AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young dead at 64

Sara M Moniuszko | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young has died AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young has died. He was 64 years old. Young helped start AC/DC with his brother Angus in 1973.

Malcolm Young, the guitarist and co-founder of Australian hard rock band AC/DC, has died at age 64, the band announced Saturday in a statement.

"Today it is with deep heartfelt sadness that AC/DC has to announce the passing of Malcolm Young," the statement on their website read. "He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever. Malcolm, job well done."

Young died peacefully on Saturday with his family by his side, according to an additional statement issued to Australia's SBS.

"Renowned for his musical prowess, Malcolm was a songwriter, guitarist, performer, producer and visionary who inspired many," the statement read. "From the outset, he knew what he wanted to achieve and, along with his younger brother, took to the world stage giving their all at every show. Nothing less would do for their fans."

Young was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on Jan. 6, 1953. He helped form AC/DC in Sydney, Australia, with his brother Angus in 1973. The band released their debut album High Voltage in 1975 and later became known for hits such as Highway to Hell, Thunderstruck and Back in Black.

The band's 1981 album For Those About to Rock We Salute You was their first to reach number one in the United States.

Young was the rhythm guitarist for the band until 2014, when his health began to decline due to dementia, the symptoms of which began appearing while the group was making their 2008 album Black Ice.

Young, who was also a vocalist and songwriter, continued to contribute song ideas when the writing process for the band's 2014 album Rock or Bust began; the siblings are credited as co-writers throughout.

Asked about Young's condition in November 2014, Angus told USA TODAY, "He himself is happy. He's getting a lot of care. His family is with him all the time, and they're strong."

"There were ideas that Malcolm and I myself had for years, that we hadn't finished," Angus added. "What he always believed was, 'Let's keep going, as long as we can do it.' He always had that spirit, because the band was his baby."

AC/DC was remarkably consistent for over 40 years with its mix of driving hard rock and bluesy shuffles, selling over 200 million albums, surviving the loss of its first singer, Bon Scott (who died of acute alcohol poisoning in 1980), and creating one of the greatest rock records ever in Back in Black, the world's second best-selling album behind Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Contributing: The Associated Press