View source for Malcolm Young

{{short description|Australian guitarist (1953–2017)}} <!--Do not add "Scottish Born" or "Scottish" to the short description, Young's nationality is Australian per talk page consensus -->
{{about||the Episcopal priest, author and theologian|Malcolm Clemens Young|the rugby player|Malcolm Young (rugby union)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}{{Use Australian English|date=July 2011}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Malcolm Young
| background        = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| image             = Malcolm_Young_en_2010.jpg
| caption           = Young performing in 2010
| birth_name        = Malcolm Mitchell Young
| birth_date        = {{birth date|df=yes|1953|1|6}}
| birth_place       = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| death_date        = {{nowrap|{{death date and age|df=yes|2017|11|18|1953|1|6}}}}
| death_place       = [[Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales]], Australia
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Hard rock]]
* [[blues rock]]
* {{nowrap|[[rock and roll]]}}
}}
| occupation        = {{flatlist|
* Musician
* songwriter
}}
| instrument        = {{flatlist|
* Guitar
* vocals
}}
| years_active      = 1969–2014
| past_member_of    = {{flatlist|
* [[AC/DC]]
* {{nowrap|[[Marcus Hook Roll Band]]}}
}}
| website           = {{URL|acdc.com}}
}}

'''Malcolm Mitchell Young''' (6 January 1953 – 18 November 2017) was an <!--Do not add "Scottish Born" or "Scottish", Young's nationality is Australian per talk page consensus -->Australian<!--Do not add "Scottish Born" or "Scottish", Young's nationality is Australian per talk page consensus --> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/acdc|title=AC/DC|website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' named Young as the 38th best guitarist of all time along with his younger brother and fellow AC/DC member [[Angus Young]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=13 October 2023 |title=The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-guitarists-1234814010/ |access-date=14 October 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Whole Lotta Royston">{{cite news|last1=Roberts|first1=Lesley|title=WHOLE LOTTA ROYSTON: WRITER HAILS ROCK BRUVS AS HOME CITY URGED TO HONOUR THEM; How Glasgow Forged Superstar Rockers' Heavy Metal|newspaper=Sunday Mail|date=19 October 2014|page=36}}</ref>

Young left AC/DC in mid-2014 to receive treatment for [[dementia]].<ref name="leave">{{cite web |date=10 July 2014 |title=AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young is in hospital, says bandmate Brian Johnson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/10/acdc-guitarist-malcolm-young-is-in-hospital-says-bandmate-brian-johnson |access-date=10 July 2014 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="Dementia">{{cite web |date=30 September 2014 |title=AC/DC's Malcolm Young Has Dementia |url=http://www.people.com/article/malcolm-young-ac-dc-dementia |access-date=30 September 2014 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |ref=3}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42037566|title=AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young dies at 64|work=[[BBC News]]|date=18 November 2017|access-date=19 November 2019}}</ref>

== Early life ==
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]].<ref name="NAA A1877">{{cite web | url = https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=7401044 | title = Item details for: A1877, May 1963 Young W | date = 13 February 2009 | publisher = [[National Archive of Australia]] | access-date = 23 October 2017 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="NAA A1877" />

