Easybeats guitarist, AC/ DC key man dies
CREDITED with transforming Australian music in the 1960s and 70s, Easybeats guitarist, pioneering songwriter and AC/ DC producer George Young has died.
Young, the older brother of AC/ DC stalwarts Malcolm and Angus, was 70.
“George was a pioneer who, with close friends Harry Vanda and Ted Albert, created a new sound for the Australian music industry,” his Australian music publishing and recording house Alberts said in a statement.
His collaborator on so many of Australia’s favourite songs left a simple message to his co- writer.
“Rest in Peace my friend,” Vanda wrote.
AC/ DC posted a heartfelt message on its official website: “It is with pain in our heart that we have to announce the passing of our beloved brother and mentor George Young. Without his help and guidance there would not have been an AC/ DC.”
Young was born in Glasgow and emigrated to Australia in 1963. A meeting at Sydney’s Villawood Migrant Hostel sparked the formation of The Easybeats in 1964, comprising Young, Stevie Wright, Harry Vanda, Gordon “Snowy” Fleet and Dick Diamonde.
They were the first Australian rock’n’roll act to score an international hit with the 1966 single Friday On My Mind, reaching No. 1 in Australia, No. 6 in the UK and 16 in the US. Written by Vanda and Young, Friday On My Mind was The Easybeats’ fifth No. 1 in Australia. dear