AC/DC announced on their Facebook page that Malcom Young has passed away. He was 64.
“Today it is with deep heartfelt sadness that AC/DC has to announce the passing of Malcolm Young,” the statement began. “Malcolm, along with Angus, was the founder and creator of AC/DC. With enormous dedication and commitment he was the driving force behind the band. As a guitarist, songwriter and visionary he was a perfectionist and a unique man. He always stuck to his guns and did and said exactly what he wanted. He took great pride in all that he endeavored. His loyalty to the fans was unsurpassed.”
“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,” Angus said in the post. “He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever. Malcolm, job well done.”
Young was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His family moved to Sydney, Australia in the early ’60s, and in 1973 he formed AC/DC with Angus. The band was named after the “AC/DC” electrical marker the brothers saw on their sister’s sewing machine. Through the years, AC/DC released hits like “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” “Thunderstruck,” “Hells Bells,” “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
AC/DC is the best-selling Australian band of all time with over 110 million albums sold. In 2003, the band and the Young brothers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, ET reports.
For the last three years, Young had been battling with dementia, forcing him to retire from the band. His last performance with AC/DC was at the conclusion of their Black Ice tour in June 2010 in Bilbao, Spain.
Young’s older brother, George Young, a longtime producer for AC/DC, died in October at 70.