The [[Winter of 1962–63 in the United Kingdom|"big freeze" of 1963]] was one of the worst winters on record in Scotland, with snow {{convert|8|ft}} deep.<ref name=easy /> A TV advertisement shown in Scotland at that time offered assisted travel for families to start a different life in Australia.<ref name="easy">{{cite web |title=Easy Beats to AC/DC, The Story of Aussie Rock | date=12 February 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlx5W0fCJWY |access-date=4 November 2017 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> Fifteen members of the Young family left Scotland in late June 1963,<ref name=easy /> including fifth son [[George Young (rock musician)|George]] (1946–2017) and younger brothers Malcolm and [[Angus Young|Angus]] (b. 1955).<ref name="NAA A1877" /><ref name=easy /> Also in tow were his eldest brother Stephen (1933–1989), his only sister Margaret Horsburgh<!-- married name --> (1935–2019) and brother William Jr (b. 1940).<ref name="Tait">{{Citation | author1 = Tait, John Francis | author2 = ProQuest | title = Vanda & Young: Inside Australia's Hit Factory | date = 2010 | publisher = [[University of New South Wales]] Press | isbn = 978-1-74223-217-1 }}</ref>{{rp|6–7}} Another elder brother, [[Alexander Young (musician)|Alex]] (1938–1997), who was a member of [[Tony Sheridan]]'s backup group The Bobby Patrick Big Six,<ref>{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Warburton|title=The Bobby Patrick Big Six|url=https://thestrangebrew.co.uk/articles/the-bobby-patrick-big-six/|access-date=7 March 2021}}</ref> stayed in Europe and was later a member of London-based group [[Grapefruit (band)|Grapefruit]].<ref name="hell_aint">{{cite book|first=Mick |last=Wall |title=AC/DC: Hell Aint a Bad Place to Be |publisher=Orion Publishing group |location=London |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-4091-1535-9}}</ref>{{rp|6–7}} Another brother, John (b. 1937), had migrated to Australia separately.<ref name="Tait" />{{rp|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."<ref name="Tait" />{{rp|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]].<ref name=easy /> The Young family then moved into a semi-detached house at 4 Burleigh Street in the [[Sydney]] suburb of [[Burwood, New South Wales|Burwood]].<ref name="burleigh">{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/yarranquint/docs/younghouseacdc_july2013_ed|title=The Young House, 4 Burleigh Street, Burwood|website=issuu.com}}</ref>

== Career ==
Both Angus and Malcolm Young were in a band with their brother George and his music partner Harry Vanda called [[Marcus Hook Roll Band]]. The project released an album in Australia called ''[[Tales of Old Grand-Daddy]]''.<ref name="Vanda and Young">{{cite magazine|last1=Baker|first1=Glenn A.|title=Vanda and Young: AC/DC and the Young Brothers|magazine=Billboard|date=14 March 1981|volume=93|issue=10|page=VY-4, VY-11}}</ref> Malcolm Young played guitar on the 1974 release "[[Evie (song)|Evie]]" by [[Stevie Wright]], written and produced by [[Vanda and Young]]. The song is 11 minutes long and has three parts. Young played the guitar solo in Part One of the song.<ref name="Tait144">{{Cite book|title=''Vanda & Young'' |last=Tait |first=John |publisher=University of New South Wales Press |isbn=978-1-74223-217-1 |page=144 |date=2010}}</ref> Malcolm Young was in a short lived [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]]-based band The Velvet Underground (not the [[The Velvet Underground|well-known 1960s band]]).

Malcolm Young was 20 when he and younger brother Angus formed [[AC/DC]] in 1973. Angus was on lead guitar, Malcolm on rhythm guitar, [[Colin Burgess (musician)|Colin Burgess]] on drums, [[Larry Van Kriedt]] on bass guitar and [[Dave Evans (singer)|Dave Evans]] on vocals.<ref name="hell_aint" /> "Can I Sit Next To You Girl", their first single, was later re-recorded with [[Bon Scott]] as their vocalist.<ref name="hell_aint" /> They decided upon the name AC/DC after seeing the letters "AC/DC" on the back of their sister Margaret's sewing machine.<ref name="mengleheart">{{cite book|title=AC/DC Maximum Rock & Roll: The Ultimate Story of the World's Greatest Rock and Roll Band|year=2006|isbn=978-0-06-113391-6|author1=Engleheart, Murray|author2=Durieux, Arnaud|pages=[https://archive.org/details/acdcmaximumrockr00murr/page/50 50–51]|publisher=Harper Collins |url=https://archive.org/details/acdcmaximumrockr00murr/page/50}}</ref> In 1975 AC/DC had moved to Melbourne.

In early 1977 they returned to Britain and began a European tour with [[Black Sabbath]]. While Bon Scott and [[Ozzy Osbourne]] quickly became friends, some other members of the two bands did not get on so well. In one incident, Young alleged that [[Geezer Butler]] pulled a knife on him,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ac-dc-guitarist-clears-up-knife-incident-with-black-sabbath/|title=AC/DC Guitarist Clears Up Knife Incident With BLACK SABBATH|date=2 September 2003}}</ref> although Butler has since refuted that.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/black-sabbaths-geezer-butler-on-knives-vegan-food-and-wanking-bandmates |title=Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler on knives, vegan food and wanking bandmates |date=6 October 2016 |access-date=19 November 2019 |publisher=Classic Rock}}</ref>

