The iconic guitar player left the band earlier this month due to poor health. Malcolm Young’s family now confirms he is suffering from dementia.
In early September, we reported that AC/DC’s Malcolm Young had officially left the band following fervent rumors among music publications that he was thinking of retiring.
Young’s family has now confirmed what many of us suspected: the guitarist has been diagnosed with dementia.
For anyone who has followed news about Young’s illness, his diagnosis is part of a long string of health troubles. In April, Young supposedly suffered from a stroke, leaving him unable to remember how to play many of the songs in the AC/DC catalog. Reports said a blood clot on the left side of the guitarist’s brain was affecting his memory.
In a statement to People, Young’s family said:
Malcolm is suffering from dementia and the family thanks you for respecting their privacy.
The AC/DC clan announced they would continue on without Young earlier this month, although this is the first time they have confirmed the exact cause of Young’s illness.
The band is all too familiar with losing key, founding members. Their original singer Bon Scott died in 1980, at the peak of the band’s commercial success. Scott died due to complications from alcohol poisoning. The rest of the band decided to continue on without him, finding new singer Brian Johnson to take the mic. They paid tribute to their fallen frontman on their next album Back In Black.
In the past, Johnson said he would have liked to pay similar tribute to Malcolm Young on their upcoming record. He thought about calling the album Man Down as a nod to Young’s declining health.
It’s a bit negative and it was probably just straight from the heart. I like that.
And who will take Young’s place on the upcoming album? Young’s nephew, Stevie Young. Stevie Young played rhythm guitar on the band’s latest record Rock Or Bust. This is the first time in the band’s four-decade long career that Malcolm Young will not be featured on an album.
Malcolm Young is one of the most prolific members of the famous rock band. He wrote many of the band’s best-known songs along with his brother, lead guitarist Angus Young.
Malcolm Young has been transferred to a nursing home where he is currently receiving full-time care for his condition. He will not be returning to the band in the future, most likely leaving rhythm guitar duties to his nephew permanently.
The band’s newest record Rock Or Bust is set for release on December 1. AC/DC is also planning a 40th anniversary tour, with Stevie Young taking over where his uncle left off on the road.
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