AC/DC has been no stranger to tragedy. They first lost their original singer, Bon Scott in 1980 due to acute alcohol poisoning and by the mid 80’s, they were blamed for inspiring serial killer Richard Ramirez with their song, “Night Prowler”.
AC/DC also wasn’t immune to controversy the following decade when in 1991, a concert in Utah resulted in the death of several fans.
For their credit, AC/DC hasn’t let the rougher parts of life get them down and they’ve always soldiered on thanks, in large part, to founding guitarist, Malcolm Young.
Malcolm Young’s Final Live Show
Fans wouldn’t know it until years later but June 28, 2010 was rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young’s final live show of his career.
The band was in Spain performing a concert in the city of Bilbao. This was the final stop for the band who had been on the road for almost 2 years promoting Black Ice. The tour was a struggle for Malcolm. He had to relearn songs he previously knew by heart and receive medical care during the tour.
Malcom’s brother, Angus Young told Rolling Stone magazine in November 2014, “Malcolm was still capable of knowing what he wanted to do. I said to him, ‘Do you want to go through with what we’re doing?’ and he said, ‘Shit yeah’.”
Following the band’s final show in Spain, the group took almost 4 years off, during which time they released their 2012 live album from 2009’s River Plate Stadium show in Argentina.
“One of the boys is a little sick and I can’t say anything, but he’s getting better…” – Brian Johnson
In 2012, frontman Brian Johnson gave an interview where he hinted that health problems were hampering production on the group’s next record, “One of the boys is a little sick and I can’t say anything, but he’s getting better. He’s doing wonderful. Full recovery fully expected.”
The band reassembled to record their follow up, Rock or Bust, but in April 2014, a few weeks before they were to hit the studio, word leaked that Malcolm Young was done with the band as his health had deteriorated to the point that he wasn’t able to continue.
Frontman Brian Johnson provided an update without naming names, “One of the boys has a debilitating illness but I don’t want to say too much about it. He’s very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We’ve been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much.”
AC/DC Confirms Malcolm Young is ‘Taking a Break’
The same day, AC/DC put out their own statement confirming that Malcolm was “taking a break” from the band that he helped form four decades prior. The statement would also put to rest rumors that AC/DC was retiring. The statement read that the group would move forward and continue to write and record new music.
While 2014’s Rock or Bust wouldn’t feature Malcolm’s signature guitar playing, he did co-write every song on the album. Filling in for Malcolm was his Nephew, Stevie Young who replaced Malcolm in 1988 while he went into treatment for his alcohol addiction.
Brian Johnson would later admit, “We missed Malcolm obviously. Stevie was magnificent in his stead but when you’re recording with this thing hanging over you and your workmate isn’t well. It’s difficult. I’m sure he was rooting for us the whole time we were in Canada.”
Drummer Phil Rudd ran into his own problems and while he would play on Rock or Bust, he wouldn’t tour with the band. He was replaced by prior drummer Chris Slade when he was arrested for drug possession and attempting to hire a hitman.
By 2016, with 22 shows remaining as part of the Rock or Bust tour, the band ran into more trouble when Brian Johnson suffered hearing issues and needed to stop touring immediately. The band enlisted the help of Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose who did an incredible job filling in for Brian.
Malcolm Young Passes Away From Dementia
Following the end of the Rock or Bust tour in late 2016, the AC/DC camp went silent for about a year. On November 18, 2017, the news that a lot of fans were expecting finally happened when Malcolm Young died from the effects of dementia at the young age of 64.
The music world responded with an outpouring of support. Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash posted on social media, “Monumentally sad day in rock n’ roll.” Guns N’ Roses, who were on tour at the time, dedicated “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” to Malcolm’s memory following the news of his passing. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen put out a statement saying Malcolm Young was the heart and soul of AC/DC.
“…I’m proud to have known him and call him a friend and I’m going to miss him so much…” – Brian Johnson
Perhaps the most touching tribute came from his bandmate Brian Johnson who put out a statement saying, “I’m saddened by the passing of my friend Malcolm Young. I can’t believe he’s gone. We had such great times on the road. I was always aware he was a genius on guitar. His riffs have become legends as has he.
I send my love and sympathy to his wife Linda and his children Cara, and Ross and Angus who will all be devastated as we all are. He never liked the celebrity side of fame. He was too humble for that. He was the man who created AC/DC because he said there was no rock n’ roll out there. I’m proud to have known him and call him a friend and I’m going to miss him so much. I salute you Malcolm Young.”
By 2018, rumors had circulated that the band was back at work in the studio in Vancouver, Canada. Photographs of the band at a studio and local hotel only added fuel to the fire and a recent interview with the band’s longtime engineer confirmed that the group was, in fact, up to something.
“…Angus and Malcolm were living together where literally they wrote hundreds of songs and many were recorded and have stashed away.” – Jam Magazine
Jam Magazine reported that AC/DC’s new material was made using old guitar parts that were recorded by Malcolm, “Five years prior to the Black Ice LP, at that time Angus and Malcolm were living together where literally they wrote hundreds of songs and many were recorded and have stashed away.”
They further elaborated explaining, “Angus selected the best tracks for those recordings and would use them as the song’s foundations on which the rest of the band would build.”
“All four surviving members have reunited with tracks recorded by Malcolm while he was still alive…” – Dee Snider
Last year, Dee Snider confirmed the existence of new AC/DC material, posting on Twitter, “All four surviving members have reunited with tracks recorded by Malcolm while he was still alive. Malcolm’s nephew, Stevie Young is replacing him. He’s done this a couple times before. It’s as close as you can get to the original band.”
While the AC/DC camp has been silent on the band’s future plans, we can sit here and wait and hope that we can hear Malcolm Young one more time.
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