It's the 6th year of the Heart of Australian Rock Culture and the founder of AC / DC Band, Malcolm Mitchell Young has left us with his electrifying stage presence and his signature guitar riffs. This article explains Young's songwriting talent. It looks at how he made such great music from basic chords, musicians who influenced Young, The simple but unforgettable fancy guitar solos that craft hooks stuck in your head, and the golden timeline of the AC / DC Band and its Creation.
From the Streets of Sydney to Global Stages:
Malcolm's Mastry in simplicity combined with the depth of knowledge in Rock music helped him to stand out very early in his career. He was born in Scotland on 6th January 1953 and moved to Australia in 1963. It was the time when Australia was promoting Assisted Travel and migration to families.
He and his brother Angus Young were very passionate in the field of Rock since their childhood. Young brothers began playing guitar at the age of 10. He was influenced by blues, rock and roll, and Australian rock. In 1963, he formed his first band, The Valentines, with his brother Angus Young. The band released two singles before splitting up in 1966.
Beginning of The Journey to the Musical World
Their older brother George Young had made a debut in the success of his musical career as a co-founder of Easybeats. The 3rd Album of Easybeats "Friday on My Mind (1966)" became a world hit and This incident strongly motivated Malcolm Young and Angus Young to make the step towards the world of Rock.
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In 1968 the Easybeats Failed to follow their most popular album "Friday on My Mind" and started getting most of their albums flopped back to back. In 1969, The Band broke up. But with his passion for rock music, George Young and his music partner Harry Vanda reverted with the formation of Marcus Hook Roll Band. It is the first band where Angus and Malcolm Young started their career in Rock Music as Lead guitarists.
Formation of AC/DC
In the year, 1973, the Young brothers formed the band that would soon become rock legends. And guess what? It was really as it is. The Band AC / DC came into the picture.
The Young brothers were no strangers to the music scene. They had recently been playing in bands like Velvet Underground and Marcus Hook Roll Band. But now they were ready to launch something new - their own group called AC/DC.
At first, AC/DC was a glam rock act. Singer Dave Evans fronted the band in flamboyant outfits while the Young brothers rocked out on guitar. Their early shows involved covering songs by favorites like the Stones, Chuck Berry, and the Beatles. Angus soon started donning his now-iconic schoolboy uniform on stage. His sister Margaret had suggested it, and the costume worked perfectly for Angus' energy and stage presence.
In January 1974, AC/DC headed into the studio to record their debut single "Can I Sit Next to You, Girl?" with producers and fellow Aussie musicians George Young and Harry Vanda. After some lineup shuffling on bass and drums, the single was released in July 1974 as AC/DC truly arrived on the music scene.
The band's live show garnered attention, scoring them a tour supporting Lou Reed. But bigger changes were still to come. Malcolm switched to rhythm guitar, letting Angus shine on the lead. And management felt singer Dave Evans' glam style was no longer a fit. The brothers agreed, knowing they wanted to evolve AC/DC's sound into something grittier - thunderous blues-infused hard rock.
Within just over a year, AC/DC had formed, established their blistering live act, and underwent key evolutions in their membership and musical direction. Now they were ready to take Australia - and soon the world - by storm. Their journey was just the beginning.
In 1974, Bon Scott joined a band called AC/DC. Scott was born in Scotland just like AC/DC's guitarists, the Young brothers. The three of them all loved blues music. Scott's gravelly voice was perfect for AC/DC's loud rock songs. He re-recorded the singing on the band's first single.
Stepping into the Golden Era: Malcolm Young & Young Brothers
In 1975, AC/DC made their first album "High Voltage" in Australia. They tried out different drummers and bass players for a while. Finally, Phil Rudd became the drummer and Mark Evans the bass player. This was the dream group of AC/DC.
In 1975, AC/DC was going to perform at a big Australian festival. But they didn't get to because of a problem with another band. This incident hit them hard. In reply, they released their second album named "T.N.T." that year which made the mark of the most-played album on Australian radio.
In just a couple of years, AC/DC had started making popular music. The schoolboy Angus, the singer Bon Scott, and the brothers Malcolm and George Young had formed a powerful rock band that fans loved.
Within a few years, Malcolm's band AC/DC started gaining worldwide fame and making its mark, building up a huge fanbase across Europe with their high-energy rock music.
As lead guitarist and co-founder of the legendary rock band AC/DC, Malcolm Young played an integral role in creating some of the most iconic hard rock anthems of all time. Throughout AC/DC's illustrious career spanning decades, Malcolm Young's guitar work and songwriting were the driving force behind the unique sound and identity of the band. From their raw, blazing early albums to their monster hits that topped charts worldwide, Malcolm Young crafted riffs, rhythms, and songs that defined a generation of rock music. His body of work with AC/DC represents a remarkable timeline of rock innovation and enduring influence. As the creative visionary behind the band's uncompromising approach, Malcolm Young gave the world thunderous rock anthems that continue to inspire musicians and fans today. This timeline follows the greatest musical achievements of Malcolm Young's career, chronicling his immeasurable impact on rock history.
The Timeline of Malcolm Young's Greatest Rock Creations :
High Voltage (1975): Their debut studio album was released in Australia. It introduced the band's high-energy rock style and featured tracks like "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)."
T.N.T. (1975): Another Australian release, building on the success of "High Voltage." Notably, it included tracks like "T.N.T." and "High Voltage."
High Voltage (International) (1976): A compilation of tracks from their previous Australian releases, tailored for an international audience.
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976): The band's third studio album, showcasing a harder-edged sound with songs like the title track "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" and "Big Balls."
Let There Be Rock (1977): This album solidified AC/DC's place in rock history with iconic tracks such as "Whole Lotta Rosie" and the electrifying title track "Let There Be Rock."
Powerage (1978): A lesser-known gem in their catalog, this album demonstrated the band's songwriting prowess with tracks like "Sin City" and "Down Payment Blues."
Highway to Hell (1979): A commercial triumph, marking the pinnacle of Bon Scott's era. Hits like "Highway to Hell" and "Touch Too Much" showcased their signature sound.
Back in Black (1980): A pivotal album after Bon Scott's tragic passing. With Brian Johnson as the new vocalist, it became a rock masterpiece, featuring iconic tracks like "Hells Bells" and "You Shook Me All Night Long."
For Those About to Rock We Salute You (1981): Continuing their success, this album boasted hits like the anthemic "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)."
Key Elements of Malcolm Young's Guitar Riffs That Made Malcolm Young Stand Out :
- Simplicity: Young's riffs were often built on a foundation of just a few notes, but he was able to use those notes to create incredibly memorable and powerful melodies.
- Power chords: Young was a master of using power chords, which are two-note chords that are formed by playing the root and fifth notes of a scale. Power chords are often used in hard rock and heavy metal because they create a thick, distorted sound.
- Pentatonic scales: Young also frequently used pentatonic scales, which are five-note scales that are often associated with blues and rock music. Pentatonic scales are easy to play and they have a catchy, bluesy sound.
- Driving rhythm: Young's riffs were always played with a steady, driving rhythm. This rhythm was essential to the energy and power of AC/DC's music.
Generations of fans have enjoyed AC/DC's albums. Young's unforgettable guitar riffs will continue to inspire musicians. He left a lasting mark on rock history as a founding member of AC/DC through his talented songwriting. Malcolm Young's career shows how simple rock riffs can make classic songs when played with passion.
