AC/DC co-founder and guitarist Malcolm Young passed away on November 18, 2017 following a three-year battle with dementia. He was 64 years old. 

“It is with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of Malcolm Young, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Malcolm had been suffering from dementia for several years and passed away peacefully with his family by his bedside,” AC/DC wrote in a statement. 

Malcolm Mitchell Young was born on January 6, 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland. When he was younger, Malcolm was in a band called Marcus Hook Roll Band with his brothers Angus and George, as well as George’s music partner Harry Vanda. In 1973, at the age of 20, Malcolm and Angus formed the now legendary group AC/DC. The band initially consisted of Malcolm on rhythm guitar, Angus on lead guitar, Colin Burgess on drums, Larry Van Kriedt on bass guitar, and Dave Evans on vocals. After dropping their first album High Voltage in 1975, the band was touring with Black Sabbath and later Rainbow, by 1977. 

They later released the albums Highway to Hell and Back in Black, the latter of which launched them to new heights of success and became their all-time bestseller. For Those About to Rock We Salute You was AC/DC’s first album to reach number one in the United States and was followed by their critically acclaimed albums Ballbreaker, Stiff Upper Lip, and Black Ice. Since their inception AC/DC has sold more than 200 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Malcolm was a staple of AC/DC from 1973 until 2014, when he retired to seek treatment for dementia. Despite his failing health, Young lended as much of his talents as he could for his final album with the band, Rock or Bust.  

“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,” expressed Angus. 

Malcolm was married to Linda Young and had three children with her, all of whom survive him. The family has asked for donations to be sent to The Salvation Army, instead of flowers.