Life and times of a rock god
Angus Young, founder and last original member left in AC/DC, is one of rock music’s greatest showmen. Jeff Apter, author of High Voltage: AC/DC’s Last Man Standing, tells Murray Scougall the Honest Truth about the legendary guitarist with Scottish roots
Why did you write the book?
I felt the time was right, especially in light of all the drama in AC/DC recently, with Angus’ brother Malcolm being diagnosed with dementia, drummer Phil Rudd placed under house arrest, Brian Johnson quitting their 2016 tour for fear of losing his hearing and bassist Cliff Williams calling it quits.
I wanted to learn how it came to be that Angus was the most resilient member of a band that’s been going for more than 40 years.
What were his early days in Glasgow like?
Angus was the youngest of eight and they grew up on the Cranhill estate. When the family relocated to Australia, their first home, the Villawood Migrant Hostel in outer Sydney, was similar to Cranhill at the time – rough, dangerous and police were constantly on call.
Why did the family decide to move?
Angus’ father William had trouble finding work in Glasgow. Other members of the family had already relocated to Oz.
How easy did Angus settle?
He was only eight, so probably easier than the rest of the family. Angus said the hardest thing to adjust to was the accent. However, the first thing he did upon arriving in Australia was throw up. It had been a long journey.
Did the family ever regret moving?
The siblings, especially big brother George, adapted quickly. Within a year or two he was a key member of The Easybeats.
How and when did Angus begin playing guitar?
He was about 10. His first guitar, such as it was, was a banjo restrung with six strings, not four. Then he moved on to a battered acoustic before buying his first Gibson. He’d play Gibsons throughout his career. Crucially, they were quite light, and Angus was never the biggest.
Would he have become a successful musician had he remained in Scotland?
Quite possibly, though the Easybeats would never have come to be, and they were a key influence on Angus and his musical career. George was a mentor and co-produced all the early AC/DC records. There’s a great story of Angus back from school to find the family home surrounded by screaming girls, who’d staked out George.
“This is interesting,” Angus thought to himself, taking in all the girls pining for his brother.
Why does he wear a school uniform on stage?
It started out of practicality, on a suggestion from his sister. Angus figured he didn’t get much use of his uniform at school – he was no honours student – so he might as well use it on stage. The uniform was, and still is, like Superman’s cape – once he’s in costume, it gives him a licence to be the wildman you see on stage, a character totally unlike the offstage Angus, who is reserved, a teetotaller and not one for red carpets. He’s a private man but the uniform changes that.
How much longer do you expect Angus and AC/DC to continue?
Angus has never experienced anything other than the world of AC/DC. He has no children and no real commitments away from the band (his wife Ellen is also involved with AC/DC).
Ingrained in Angus is the sense that, if he doesn’t play a show, he doesn’t eat that night. He has felt that way ever since the band started and despite his massive wealth, he hasn’t been able to shake off what is a typically working-class mindset.
So I think if Angus can work out a way to keep the band going, he will do it. He’s only 62, considerably younger than most of the Rolling Stones.
Jeff’s book is published by Nero on October 19