Towards the end of 1977, bassist Mark Evans was fired; Evans cited disagreement with Angus and Malcolm as a contributing factor. He was replaced by [[Cliff Williams]].<ref name="hell_aint" />

In 1988, Young missed the majority of AC/DC's [[Blow Up Your Video World Tour]] to address alcohol abuse issues.<ref name="hell_aint" /> He eventually became sober and returned to the band. During his absence he was replaced by his nephew, [[Stevie Young]].<ref>{{cite web |first1=Yves|last1=Vranckx|first2=Verónica|last2=Martínez|url=http://www.ac-dc.cc/perl/members.cgi?theme=bonfire&language=en&action=frame&itemid=stevie_young |title=AC/DC – Bedlam in Belgium – English version |publisher=Ac-dc.cc |access-date=10 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060714101420/http://www.ac-dc.cc/perl/members.cgi?theme=bonfire&language=en&action=frame&itemid=stevie_young |archive-date=14 July 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Playing guitar in AC/DC from 1973 until his last live gig with the band in June 2010, Malcolm Young toured the world with few breaks on a 37-year run with the band. He continued to write songs in AC/DC until he left the band in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-malcolm-youngs-last-ever-gig-acdc-2160766|title=Watch Malcolm Young's last ever gig with AC/DC|website=Nme.com|date=18 November 2017|access-date=9 December 2020}}</ref> being replaced once again by his nephew Stevie.

During production of their album ''[[Power Up (AC/DC album)|Power Up]],'' a source inside the band leaked that they were working with tracks from as far back as 2003 that Malcolm had recorded.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lifton |first1=Dave |date=7 October 2020 |title=AC/DC's 'Power Up': Track List, Release Date, Cover Art Revealed |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/ac-dc-power-up-album-details/ |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== History with Gretsch Guitars ===
[[File:Malcolm Young at ACDC Monster of Rock Tour.jpg|thumb|Young in the 1990s]]
Malcolm Young owned and played several guitars throughout his career with AC/DC, however, he is most commonly known for his use of Gretsch guitars:
*1963 [[Gretsch G6131|Gretsch Jet Firebird]] – This is his very first Gretsch 6131 which became known as "The Beast". This guitar was heavily modified between 1976 and 1978. During this time, Malcolm removed the neck FilterTron and middle Gibson PAF, leaving only a rewound bridge FilterTron, the firebird red finish was removed and a matt clear lacquer was applied, he also removed the Burns vibrato unit and Space-Control bridge and installed a Badass wraparound bridge. Some time during 1988 during Malcolm's absence from the Blow Up Your Video tour, the guitar was refinished in a yellow lacquer and the Badass was replaced with a Schaller 455 wraparound bridge. In 1996 he removed the Schaller bridge and reinstalled a Burns vibrato and Space-Control bridge, the bridge pickup ring was also removed, The Beast has not been modified since.
*1963 Gretsch Jet Firebird #2 – This guitar was used extensively over Malcolm's career as his number 2 guitar. This guitar, like The Beast, started life as a standard 1963 Jet Firebird finished in Firebird red, the finish was stripped and a clear satin lacquer was applied, a middle pickup cavity was also cut to accompany the removal of the neck pickup to mimic the number 1 guitar. Malcolm also rewired the guitar much simpler than The Beast, leaving only the bridge pickup and volume pot connected to the output jack. This guitar also has a Burns vibrato unit along with an Adjusto-Matic bridge. The guitar also features black hole plugs instead of silver as is seen on The Beast. Stevie Young presently has possession of this guitar as his number 1.
*Gretsch Jet Firebird with Burns Vibrato, black, left-handed, year unknown - This guitar was rewired into a right-handed configuration similar to Malcolm's other guitars, with the neck pickup, pickup selector, and tone control removed. This guitar was given to Stevie Young, and was his main recording and stage guitar with [[Starfighters (band)|Starfighters]] in the early 1980s.
*JayDee Jet "White Arrow" – This guitar was made for Young some time around 1977/78 and was seen most prominently during the Powerage and Highway to Hell tours. It was originally fitted with two FilterTron pickups and a wraparound bridge, however Malcolm later installed a Gibson tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece, removed the neck pickup and filled the switch and wraparound bridge holes. Stevie Young also has possession of this guitar as his number 3.
*1959 [[Gretsch White Falcon|Gretsch White Falcon Project-o-Sonic]] – This guitar was used by Malcolm for Back in Black and For Those About to Rock, as well as respective tours. It featured a Cadillac G wire tailpiece and two FilterTron pickups. At some point after the For Those About to Rock tour, it was "fixed" by someone other than his guitar tech and it lost its signature sound. It was sold shortly after the For Those About to Rock tour and has changed hands several times, it is now owned by the Hard Rock Cafe.
*[[Gibson L6-S]] – Malcolm purchased this guitar in early 1975 while The Beast was getting repaired after a headstock break. It featured a natural finish, two humbucker pickups, a tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece and a black pickguard. Upon AC/DC's arrival in the UK during 1976, it was modified to a double cut and had the neck pickup and pickguard removed. This guitar was used by Angus briefly as a backup, it was then given to Stevie Young in 1980 who sold it in 1982, before it resurfaced in 2015.

