It could be argued that AC/DC is one of the biggest bands(not just hard rock bands)in history. There can be no argument that Malcolm was a driving force that catapulted AC/DC to worldwide status. Malcolm and his brother Angus founded the band in 1973. Malcolm was born in Glasgow, Scotland before the family immigrated to Australia. Although Malcolm’s two older brothers found success in the music industry, their father still made Malcolm work as a mechanic in a bra factory after leaving school at 15. “I’ve never felt like a pop star – this is a nine-to-five sort of gig,” Malcolm told Rolling Stone in 2008. “It comes from working in the factories, that world. You don’t forget it.” In 1973, Malcolm recruited Angus to form a new band, which the brothers named after the “AC/DC” electrical current marker they spotted on their sister’s sewing machine. Malcolm’s time in AC/DC was not without strife: A heavy drinker, he briefly left AC/DC in 1988 during the Blow Up Your Video Tour – his only absence from the band up to and until his dementia diagnosis – to go to rehab to curb his drinking problem. After a few months, Malcolm returned to the band and remained sober ever since. “I was not surprised,” George Young said his younger brother’s sobriety. “When Malcolm puts his mind to something, he does it.” Malcolm Young left the band in September 2014 due to dementia.
“Today it is with deep heartfelt sadness that AC/DC has to announce the passing of Malcolm Young,” AC/DC wrote in a statement. Angus Young added, “As his brother it is hard to express in words what he has meant to me during my life, the bond we had was unique and very special. He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever. Malcolm, job well done.”
Malcolm Young -January 6, 1953 – November 18, 2017 – Rock In Peace
