Died On This Date (November 18, 2017) Malcolm Young / AC/DC Founder & Rhythm Guitarist

Malcolm Young
January 6, 1953 – November 18, 2017

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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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Died On This Date (June 4, 2015) Allan Fryer / Lead Singer of Heaven

Allan Fryer
DOB Unknown – June 4, 2015

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Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

Allan Fryer is perhaps best remembered as the lead singer of popular ’80s Australian heavy metal band, Heaven.  Following the death of Bon Scott in 1980, Fryer auditioned to replace him in AC/DC.  It was believed he secured the role until a surprise announcement (at least to him) that Brian Johnson had in fact been given the job.  Fryer went on to form Heaven whose sound was definitely cut from the same cloth as AC/DC, at least on the early records.  They  eventually grew into a more NWOBHM sound.  Heaven found some success in the US, enough to tour with Dio and Motley Crue in 1982.  Throughout their run, the band released four albums and also toured with Judas Priest, KISS, and Iron Maiden.  On June 4, 2015, Allan Fryer died following a long struggle with cancer.  He was 60.

Thanks to David Plastik for the assist.

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Photo by David Plastik – Click To Order Quality Prints – Discount code: 10OFF

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Died On This Date (April 7, 2014) Neil Smith / Former Bassist For AC/DC & Rose Tattoo

Neil Smith
1953 – April 7, 2013

neil-smithNeil 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.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

 

Died On This Date (April 3, 2013) Chris Bailey / Bassist For The Angels (Angel City)

Chris Bailey
1950 – April 3, 2013

chris-baileyChris 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.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.

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Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (June 4, 2012) George Marino / Legendary Recording Engineer

George Marino
1947 – June 4, 2012

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, John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy, and Whitney Houston’s Whitney.  Marino’s began his career as a musician, playing guitar in various bands in New York City. In 1967, he was hired by Capitol Records as a librarian and assistant in their New York studio.  After Capitol closed the studio, he went to work at the Record Plant before landing at Sterling Sound in 1973.  It was there that he worked on many of the most iconic albums of the rock era.  Besides those mentioned above, Marino worked on albums by Metallica, Coldplay, Cyndi Lauper, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, and many more.  Throughout his career, he was recognized with three Grammys including Arcade Fire’s Suburbs in 2011.  George Marino died of lung cancer on June 4, 2012.