2015 may be the last year for the legendary AC / DC: cult musicians plan to retire. Of course, age takes its toll, but inexorable illness also incapacitates these young men. In 2014, it became known that Malcolm Young, one of the founders of the group, is seriously ill, so he will not be able to continue to record hits and work on tour tours. What happened to a famous musician?
Malcolm and AC / DC
His life journey began on January 6, 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland. Malcolm had six brothers and one sister, and it was with his brother Angus that he created the world-famous rock band. The year of birth of the legendary AC / DC is 1973. Malcolm became the rhythm guitarist of the group, and Angus became the songwriter and solo guitarist.
Popularity then still unknown to the guys brought participation in the TV show "Countdown". First, AC / DC warmed up the audience before the performances of Black Sabbath, Nazareth, Kiss, Cheap Trick and Foreigner. Many concerts were given, a huge number of songs were played. But in the seventies there was a real hit, which elevated the group to the pinnacle of popularity. And this, of course, is Highway to Hell.
Years passed, the popularity of the team grew. Soloists and other participants changed, but Angus and Malcolm Young remained unchanged.
The greatest guitar player of all time
This title was awarded to Malcolm Young by Classic Rock magazine. Of course, other famous guitarists were included in the list of the best. These are Jimi Hendricks, BB King, Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, George Harrison and Kurt Cobain. Malcolm's brother Angus is on this list.
As noted by the Guitar Player, Malcolm Young has a special style of play. It gives open chords through a small gain and with low overload. Before him, rhythm guitarists had never played like that, and indeed, perhaps only Malcolm Young is doing it now.
The guitar is the constant companion of the rock musician. Malcolm Young has his famous Gretch. This guitar will seem to the average man nothing remarkable, not standing out among similar, not special. But this is not so. For Malcolm, this is one of the most important attributes of creativity, to which he remained faithful all his life, as a devoted admirer of traditions. In the 80s, the manufacturing company had difficult times, and many musicians refused to use Gretsch products, but not Malcolm Young. He continued to perform with his favorite guitar as much as he could.
What happened in 2014?
In the spring of 2014, Young left AC / DC. Rock Or Bust's 16th album was already recorded without one of the founders of the band. Fans of the group, by the way, feared that there would simply not be a new disc, as well as a world tour already planned for 2015. But everything worked out, and Stevie Young agreed to replace his uncle. He had already performed on stage instead of Malcolm, when he had problems with alcohol back in the 80s, and then many viewers did not even notice the substitution - so Stevie looked like his famous relative.
The reason Malcolm left the group was not concealed from the general public. Both Young's AC / DC associates and his family spoke to the press. So, almost immediately, fans learned about the real reason for what happened - their idol had dementia.
In an interview, Young's colleagues said that they began to notice the first signs of the disorder in Malcolm in 2008. Then work on the Black Ice album was in full swing, and the guitarist could forget his parts. It became more and more difficult for him to play every week. The musician even forgot the words of the band’s most famous hits. Then Angus asked his brother if he would like to stop all this, because he saw how hard work is given to Malcolm. But he replied: “We simply have to do it!” And Black Ice saw the light.
But in 2014, the state of Malcolm Young worsened, so he had to stop speaking.
How does the musician feel now?
Unfortunately, it is completely impossible to recover from dementia, and over time, the disease only progresses. Existing drugs and therapies provide only a slight improvement and make the person’s adaptation to life a little easier, but it is impossible to restore his personality as it was before the pathology began to appear.
However sad it may be, Malcolm Young was not any happy exception. The disease did not recede, but, on the contrary, worsened. The musician started having problems with short-term memory. Angus Young says that Malcolm may forget that, for example, he talked with someone two minutes ago. Of course, at the same time, the resumption of his concert activity is simply impossible.
When the greatest talents are forced to stop their creative activity, it is sad. However, the legacy of AC / DC and Malcolm Young is great. And so the musician will not be forgotten.