== Illness and death ==
At the conclusion of the [[Black Ice World Tour]] in 2010, Young was diagnosed with [[lung cancer]]. It was treated at an early stage, so surgery was successful and the cancer was removed. He also had an unspecified heart problem and had a [[Artificial cardiac pacemaker|pacemaker]].<ref name="blackicehealth">{{cite web |last=Wilkening |first=Matthew |date=8 January 2015 |title=Lung Cancer, Pacemaker: More Malcolm Young Health Woes Detailed |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/malcolm-young-lung-cancer-pacemaker/ |access-date=18 January 2015 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]]}}</ref>

In April 2014, Young became seriously ill and was unable to continue performing.<ref>{{cite web|title=AC/DC to split over sick band member, according to rumours|first1=Peter|last1=Vincent|first2=Martin|last2=Boulton|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-to-split-over-sick-band-member-according-to-rumours-20140415-36puy.html|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> On 16 April 2014, AC/DC released a note stating that Young would be "taking a break from the band due to ill health".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.acdc.com/us/news/message-acdc|title=A Message From AC/DC|access-date=16 April 2014|publisher=AC/DC}}</ref> However, singer [[Brian Johnson]] stated that despite earlier reports, AC/DC are not retiring: "We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver. We're going to pick up guitars, have a plonk and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens we'll record it."<ref>{{cite news |date=16 April 2014 |title=Brian Johnson: AC/DC Not Retiring Yet |url=http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/2014-04-16/brian-johnson-ac-dc-not-retiring-yet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419024656/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/2014-04-16/brian-johnson-ac-dc-not-retiring-yet |archive-date=19 April 2014 |access-date=16 April 2014 |work=[[Metal Hammer]]}}</ref> In July, Johnson revealed that Young was hospitalized, receiving treatment for an unspecified condition, and that he had been replaced by his nephew, Stevie, during recording sessions that had taken place in May.<ref name=leave /> On 24 September 2014, the band's management announced that Young was officially retiring and would not be rejoining AC/DC.<ref>{{cite web |title=AC/DC 'ROCK OR BUST' |url=http://albertmusic.com/news/ac-dc-rock-or-bust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712225727/http://albertmusic.com/news/ac-dc-rock-or-bust |archive-date=12 July 2016 |access-date=24 September 2014 |publisher=[[Albert Music]]}}</ref> Stevie Young continued to fill in for Malcolm on the band's 2015 [[Rock or Bust World Tour]] and eventually became his full-time replacement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |date=1 October 2014 |title=AC/DC's Malcolm Young has dementia, family says |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/01/showbiz/music/malcolm-young-acdc-dementia/ |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref>

On 26 September 2014, ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' reported that Young had been diagnosed with [[dementia]] and had been admitted to a nursing home where he could receive full-time care. A source close to Young was quoted in this article as saying that he had "complete loss of short-term memory".<ref>{{cite web |date=25 September 2014 |title=AC/DC's Malcolm Young reportedly in care for dementia in Sydney |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdcs-malcolm-young-reportedly-in-care-for-dementia-in-sydney-20140925-10m1hs.html |access-date=26 September 2014 |website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |ref=3}}</ref> Young's family confirmed four days later that he had dementia, saying that Young "is suffering from dementia and the family thanks you for respecting their privacy".<ref name="Dementia" />

