Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young (born January 6 1953 in Glasgow Scotland) is a founding member and rhythm guitarist for the Australian hard rock band AC/DC.
Before AC/DC
Influenced by 50's rock and roll, and blues based rock guitarists of the 60's and 70's, he is regarded as a leading rock exponent of rhythm guitar. His economic playing, his 'groove' and his riff-based compositions have been highly influential on subsequent hard rock and heavy metal music acts.
Malcolm Young picked up the guitar while he was still in school. He graduated quickly from acoustic to electric and picked up tips from his older brother George whenever The Easybeats returned from a tour. Malcolm left school as soon as he could and found gainful employment. He worked as a machine maintenance engineer for a bra company. Malcolm and Angus founded AC/DC in 1973.
Equipment
Malcolm plays a Gretsch guitar with the neck and middle pickups removed and socks placed in the pickup cavities to stop them from feeding back. His Gretsch was originally red, but when he took the middle and rear pickups out he stripped the paint. The guitar has had three or four different bridges on it. To this day he still plays it.
Contributions And Accomplishments
Malcolm has written most of AC/DC's songs in collaboration with Angus and AC/DC vocalists Bon Scott and Brian Johnson.
Malcolm missed the band's 1988 tour because he was trying to rid himself of a drinking habit, not wanting to meet a demise similar to that of Bon Scott. It was publically announced was that he was tending to his sick son. He won the battle with his drinking problem and returned to the band.
In May 2003, Malcolm Young accepted the "Ted Albert Award For Outstanding Service To Australian Music" and paid special tribute to Bon Scott.
Malcolm Young is listed in Who's Who In Australia for 2004-2005.