Died On This Date (November 18, 2017) Malcolm Young / AC/DC Founder & Rhythm Guitarist
themusicsover Malcolm Young
January 6, 1953 – November 18, 2017
Malcolm Young, the co-founding guitarist for legendary hard rock band, AC/DC passed away with his family by his side after a long battle with dementia. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Young moved with his family to Australia when he was 10 years old. At 20, he formed AC/DC, which would go on to include his brother Angus Young on lead guitar, and Bon Scott on lead vocals. There were several line-up changes through the years, including the hiring of Brian Johnson on lead vocals after Scott passed away in 1980. With early Bon Scott fronted albums like T.N.T., Powerage, and Highway to Hell, the band began to build a huge following around the world due in large part to the bigger-than-live sound and image largely conceived by Malcolm. Their first album with Johnson, 1980’s Back in Black, sent the band’s popularity into the stratosphere. That album alone has sold over 50 million copies while their entire catalog sits at over 200 million in sales. They are one of the highest-selling bands of all time.
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Neil Smith was an early bassist for legendary Australian rock band, AC/DC. As the replacement for original bassist, Larry Van Kriedt in 1974, Smith was in the band for less than a year before being replaced by Rob Bailey. In 1979, Smith joined Rose Tattoo, another popular Australian hard rock band of the day, for a brief period. Neil Smith lost his battle with cancer on April 7, 2013.
Chris Bailey was the longtime bassist for legendary Australian pub-rock band, the Angels. Also known as Angel City so as to not be confused with Angel outside of Australia, the Angels formed in 1974, with Bailey coming on board when original bassist, Doc Neeson moved over to lead vocals in 1977. Often compared to as well as helped along by AC/DC, the Angels went on to release a string of hits at home and abroad. They are said to have been an influence on Guns N’ Roses, Great White, and many of the Seattle grunge bands. Bailey was part of the band throughout their peak years of the late ’70s and early ’80s. He can be heard on their two biggest releases, Face To Face and No Exit. Bailey left the group in 1982 and went on to play in other bands before returning in 1982. He continued on and off with them until his final days. Chris Bailey lost a long battle with throat cancer on April 3, 2013. He was 62.
George Marino was a much-respected mastering engineer whose talents can be heard on such iconic albums as AC/DC’s Highway To Hell, Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions, Guns N’ Roses Appetite For Destruction, Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet,