Remembering a Legend: Malcolm Young


The other day, we lost yet another music legend. In 1973, brothers Malcolm and Angus Young started a hard rock/blues rock band. Most fans will will identify their music as good ol’ rock and roll. They had a third brother who was a producer. He produced the music from their earlier years as a band.


The boys were born in Scotland. In 1963 Scotland experienced their worst winter on record. Having had enough of the cold and snow, 15 members of the Young family boarded a plane and moved to Australia. .

Malcolm, George, and Angus Young
AC/DC underwent several line-up changes before releasing their first album, High Voltage, in 1975. Membership subsequently stabilised until bassist Mark Evans was replaced by Cliff Williams in 1977 for the album Powerage. Within months of recording the album Highway to Hell, lead singer and co-songwriter Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980 after a night of heavy alcohol consumption. The group considered disbanding, but buoyed by support from Scott's parents, decided to continue and set about finding a new vocalist. Brian Johnson was auditioned and selected to replace Scott. Later that year, the band released the new album Back in Black, which was made as a tribute to Bon Scott. The album launched them to new heights of success and became their all-time best-seller.

Malcolm Young
The band's next album, For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was their first album to reach number one in the United States. Drummer Phil Rudd was fired in 1983 and replaced by Simon Wright, who left to join Dio in 1989. The band experienced a resurgence in the early 1990s with the release of The Razors Edge. Phil Rudd returned in 1994 after Chris Slade, who was with the band from 1989 to 1994, was asked to leave in favour of him, and contributed to the band's 1995 album Ballbreaker. Stiff Upper Lip, released in 2000, was well received by critics. The band's studio album Black Ice, released in 2008, was the second highest-selling album of that year, and their biggest chart hit since For Those About to Rock, eventually reaching No.1 on all charts worldwide.The band's line-up remained the same until 2014 with Malcolm Young's retirement due to early-onset dementia and Rudd's legal troubles. In 2016, Johnson was advised to stop touring on account of worsening hearing loss, and Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose stepped in as the band's vocalist for the remainder of that year's dates. Long-term bass player Cliff Williams retired from the band at the end of their 2016 Rock Or Bust world tour.

On October 22, 2017, George Young passed away.
On November 18, 2017 Malcolm Young passed away.

To honor the boys of AC/DC, I’ve put together a playlist of a few of my favorites.




Do you have a favorite AC/DC song? What do you think will become of the band now?  Talk to me in the comments below.



Today’s post is part of the Monday’s Music Moves Me blog hop, hosted by X-Mas Dolly, and co-hosted by JAmerican Spice, Stacy Uncorked and Curious as a Cathy.  Be sure to stop by the hosts and visit the other participants.





Comments

  1. I never liked AC/DC, but they were my youngest brother's favorite group and he died this past November 6th. Kind of an irony I guess that his date of passing was so close to these rockers he admired so.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Lee,

      I'm sorry to hear of your recent loss. I'm sure your brother is having a grand time enjoying the musicians that we no longer have here.

      ~Mary

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  2. Mary,

    As you know I'm not much of metal fan but sometimes these heavy rockers have a song I like. "Highway to Hell" is perhaps the only title that I know by the band so that's about as close as I get to a favorite. In recent years I discovered the 2Cellos cover of "Thunderstruck' which is really awesome. Have you heard? Of course, listening to your choices I didn't realize that I knew more of their tunes than I did. It seems like the old guys in the mewsic industry are slipping from our grasp. Good tribute. Thanks for rockin' the house down this morning and have a great week, my friend!

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    1. Hi Cathy!

      It seems we lose more and more each year. Next week, I'm going a different route and paying tribute to someone that may be a bit closer to your wheelhouse.

      ~Mary

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  3. I liked AC/DC and thought that they were great. Sad, what has happened to them over the last little bit. I always loved "Thunderstuck" and "For Those About to Rock."

    Great tribute.

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    1. Patrick, when I need some good head banging music or simply need to just rock out, these guys were one of my go-to's. After the first of the year, once I get my internet hooked up from my big move, I'll introduce you to a pretty cool supergroup.