In subsequent interviews, Angus stated that his brother had been experiencing lapses in memory and [[Attentional control|concentration]] before the ''[[Black Ice (album)|Black Ice]]'' project and had been receiving treatment during the Black Ice World Tour which ended in 2010. Angus confirmed that although his brother did not play on the 2014 ''[[Rock or Bust]]'' album: "He still likes his music. We make sure he has his [[Chuck Berry]], a little [[Buddy Holly]]." He added that AC/DC would continue according to his brother's wishes and standards: "Look, even with his health, Malcolm was touring until he couldn't do it anymore." In that same interview, Angus stated that Young was rehearsing AC/DC's songs repeatedly before every concert just to remember how they went.<ref name="stone">{{cite magazine |date=14 November 2014 |title=Hard Rock, Harder Times: AC/DC Return Without Two Key Members |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/acdc-malcolm-young-phil-rudd-rock-or-bust-20141114 |access-date=14 November 2014 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>

In an interview with ''[[Guitar Player]]'' about Young's songwriting credits in ''Rock or Bust'', Angus stated:

{{cquote|Mal kept doing what he could until he couldn't do it anymore, but I have all the material he was working on. There were a lot of riffs, ideas, and bits of choruses. I'd fill things in to see if we had a song. Every album we've ever done has been that way. There was always a bit from the past, a bit from what we had that was brand new, and, sometimes, just an old idea that either Malcolm or myself had worked on but we never finished. The songwriting process didn't really change, except for the fact that Mal wasn't physically there. So when it came to writing and putting stuff together, I had Stevie [Young] there with me. You see, Malcolm was always a great organizer. He always kept track of the stuff we were writing together. He'd record it, date it, make notes. My records&nbsp;— if you can call them that&nbsp;— are always chaotic. So, this time, Stevie helped me organize a lot of what was there.<ref name="Unbroken">{{cite journal|last1=Molenda|first1=Michael|title=Unbroken & Victorious|journal=Guitar Player|date=May 2015|volume=49|issue=5|pages=48–52, 54–56, 58, 60–61}}</ref>}}

Young died from the disease on 18 November 2017 at the age of 64,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/acdc-cofounder-and-guitarist-malcolm-young-dead-at-64/news-story/9b92f92e9c9b336e4ec9b983c1d932c2|title=AC/DC co-founder and guitarist Malcolm Young dead at 64|work=News.com.au|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> at Lulworth House in [[Elizabeth Bay, New South Wales|Elizabeth Bay]].<ref>{{cite web |date=19 November 2017 |title=AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young dead at 64 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-cofounder-malcolm-young-dead-at-64-20171118-gzo8rv.html |access-date=19 November 2017 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> His funeral was held at [[St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney]], on 28 November.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/malcolm-young-remembered-as-an-extraordinary-australian-and-musician-20171128-gzu8ea.html|title=Malcolm Young remembered as an extraordinary Australian and musician|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=November 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ac-dc-members-past-present-honor-malcolm-young-at-funeral-service-125569/|title=AC/DC Members Past, Present Honor Malcolm Young at Funeral Service|newspaper=Rolling Stone|date=November 28, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noise11.com/news/malcolm-young-funeral-held-in-sydney-20171128|title=Malcolm Young Funeral Held In Sydney – Noise11.com|website=Noise11.com|date=28 November 2017}}</ref> Young's elder brother George died a few weeks before him, on 22 October 2017.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 November 2017 |title=AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young dies aged 64 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/malcolm-young-dead-acdc-brother-angus-george-dies-death-cause-age-64-tributes-latest-a8062521.html |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>

== Legacy and influence ==
[[File:Malcolm Young street art (Nov 2017).jpg|thumb|A street artist painting a Young portrait one day after Malcolm died]]
Influenced by 1950s [[rock and roll]] and [[blues]]-based rock guitarists of the 1960s and 1970s, Young was regarded as a leading rock exponent of rhythm guitar.<ref name="Grdn">{{cite news |last1=Stafford |first1=Andrew |date=1 November 2015 |title=AC/DC: without rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, AC have lost their DC |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/02/acdc-without-rhythm-guitarist-malcolm-young-ac-have-lost-their-dc |access-date=2 November 2015 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

