Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young (1953–2017) — Scottish-born Australian musician, founding rhythm guitarist of AC/DC. Explore his biography, musical influence, songwriting, style, and enduring legacy.
Introduction
Malcolm Mitchell Young (January 6, 1953 – November 18, 2017) was a foundational force in rock music as the rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist, and co-founder of AC/DC. Though his younger brother Angus Young often occupied the spotlight with flamboyant lead solos, Malcolm was widely recognized as the band’s backbone — the steadying presence who shaped its sound, structure, and discipline.
His contributions spanned decades, from songcraft to studio arrangements, and his rhythm work became a model for generations of guitarists. Even in quiet dignity and away from the center stage, Malcolm’s influence continues to resonate in the DNA of hard rock.
Early Life and Family
Malcolm Young was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on January 6, 1953. He was one of eight children in the Young family. His father, William Young, worked various manual and labor jobs (including in rope works, as a postman, and in building yards) and his mother Margaret managed the large household.
In 1963, when Malcolm was about ten years old, the Young family emigrated from Scotland to Australia, settling in the Sydney suburb of Burwood. The move placed Malcolm and his siblings, especially Angus, in a new cultural environment where rock music, adolescence, and immigrant identity shaped their early prospects.
Music ran in the family: multiple Young siblings played instruments (accordion, guitar, etc.), and Malcolm eventually inherited the mantle of rhythm guitar from older brothers who had dabbled in music before him.
Musical Career & Achievements
Founding AC/DC & Early Years
In 1973, Malcolm and his younger brother Angus co-founded AC/DC in Sydney, Australia. Malcolm took on the role of rhythm guitarist and primary arranger, while Angus handled lead guitar and onstage showmanship. The band name “AC/DC” is said to have been inspired by the letters on their sister’s sewing machine, signifying power and energy.
From their first single “Can I Sit Next to You Girl” to early albums, Malcolm’s steady rhythm parts and songwriting collaboration helped define the band’s raw, driving rock sound. Over time, AC/DC moved to international stages, releasing iconic albums and solidifying their reputation as one of rock’s most durable acts.
Style & Influence
While many guitarists chase flashy solos, Malcolm’s artistry lay in rhythmic precision, tone control, and arranging restraint. Guitar Player magazine and fellow musicians have commented on his technique: using open chords, thick string gauges, and amplification settings that emphasized clarity and punch rather than excessive distortion. He often played behind a wall of Marshall amplifiers at modest volume, trusting the groove and interplay rather than saturating noise.
Malcolm also co-wrote many of AC/DC’s songs (with Angus and various vocalists) and participated in production decisions. His contributions to the band extended beyond performance to leadership and musical direction.
Health Decline & Retirement
In 1988, Malcolm briefly stepped back from touring to address alcohol issues; during that period, his nephew Stevie Young filled in. He later returned to the band, rehabilitated and refocused.
Following the end of AC/DC’s Black Ice tour in 2010, Malcolm was diagnosed with lung cancer. The cancer was treated successfully with surgery. He also had a heart condition requiring a pacemaker.
By 2014, Malcolm’s health further declined, and it became public that he was suffering from dementia. In April 2014, AC/DC announced he would take a hiatus for health reasons, and in September that year his retirement from the band was confirmed. His nephew Stevie Young officially replaced him in rhythm guitar duties.
Malcolm Young passed away on November 18, 2017, in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney, Australia, at the age of 64. His death was attributed to the effects of dementia.
Legacy and Influence
Malcolm has been widely celebrated as one of rock’s greatest rhythm guitarists — the “glue” behind AC/DC’s explosive sound. Rolling Stone placed him (alongside Angus) among the top guitarists of all time.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with AC/DC in 2003. Even after his death, musicians from across genres have paid tribute to his unflashy but deeply effective style and his commitment to musical integrity.
One mark of his musical legacy: when AC/DC released Power Up (2020), they used unreleased material and riffs Malcolm had recorded earlier, preserving his presence in the band’s continuing work.
Personality, Approach & Philosophy
-
Discipline over spectacle. Malcolm often remained off to the side on stage, letting Angus and vocalists command the spotlight while he maintained musical order.
-
Perfectionism. He was known for demanding tightness, consistency, and excellence — rejecting sloppy playing or indiscipline.
-
Quiet leadership. While not flamboyant, he was a guiding force behind band decisions and internal structure.
-
Loyalty to core sound. Malcolm resisted trend-chasing; he believed in preserving the band’s core identity rather than overextending into overproduced excess.
Notable Quotes
Malcolm Young was not especially known for pithy public statements. His voice was expressed through his music, rather than verbosity. Still, a few remarks and observations attributed to him or about his philosophy offer insight:
“I never wanted to be a solo star. I wanted the band to be always first.”
“My job is to keep the machine working. I’m the mechanic.” (paraphrase of comments by Angus Young and associates about Malcolm’s role)
“He never wasted a note.” (a tribute from collaborators describing his omission of unnecessary embellishment)
These fragments reflect a musician whose strength lay in restraint, commitment, and musical minimalism.
Lessons from Malcolm Young
-
Power in restraint. Great rhythm work isn’t about speed or flash — it’s about serving the song and driving consistency.
-
Invisible leadership counts. One doesn’t always need to dominate the spotlight to lead — Malcolm’s quiet influence shaped AC/DC profoundly.
-
Loyalty to your artistic identity. He resisted fads and focused on a sound he believed in, which helped preserve the band’s integrity over decades.
-
Technical discipline matters. His tone choices, string gauges, and amplifier settings were deliberate and consistent.
-
Contribute beyond performance. Writing, arrangement, guiding musical direction — roles offstage can shape a band’s future.
-
Legacy through preservation. Even after retirement, Malcolm’s recorded ideas and influence continued, showing how lasting work can transcend presence.
Conclusion
Malcolm Young remains a seminal figure in rock history — not always the loudest voice on stage, but among the most essential. His craftsmanship, discipline, and vision held AC/DC together and ensured its thunderous impact. His story reminds us that greatness often lies in what’s held steady, reliable, and unshakeable beneath the flash.