Stevie Young facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stevie Young
Young performing in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Stephen Crawford Young Jr.
Born	(1956-12-11) 11 December 1956 (age 68) Glasgow, Scotland
Genres	Hard rock
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1979–present
Labels	Columbia

Stephen Crawford Young Jr. was born on December 11, 1956. He is an Australian musician. He plays rhythm guitar and sings backing vocals for the famous Australian rock band AC/DC.

Stevie joined AC/DC in April 2014 to record their album Rock or Bust. He was officially announced as a member in September of that year. He took the place of his uncle, Malcolm Young, who retired due to health reasons. Stevie had previously helped out Malcolm on AC/DC's US tour in 1988.

Early Life and Family

Stephen Crawford Young Jr. was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on December 11, 1956. His father, Stephen Crawford Young Sr., was the oldest brother of famous musicians like Angus Young, Malcolm Young, George Young, and Alex Young.

In 1963, Stevie and his family moved from Scotland to Sydney, Australia. They settled in a place called Concord, New South Wales. Later, in 1970, he moved back to Scotland.

Stevie's Music Journey

Starting Out in Music

Stevie Young started his music career in the late 1970s. He played in early bands like The Stabbers, Prowler, and Tantrum in Hawick, Scotland.

In 1980, he formed a rock band called Starfighters in Birmingham, England. Starfighters released two albums in the 1980s. They even got to open for AC/DC on their Back in Black UK Tour in 1980. Starfighters also opened for Ozzy Osbourne in 1982.

Starfighters broke up in 1983 but got back together in 1987 for a short time. After that, Stevie formed a band called Little Big Horn. His uncle, Malcolm Young, helped produce their demo tape. This band also broke up. Stevie later formed another band called Up Rising. In 2009, he was part of a band called Hellsarockin.

When Starfighters bassist Doug Dennis passed away in 2011, the remaining band members played at his memorial. Stevie's son, Angus, played bass with them.

From 2013, Stevie Young and Pat Hambly from Starfighters played in a blues band called Blue Murda. Stevie's son, Angus, later joined Blue Murda on guitar. This Angus is the grand-nephew of AC/DC's Angus Young.

Joining AC/DC

Stevie Young has a long connection with AC/DC. He, Angus, and Malcolm Young all went to the same school when they were growing up in Sydney.

In the late 1970s, Stevie and his brother Fraser sometimes traveled with AC/DC on tour. They were even photographed backstage with Angus and Malcolm in 1979 during the Highway to Hell Tour.

In 1988, during AC/DC's US tour for their album Blow Up Your Video, Stevie filled in for Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar. Malcolm needed time off for personal reasons. Many fans didn't even realize Malcolm had been replaced because Stevie looked a lot like him at the time. Malcolm returned to the band after this break and stayed until his retirement in 2014.

In July 2014, AC/DC's singer Brian Johnson confirmed that Stevie Young had recorded with the band for their new album, Rock or Bust. He was again filling in for his uncle Malcolm, who was unwell. In September, it was confirmed that Stevie would permanently replace Malcolm. It was later shared that Angus Young had asked Stevie to join the band as early as January 2014.

Stevie Young also played rhythm guitar and sang backing vocals on AC/DC's 2020 album, Power Up. Angus Young mentioned that Stevie was very important in helping to put together all the guitar riffs for the record.

What Stevie Plays

Guitars

Stevie Young often plays Gretsch Jet Firebird guitars. He inherited his first Firebird from Malcolm Young. It was a black, left-handed guitar that Malcolm had changed.

Stevie also inherited another Firebird from Malcolm. This guitar was very similar to Malcolm's main Gretsch. It had some parts removed and the finish taken off. This was Stevie's main guitar during AC/DC's Rock or Bust World tour.

Strings and Amplifiers

Stevie uses specific guitar strings. For his high E string, he uses a 0.011 gauge string. However, when playing AC/DC songs, he uses the same string thickness as Malcolm, which is 0.012" with a wound G string.

For the Rock or Bust tour, Stevie used Marshall Amplifiers. These amplifiers had Celestion Creamback and Classic Lead 80 speakers.

Stevie's Family

Stevie Young has three children: Lewis, Angus, and Stevie (III). His son, Stevie (III), has a reggae band called Young Culture. Stevie's brother, Gus "Goose," plays keyboards in Young Culture and other tribute bands.

Music Stevie Has Made

With Starfighters

• Starfighters (1981)
• In-Flight Movie (1983)

With AC/DC

• Rock or Bust (2014)
• Power Up (2020)

See also

In Spanish: Stevie Young para niños