie Young continued to play for Malcolm on the band's 2015 "Rock or Bust World Tour." He then became a full-time member of AC/DC.

On 26 September 2014, news reports said that Malcolm Young had been diagnosed with dementia. He was admitted to a nursing home for full-time care. A source said he had "complete loss of short-term memory." His family confirmed four days later that he had dementia. They asked for privacy.

Angus Young later said that Malcolm had memory problems even before the Black Ice album. He received treatment during the "Black Ice World Tour," which ended in 2010. Angus confirmed that Malcolm did not play on the 2014 Rock or Bust album. However, he still enjoyed his music, especially Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly. Angus said AC/DC would continue as Malcolm would have wanted. He also shared that Malcolm would practice AC/DC songs many times before each concert to remember them.

Malcolm Young passed away from dementia on 18 November 2017, at age 64. His funeral was held at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. Malcolm's older brother, George Young, had passed away a few weeks before him, on 22 October 2017.

Legacy and Influence

A street artist painting a Young portrait one day after Malcolm died

Malcolm Young was known as a top rhythm guitarist in rock music. He was influenced by 1950s rock and roll and 1960s and 1970s blues-based rock guitarists.

Guitar Player magazine said that Malcolm's guitar technique was special. He played open chords through Marshall amplifiers set to a low volume. This was different from many rock guitarists who used loud, overdriven sounds.

Dave Mustaine of Megadeth once said that he thought Malcolm Young was one of the best rhythm guitarists in the world.

In 2006, an Australian punk rock band called Frenzal Rhomb named a song and album after him: "Forever Malcolm Young".

In 2017, Gretsch guitars re-released a special guitar based on Malcolm's own modified 1963 Gretsch Jet Firebird.

When Malcolm Young passed away, many famous rock and metal musicians shared their tributes. These included Eddie Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Dave Mustaine, Billy Idol, Paul Stanley of Kiss, Joe Walsh, Joe Satriani, Def Leppard, Scott Ian of Anthrax, Foo Fighters, Alice Cooper, and members of Mötley Crüe. Many of these artists played an AC/DC song at their concerts to honor him.

Awards and Nominations

APRA Awards

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

See also

In Spanish: Malcolm Young para niños