''[[Guitar Player]]'' magazine has stated that the secret to Young's guitar technique was playing [[open chord]]s through a series of [[Marshall Amplification|Marshall amplifiers]], set to low volume without high [[Gain (electronics)|gain]]. This is contrary to a common practice for many rhythm guitarists who use loud and [[Distortion (music)|overdriven]] [[power chords]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gold|first1=Jude|title=Beginner Lesson! AC-DC'S Crushing Chords|url=http://www.guitarplayer.com/no-fear-lessons!/1085/beginner-lesson-ac-dcs-crushing-chords/16912|website=GuitarPlayer.com|access-date=17 February 2016}}</ref> In an interview with ''Guitar World'', Angus Young described Malcolm has "the band's foundation", with hard-hitting right hand picking style devoted to each song's [[Groove (music)|groove]], subtle variations in the [[chord structure]] and knowing when to temporarily stop playing to enhance the song.<ref>https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/let-there-be-rock-acdcs-angus-young-rhythm-playing-malcolm-young</ref> Malcolm preferred unusually thick [[guitar string]]s made by [[Gibson Guitar]] (gauge .012-.058).<ref>https://www.guitarplayer.com/lessons/the-basics-of-malcolm-youngs-unmistakable-rhythm-guitar-style</ref>  

[[Dave Mustaine]] of [[Megadeth]] stated in a 2004 interview that he considered himself, Young, [[Rudolf Schenker]] of [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]], and [[James Hetfield]] of [[Metallica]] to be the best rhythm guitarists in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newgnr.com/forum/index.php?topic=42956.0 |title='I'm Over My Metallica Demons,' Says Dave Mustaine |publisher=NewGNR.com |date=25 August 2009 |access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>

In 2006, he was the subject of a song (and album) title by Australian [[punk rock]] band [[Frenzal Rhomb]]: "[[Forever Malcolm Young]]".

In 2017, Gretsch guitars reissued the [[Gretsch G6131MY]], a signature guitar based on Young's modified 1963 Gretsch Jet Firebird.

On the day of Young's passing, several of the biggest names in rock and metal sent out tributes to Young, including [[Eddie Van Halen]], [[Ozzy Osbourne]], [[Black Sabbath]], [[Lars Ulrich]] of [[Metallica]], [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Dave Mustaine]] of [[Megadeth]], [[Billy Idol]], [[Paul Stanley]] of [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Joe Walsh]], [[Joe Satriani]], [[Def Leppard]], [[Scott Ian]] of [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]], [[Foo Fighters]], [[Alice Cooper]], [[Muse (band)|Muse]], and [[Vince Neil]] and [[Nikki Sixx]] of [[Mötley Crüe]] and many more. Many of these artists covered an AC/DC song at their concerts on the day of or around the time of Young's passing as part of their tribute, including [[Cheap Trick]], Foo Fighters and Guns N' Roses.<ref>{{Citation |title=Dave Grohl - Foo Fighters Tributo a Malcolm Young - AC DC | date=19 November 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbs8TUMyKIE |access-date=20 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Whole Lotta Rosie (Malcolm Young Tribute) - Guns N' Roses @The Forum (11-29-2017) | date=30 November 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X5Ksi-jdIw |access-date=20 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations==
===APRA Awards===
The [[APRA Awards (Australia)|APRA Awards]] are presented annually from 1982 by the [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |title=APRA History |publisher=[[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) &#124; [[Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society]] (AMCOS) |access-date=25 April 2022 }}</ref>

