Malcolm Young (AC/DC)

Name: Malcolm Mitchell Young
Born: 6th January, 1953 (Glasgow, Scotland)

Profile: He is a musician, best known as a founding member, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter for the Australian hard rock band AC/DC. He has been with them since he co-founded the band in November 1973, apart from a brief absence in 1988. Malcolm has been described as the business and brains behind AC/DC. As the rhythm guitarist, he is responsible for the broad sweep of AC/DC's sound, developing many of the band's guitar riffs and co-writing the band's material.

History: Malcolm started learning guitar in an early age (back in those days, Melcolm's guitar was always played by his brother Angus without him knowing), he first played with a New South Wales band called "The Velvet Underground" playing cover versions of "T. Rex" and "The Rolling Stones" songs. After playing gigs with "The Velvet Underground" in most clubs, he and Angus formed AC/DC in 1973 and toured with singer Dave Evans a year later.

Guitar Player magazine has stated that the secret to Malcolm Young's guitar technique is playing open chords through a series of medium-sized amplifiers set to low volume with little or no gain. This is contrary to a common belief of rock guitarists that rhythm guitar should involve loud and overdriven power chords through large amplifiers.

Influences: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and B.B King

Axology: Gretsch 1963 Jet Firebird, Gretsch 1959 White Falcon and Marshall 100watt amplifiers

Signature song(s): Can I Sit Next To You Girl and You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC - Back in Black)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rJOpcMlyno