Malcolm Young
Malcolm Mitchell Young (6 January 1953 – 18 November 2017) was an Australian musician who was the rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and a founding member of the hard rock band AC/DC. Except for a brief absence in 1988, he was a member of AC/DC from its inception in 1973 until retiring in 2014 for health reasons. As a member of AC/DC, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.[1] Rolling Stone named Young as the 38th best guitarist of all time along with his younger brother and fellow AC/DC member Angus.[2]
For the Episcopal priest, author and theologian, see Malcolm Clemens Young. For the rugby player, see Malcolm Young (rugby union).
Malcolm Young
Malcolm Mitchell Young
6 January 1953
Glasgow, Scotland
18 November 2017 (aged 64)
Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Musician
Guitar • vocals
1969–2014
Though Angus was the more visible of the brothers, Malcolm was described as the driving force and the leader of the band. In 2014, Young stated that despite his retirement from the band, AC/DC was determined to continue making music with his blessing.[3]
Young left AC/DC in mid-2014 to receive treatment for dementia.[4][5] In September 2014, the band's management announced that he would be retiring permanently. He died from the effects of dementia on 18 November 2017.[6]
Early life[edit]
Malcolm Mitchell Young was born on 6 January 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland. Young's father, William Young (1911–1985), lived with his family at 6 Skerryvore Road in the Cranhill district of Glasgow.[7] William worked first as a wheel boy in a rope works and then as a machine and saw operator in an asbestos and cement business. In 1940, he joined the Royal Air Force and served in World War II as a flight engine mechanic. After the war, he worked as a yard man for a builder and then as a postman. He married Margaret (1913–1988; maiden name also Young), who was a housewife.[7]
The "big freeze" of 1963 was one of the worst winters on record in Scotland, with snow 8 feet (2.4 m) deep.[8] A TV advertisement shown in Scotland at that time offered assisted travel for families to start a different life in Australia.[8] Fifteen members of the Young family left Scotland in late June 1963,[8] including fifth son George (1946–2017) and younger brothers Malcolm and Angus (b. 1955).[7][8] Also in tow were his eldest brother Stephen (1933–1989), his only sister Margaret Horsburgh (1935–2019) and brother William Jr (b. 1940).[9]: 6–7 Another elder brother, Alex (1938–1997), who was a member of Tony Sheridan's backup group The Bobby Patrick Big Six,[10] stayed in Europe and was later a member of London-based group Grapefruit.[11]: 6–7 Another brother, John (b. 1937), had migrated to Australia separately.[9]: 6–7
Malcolm later detailed the family's musical background: "All the males in our family played, Stevie, the oldest played accordion, Alex and John were the first couple to play guitar, and being older it was sort of passed down to George, then myself, then Angus."[9]: 6–7 Initially staying at Villawood Migrant Hostel (a site later turned into Villawood Immigration Detention Centre) in Nissen huts, George met and became friends with another migrant, Harry Vanda.[8] The Young family then moved into a semi-detached house at 4 Burleigh Street in the Sydney suburb of Burwood.[12]
Awards and nominations[edit]
APRA Awards[edit]
The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.[39]