AC/DC’s Malcolm Young has dementia, family says

Rolling Stone
Kory Grow, Rolling Stone
2 minute read
Published 12:46 PM EDT, Wed October 1, 2014
AC/DC has been one of the hardest-rocking -- and longest-lasting -- bands on the scene. The group formed in 1973 in Sydney, Australia. Here's a look back at the rockers through the years:
AC/DC has been one of the hardest-rocking -- and longest-lasting -- bands on the scene. The group formed in 1973 in Sydney, Australia. Here's a look back at the rockers through the years:
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The band hangs out with their manager Michael Browning, right, in 1976.
The band hangs out with their manager Michael Browning, right, in 1976.
Dick Barnatt/Redferns/Getty Images
Angus Young sits on Bon Scott's shoulders while performing at the Town Hall in St. Albans, England, in 1976. Young is known for performing in a schoolboy uniform.
Angus Young sits on Bon Scott's shoulders while performing at the Town Hall in St. Albans, England, in 1976. Young is known for performing in a schoolboy uniform.
Michael Putland/Getty Images
AC/DC performs at the Kursaal Ballroom in England in 1977.
AC/DC performs at the Kursaal Ballroom in England in 1977.
Estate Of Keith Morris/Redferns/Getty Images
Left to right: Phillip Rudd, Angus Young, Mark Evans, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott pose for a photo in 1977. Scott, who was the lead singer of the band in the '70s, died in 1980.
Left to right: Phillip Rudd, Angus Young, Mark Evans, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott pose for a photo in 1977. Scott, who was the lead singer of the band in the '70s, died in 1980.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Angus Young performs in Chicago in 1979.
Angus Young performs in Chicago in 1979.
Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images
Devoted fans wait in the cold and snow to buy tickets for AC/DC's Denver show in 1982.
Devoted fans wait in the cold and snow to buy tickets for AC/DC's Denver show in 1982.
Dave Buresh/The Denver Post/Getty Images
The band poses for a photo at a bar in Rhode Island in 1985.
The band poses for a photo at a bar in Rhode Island in 1985.
Ebet Roberts/Redferns/Getty Images
AC/DC performs at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, in 1986.
AC/DC performs at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, in 1986.
Larry Busacca Archive/Getty Images
Brian Johnson and Angus Young perform in Leiden, Netherlands, in 1991. Johnson took over as lead singer and sang on AC/DC's biggest hits, including "Back in Black" and "You Shook Me All Night Long."
Brian Johnson and Angus Young perform in Leiden, Netherlands, in 1991. Johnson took over as lead singer and sang on AC/DC's biggest hits, including "Back in Black" and "You Shook Me All Night Long."
redferns/Getty images
The "Hells Bells" bell is seen on stage at an AC/DC concert in 2000.
The "Hells Bells" bell is seen on stage at an AC/DC concert in 2000.
Bob King/Redferns/Getty Images
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, center, poses with AC/DC at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2003.
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, center, poses with AC/DC at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2003.
KMazur/WireImage/Getty images
The band shoots the video for their song "Rock 'n' Roll Train" in London in 2008. The group's 2008 album "Black Ice" was the second-biggest album of the year, with 6 million sold.
The band shoots the video for their song "Rock 'n' Roll Train" in London in 2008. The group's 2008 album "Black Ice" was the second-biggest album of the year, with 6 million sold.
Mick Hutson/Redferns/Getty Images
Angus Young performs with the band onstage in Melbourne in 2010.
Angus Young performs with the band onstage in Melbourne in 2010.
Martin Philbey/Redferns/GEtty images
Aussie rock legends AC/DC

Story highlights

Malcolm Young will not be returning to AC/DC

Founding band member is not on forthcoming album, "Rock or Bust"

"The family thanks you for respecting their privacy," clan said in statement

RollingStone.com  — 

The family of founding AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young has confirmed the illness that forced the 61-year-old to quit the band.

“Malcolm is suffering from dementia and the family thanks you for respecting their privacy,” they said in a statement, according to People.

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The group had previously announced in April that Young would be taking a break from the band and that it would be recording a new record without him. When AC/DC announced that it would be putting out the record, “Rock or Bust,” this fall, they confirmed that Young would not be returning to the band, “due to the nature of Malcolm’s condition.” They did not go into the specifics of the illness.

Young’s nephew, Stevie Young, played rhythm guitar in Malcolm’s stead on “Rock or Bust.” He will also be filling in for the elder Young on the group’s upcoming world tour in 2015.

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“We miss Malcolm, obviously,” AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson told Classic Rock in July at a time when the band was optimistic about the guitarist’s return. “He’s a fighter. He’s in (the) hospital, but he’s a fighter. We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll get strong again. … Stevie, Malcolm’s nephew, was magnificent, but when you’re recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn’t well, it’s difficult. But I’m sure (Malcolm) was rooting for us.”

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“Rock or Bust” will feature 11 new AC/DC songs when it comes out on December 2. In September, the band began teasing the song “Play Ball” in ads for Major League Baseball’s Postseason campaign on Turner Sports. (Turner Sports is a division of Time Warner, as is CNN.)

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