“It
is with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of Malcolm
Young, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother,” AC/DC said in a
statement
on their website. “Malcolm had been suffering from dementia for several
years and passed away peacefully with his family by his bedside.”
“Renowned
for his musical prowess, Malcolm was a songwriter, guitarist,
performer, producer and visionary who inspired many. From the outset, he
knew what he wanted to achieve and, along with his younger brother,
took to the world stage giving their all at every show. Nothing less
would do for their fans. Malcolm is survived by his loving wife O'Linda,
children Cara and Ross, son-in-law Josh, three grandchildren, sister
and brother.”
Malcolm was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1953 and
moved with his family to Australia 10 years later. Following the lead of
his older brother George, who played with the Easybeats of "Friday on
My Mind" fame. He formed AC/DC with Angus in 1973 and continued to lead
them until his retirement. The Youngs’ older brother George, known as a
producer and member of ‘60s band the Easybeats, died last month, aged 70.
The rhythm guitarist retired
in 2014 after his family confirmed he was suffering from dementia, and
was replaced by his nephew Stevie for recording and touring their Rock or Bust album.
Speaking in 2014, Angus revealed that Malcolm’s condition had deteriorated to the point that he could no longer remember many of the songs he’d written. “It was hard work for him," he said. "He was relearning a lot of those songs that he knew backwards; the ones we were playing that night he’d be relearning. He was his own driver. He himself had that thing, where you’ve just got to keep going. Every now and then he’s still the Malcolm I know.”
source: ultimateclassicrock.com