      ~Mary

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  4. I never liked hard/acid rock EVER, but I will make it an acception when it come to AC/DC only because hubby being a musician knows a lot of other musicians & a good friend of ours (now deceased rest his soul) sounded just like the singer of AC/DC & when Dave was in a band with him the song you posted was in their list which promptly became a favorite! Thanks for bringin' back a good memory! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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    1. Thanks, Marie
      It's sad that we are losing so many greats from the music world.

      Delete
  5. Thank you for this tribute. I learned some new things. The support from Bon Scott's family moved me. I believe a lot of folks still feel his loss to this day. So sorry that Mr. Young passed away. I can't help thinking the guys will retire now.

    Ooh, I was glad to have found 2Cellos, as well. Amazing dudes. And I'm still enamored with the young band Palaye Royale. I believe they have resurrected true rock and roll for a new generation. I swear, those guys should put me on the payroll. ~grin~ Hope to meet them in March.

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    1. 2Cellos is great. There are some pretty awesome cover bands out there, but one cant help but love the originals.

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  6. Nice tribute, Mary! AC/DC is one of those "soundtrack of your life" bands that will live on in memory. When Brian Johnson left, I thought they would pack it in. Axl Rose did a great job by all accounts, fronting those last tour dates. Angus will probably retire the band now, but I hope he continues on in some capacity. One of the greatest rock guitarists of all time!

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    1. Thanks, Debbie!

      I've enjoyed AC/DC since I was a young girl. I believe you are correct, they will retire the band. Angus should create a supergroup - I think that would be awesome!

      ~Mary

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  7. Hey Mary,
    Nice tribute to one of my very favorite bands. AC/DC was a rock staple in my younger years and they're still rocking me to this day. I really doubt that AC/DC will continue on. Malcolm was the driving force behind the band and I'm sure to the others he was like the glue that held them all together. Poor Angus, losing two brothers in two months. Will be interesting to see what happens next.

    On another note: I haven't been participating in the Monday's 4M posts because life kinda got in the way. My dog had major surgery and a rough recovery, I had to do a lot for my Mom these last few months getting her all settled and set up. I was going to do a David Cassidy tribute: I actually already put the playlist together but never got back to doing the post. I assume it's too late now...
    I didn't really feel in the mood to do Christmas music all month long so I'm just going to jump back in after the New Year.
    I just went to check out the themes and see that you are the spotlight dancer for Jan 8. Do you know what your theme is going to be yet? I'd like to get a head start on things so if you have any idea and care to share, I'd love to get some inside scoop. :)

    Thanks and happy holidays!

    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. Girl, you scared me with that date!

      Jan 8 is a Freebie, my theme is scheduled for Third week of January. Of course, now that I have seen a calendar, I see that is also Jan 15 - Battle day! I had previously emailed Marie my theme as "Songs with Colors in the Title" Good thing the themes are simply suggestions! (besides, who knows if or when Marie is going to read my email - let alone fix my name in her sidebar)

      I completely understand where you are coming from with the not feeling Christmas thing. I am in the process of moving from Colorado to Idaho. I'll be breaking down my computer on either Wednesday or Thursday next week, and leaving Friday evening. I was finally approved for my housing this week, and I sign paperwork on Dec 18. I have no idea when I'm going to get my internet connected. BUT.... my December battle is written and scheduled. I'll just have to catch up with everyone when I can.

      Enjoy your holidays with your Mom! Make it count :)

      ~ Mary

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    2. Absolutely! Good luck with your move! Didn't you move recently, like within the last year? What's taking you to Idaho? I've never been. Never been to Colorado either, for that matter.
      Sorry about the date scare. :) So are you sticking with the color theme or changing it to match your BOTB? No matter. I'm just curious. That's actually one (the color theme) that I had thought about doing too. It's a fun one!

      I hope you have a stress-free move! Moving is never fun, no matter what. Be safe and All the Best in your new digs!

      talk soon.

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  8. As a bit of a metal person, I like AC/DC and was saddened by these deaths - so many rockers gone between this year and last. Favorites of AC/DC? Most of them, but For Those About to Rock and Thunderstruck are among my faves. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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