The Advice From Malcolm Young That Helped Keep AC/DC Going
AC/DC has always carried a sense of raw electricity. Much of that comes from Angus Young, whose schoolboy uniform and relentless stage presence turned him into one of rock’s most recognizable performers. Yet behind that spectacle stood a quieter force. Rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, Angus’s older brother, helped shape the band’s direction from the very beginning.
The group emerged in the mid-1970s at a time when rock music was shifting. Disco ruled the charts, and newer movements like punk and new wave were beginning to redefine what guitars could sound like. AC/DC took a different approach. The Young brothers leaned into stripped-down, hard-hitting rock built on sharp riffs and steady rhythm.
From the start, Malcolm was the band’s backbone. His playing rarely chased the spotlight, but it anchored everything around it. That steady presence would later become even more important, especially during the moments when the band faced tragedy, change, and uncertainty.
The Young Brothers’ Blueprint for Hard Rock
Before AC/DC became a global institution, it was simply an idea shared between two brothers. Angus handled the flashier guitar parts, but Malcolm designed the musical engine underneath. His rhythm work gave the band its punch, turning simple riffs into something powerful and unmistakable.
Even the band’s name reflected the brothers’ shared vision. They reportedly found “AC/DC” printed on a sewing machine owned by their sister Margaret. The abbreviation for alternating current and direct current seemed perfect for a band built on energy and movement. It captured the spirit of the music they wanted to make.
That formula proved effective. By the late 1970s, AC/DC had become one of the defining hard rock acts of the era. Albums like Highway to Hell (1979) pushed the band to international fame, while the follow-up Back in Black (1980) would later become one of the best-selling records in music history.
Malcolm’s Simple Rule: “Keep Going”
AC/DC’s story has never been free from hardship. The death of singer Bon Scott in 1980 forced the band to make a painful decision about whether to continue. Later decades brought lineup changes, shifting trends in rock music, and personal challenges within the group.
Another major turning point arrived in 2014 when Malcolm Young stepped away from the band due to severe health problems. He had already been battling lung cancer and was later diagnosed with dementia. The decline was difficult for those close to him, especially Angus, who had built his entire career alongside his brother.
Despite his condition, Malcolm remained focused on the band’s future. Angus later recalled how his brother kept repeating the same message: keep going. Even while undergoing treatment during the Black Ice tour period, Malcolm continued offering musical ideas and encouragement whenever he could.
Carrying Malcolm’s Spirit Forward
After Malcolm’s passing in 2017, the weight of that advice stayed with Angus. Instead of closing the chapter on AC/DC, he treated the band’s future as a continuation of the work they had started together decades earlier. Malcolm’s influence still guided how he approached writing and recording.
That connection became especially clear during the creation of AC/DC’s 2020 album Power Up. Many of the songs were built from ideas Malcolm had worked on years earlier. Angus carefully shaped the material in a way he believed his brother would have appreciated.
Even now, Angus often judges new riffs by imagining Malcolm’s reaction. The thought is simple: would Mal like this one? In that sense, the band still moves forward under the guidance of the rhythm guitarist who helped build it. Malcolm’s advice was never complicated. He believed the music should keep going—and so it has.
