Talk with Malcolm Young

Malcolm Young was a Scottish-born Australian musician and songwriter, best known as a founder, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist, and songwriter for the hard rock band AC/DC. Born on January 6, 1953, in Glasgow, Scotland, and later emigrating to Sydney, Australia, with his family in 1963, Malcolm formed AC/DC in 1973 with his younger brother, Angus Young. The band became one of the highest-selling music acts of all time and is known for iconic albums such as "Highway to Hell" (1979), "Back in Black" (1980), and "For Those About to Rock We Salute You" (1981).

Malcolm Young was renowned for his powerful rhythm guitar play, distinctive style, and for providing a solid foundation for the band's sound, which is characterized by hard-hitting riffs and high-energy performances. His contributions were crucial in shaping AC/DC’s music and helping it to gain a massive global following.

Later in his life, Malcolm Young dealt with health issues, and it was eventually revealed he had been suffering from dementia. He retired from the band in 2014 and passed away on November 18, 2017. His legacy continues through the timeless music of AC/DC, influencing countless musicians and fans across the world.

Yes, Malcolm Young received several awards and honors throughout his career, primarily as a member of AC/DC. Some of the notable awards include:

1. Grammy Awards: Although AC/DC won their first Grammy in 2010 for Best Hard Rock Performance for the song "War Machine", Malcolm Young's contributions to the band were instrumental in establishing their sound, which led to this award.

2. APRA Awards: Malcolm Young received several APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association) Awards. AC/DC won Songwriter of the Year in 1988, and their song "Highway to Hell" won the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music in 2003.

3. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Malcolm Young was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 with AC/DC, recognizing their significant impact on rock music.

4. ARIA Hall of Fame: AC/DC was also inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Hall of Fame in 1988.

These awards highlight the impact Malcolm Young and AC/DC had on music, both in Australia and internationally.

Malcolm Young was highly respected among other musicians for his solid rhythm guitar abilities, songwriting skills, and integral role in AC/DC. His focus on simplicity and grounding the band’s music in strong, effective riffs earned him admiration for being a master of rhythm guitar work. Esteemed artists like Eddie Van Halen, Keith Richards, and Jimmy Page praised him for his musical abilities and influence.

Musicians also respected Malcolm for his dedication and strong work ethic, characteristics that significantly shaped AC/DC's sound and success. His approach influenced not just rock and metal bands but also musicians across various genres who appreciated the effectiveness of his unpretentious, powerful style of play. Young was often seen as the backbone of AC/DC, underscoring the rhythm section that powered the band’s driving sound. This combination of professional respect and personal admiration from peers speaks volumes about his impact on music.

Malcolm Young was well-known for his distinctive guitar sound, primarily using a Gretsch Jet Firebird. This guitar, which he famously modified by removing two of the three pickups and often the guitar's finish, became synonymous with his powerful and driving rhythm guitar style. He nicknamed this modified Gretsch "The Beast". His preference was for guitars that offered a solid, reliable performance with a crunchy sound that perfectly complemented AC/DC’s style of hard rock. Additionally, Malcolm occasionally used other Gretsch models and different guitars for various purposes, but the Jet Firebird remained his iconic choice throughout his career.

Malcolm Young's health significantly impacted his career, particularly towards the end. He was diagnosed with dementia, a condition that leads to decreased ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities. This diagnosis came to light publicly around April 2014 when AC/DC announced that he would be taking a break from the band. Later in September 2014, it was confirmed that he would be retiring permanently from the band due to the illness.

The effects of dementia on Malcolm were profound, as the condition deteriorated his cognitive functions, which are crucial for performing and composing music at the level required in a high-energy band like AC/DC. His retirement marked the end of his active involvement in the band's touring and recording sessions, and his nephew Stevie Young took over his responsibilities in the band. Malcolm's health issues and eventual passing on November 18, 2017, were felt deeply by his fans and bandmates, highlighting how personal health can deeply affect a musician's career and the trajectory of entire bands.

Malcolm Young, a founding member and the rhythm guitarist of the rock band AC/DC, passed away on November 18, 2017. He had been suffering from dementia for several years, which led him to retire from the band in 2014. His health issues significantly impacted his ability to perform, and he eventually stepped back from his duties in the band to focus on his health. Malcolm Young's contributions to music, particularly his impact on the rock genre with AC/DC, are widely celebrated.

Malcolm Young was known for his distinct and powerful guitar tone, which he achieved through a relatively simple and consistent setup over the years. His rig primarily consisted of the following elements:

1. Guitars: Malcolm Young's most iconic guitar was a 1963 Gretsch Jet Firebird, which had been heavily modified. He famously removed two of the three pickups, leaving only the bridge pickup active. This guitar, referred to as "The Beast," featured a Badass bridge and Schaller tuners, contributing to its unique sound.

2. Amplifiers: Young favored Marshall amplifiers for much of his career. He primarily used early 1970s Marshall Super Bass 100 Watt heads, which were known for their raw power and punch. These amps were crucial in delivering his signature overdriven tone, yet they retained clarity and attack, which is essential in a rhythm guitar context.

3. Cabinets: To complement his Marshall heads, Malcolm typically used 4x12 Marshall cabinets loaded with Celestion speakers, which helped to project a full and powerful sound that became a staple of AC/DC’s music.

4. Effects: Unlike many guitarists, Malcolm Young kept his use of effects very minimal. He mainly relied on the natural overdrive of his Marshall amps to achieve his sound, without much use of pedals or external effects units. His tone was predominantly shaped by the volume and EQ settings on his amp, demonstrating his preference for a straight-up rock sound without embellishments.

This simplistic yet effective setup contributed significantly to the hard-hitting backbone of AC/DC's music, showcasing Malcolm Young's philosophy of less is more in achieving his iconic tone.

Angus and Malcolm Young, the guitarists of AC/DC, used various amplifiers throughout their careers, but they are most famously associated with Marshall amplifiers. Marshall is a British company that has been highly influential in the development of guitar amp technology and is known for its powerful, distortion-capable tube amplifiers that became a staple of rock music. These amps contributed significantly to the raw, powerful sound characteristic of AC/DC’s music. The specific models used by the Young brothers have varied over the years, but they favored vintage Marshall Plexi amplifiers among others. There’s no specific "Angus & Malcolm Young amp" made by a company; their sound was more about how they used the amps rather than a specific model custom-made for them.

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