{{awards table}}
|-
| 1995 || "[[Big Gun]]" –  [[Angus Young]], Malcolm Young<ref name="1995Win">{{cite web | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/1995Winners.aspx | title = 1995 Winners | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | access-date = 12 May 2010 | archive-date = 8 March 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110308005511/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/1995Winners.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> || Most Played Australian Work Overseas || {{won}}
|-
| 2001 || "[[It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)]]" –  [[Bon Scott]], Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/2001_topten.asp |title=The final list: APRA's Ten best Australian Songs |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |date=28 May 2001 |access-date=12 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416025157/http://apra.com.au/awards/music/2001_topten.asp |archive-date=16 April 2009 }}</ref> || [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|Ten Best Australian Songs]] || {{won|Ninth}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 2006|2006]] || "[[Highway to Hell (song)|Highway to Hell]]" –  Bon Scott, Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref name="2006Nom">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/Nominations2006.aspx |title=Nominations – 2006 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=12 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918020105/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/Nominations2006.aspx |archive-date=18 September 2009 }}</ref> || Most Played Australian Work Overseas || {{nom}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 2007|2007]] || "Highway to Hell" –  Bon Scott, Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref name="MPAWONom">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/MostPerformedAustralianWorkOverseasNominations2007.aspx |title=Most Performed Australian Work Overseas nominations – 2007 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=12 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919093029/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/MostPerformedAustralianWorkOverseasNominations2007.aspx |archive-date=19 September 2009 }}</ref> || Most Played Australian Work Overseas || {{nom}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 2009|2009]] || "Highway to Hell" –  Bon Scott, Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref name="APRAWin2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2009Winners.aspx |title=2009 Winners – APRA Music Awards |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=23 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112034047/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2009Winners.aspx |archive-date=12 January 2010 }}</ref> || Most Played Australian Work Overseas || {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[APRA Music Awards of 2010|2010]] || "Rock 'n' Roll Train" –  Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref name="APRAWin2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2010Winners.aspx |title=2010 Winners – APRA Music Awards |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=24 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701075407/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2010Winners.aspx |archive-date=1 July 2010 }}</ref> || Most Played Australian Work Overseas || {{won}}
|-
| Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref name="APRAWin2010"/> || Songwriters of the Year || {{won}}
|-
| [[APRA Music Awards of 2011|2011]] || "Highway to Hell" –  Bon Scott, Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref name="APRA2011">{{cite web | title = 2011 Winners | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2011Winners.aspx | publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) &#124; Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) | access-date = 30 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207132037/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/musicawards/history/2011Winners.aspx| url-status = dead | archive-date = 7 December 2011 }}</ref> || Most Played Australian Work Overseas || {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[APRA Music Awards of 2015|2015]] || "Play Ball" – Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref name="2015APRA">{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/apras-song-of-the-year-shortlist-is-here/|title=APRA's Shortlist Of The Top Aussie Songs Of 2014 Is Hereng of the Year!|website=[[Music Feeds]]|date=15 January 2015|access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref> || Song of the Year || {{shortlisted}}
|-
| "Rock or Bust"  – Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref name="2015APRA"/> || Song of the Year || {{shortlisted}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[APRA Music Awards of 2022|2022]] || "Shot in the Dark"<ref name="APRA2022Noms">{{cite web|url=https://theindustryobserver.thebrag.com/nominees-revealed-for-2022-apra-music-awards/|title=Nominees Revealed for 2022 APRA Music Awards|website=The Industry Observer|date=7 April 2022|access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> || Most Performed Rock Work || {{won}}
|-
| "Realize" – Angus Young, Malcolm Young<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/2022-peer-voted-apra-song-of-the-year-shortlist-revealed|title=2022 Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year shortlist revealed!|website=[[APRA AMCOS]]|date=3 February 2022|access-date=26 April 2022}}</ref> || Song of the Year || {{shortlisted}}
{{end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
*[http://www.acdc.com/ ACDC.com official website]

{{AC/DC}}
{{2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Young, Malcolm}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian guitarists]]
[[Category:AC/DC members]]
[[Category:APRA Award winners]]
[[Category:Australian heavy metal guitarists]]
[[Category:Australian male guitarists]]
[[Category:Australian male songwriters]]
[[Category:Australian multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:Australian people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:Australian rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Blues rock musicians]]
[[Category:Deaths from dementia in Australia]]
[[Category:Marcus Hook Roll Band members]]
[[Category:Musicians from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Musicians from Sydney]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of Australia]]
[[Category:People educated at Ashfield Boys High School]]
[[Category:People from Cranhill]]
[[Category:Australian rhythm guitarists]]
[[Category:Scottish emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:Writers from Sydney]]
[[Category:Young musical family (Scotland and Australia)|Malcolm]]