When Malcolm Young Died, What Was His Net Worth?
Malcolm Young Net Worth explained with verified figures, income sources, and how AC/DC royalties shaped his financial legacy over time.
Apr 28, 202675 Shares7.5K Views
Malcolm Mitchell Young was born on 6 January 1953 in Glasgow, Scotland. He was the seventh of eight children born to William and Margaret Young. His father, William Young, had served as an RAF mechanic and later worked as a spray painter, but by the early 1950s he was unemployed. The family lived in the Cranhill public housing estate in Glasgow through Malcolm’s childhood.
In 1963, when Malcolm was ten years old, the Young family emigrated from Scotland to Sydney, Australia under the Australian government’s postwar “Ten Pound Pom” assisted-migration scheme. They initially lived in a hotel in Burwood (a suburb of Sydney) and briefly in other rented homes. By 1965 they had moved into a permanent family home at 4 Burleigh Street in Burwood. Malcolm attended the local Burwood Primary School and later Ashfield Boys High School in Sydney.
Malcolm grew up in a musical family. His six-years-older brother George Young had already co-founded the popular 1960s band The Easybeats, and his younger brother Angus Young would also become a guitarist. In his youth, Malcolm taught himself guitar and developed an early interest in blues and rock music. He was influenced by artists such as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, and he also listened to blues and early rock and roll performers including Muddy Waters, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
| Key Fact | Verified Insight |
| Net Worth at Death | About $100M, mainly from royalties. |
| Primary Role in AC/DC | Rhythm guitarist and co-founder. |
| Songwriting Credits | Co-wrote most AC/DC songs. |
| Biggest Financial Success | Back in Black sold ~50M copies. |
| Main Income Sources | Albums, tours, and royalties. |
| Industry Recognition | Hall of Fame inductee (2003). |
| Long-Term Career Impact | Active on albums until 2014. |
| Final Musical Contributions | Co-wrote Power Up (2020). |
| Global Influence | Influenced rock and metal music. |
| Health and Retirement | Retired in 2014 due to illness. |
Early Career Moves And Entry Into The Music Industry
Malcolm Young began his music career in Australia in the early 1970s. In November 1973, at age 20, he and his younger brother Angus co-founded the hard rock band AC/DC. The Young brothers quickly began gigging and, by 1974, AC/DC’s first national tour was underway with singer Dave Evans. This early period saw Young honing his guitar and songwriting skills by playing energetic covers and developing the sound that would define the band.
Formation Of AC/DC And Malcolm Young’s Breakthrough
After forming AC/DC in Sydney, Malcolm and Angus secured songwriting credit on every AC/DC track. Rolling Stone notes that the Young brothers “would be credited as co-writers on every song the band recorded from their 1975 debut High Voltagethrough 2014’s Rock or Bust”.
Under original vocalist Bon Scott, AC/DC’s popularity grew with a string of Australian hits, and the band relocated to the UK in 1976 to reach a wider audience. The group’s first global breakthrough came in 1979 with Highway to Helland was cemented in 1980 by Back in Black, after Bon Scott’s death and replacement by Brian Johnson. These albums, co-written and performed by Malcolm Young, established AC/DC as international rock stars.
Malcolm Young’s Role As Rhythm Guitarist And Songwriter
In AC/DC, Malcolm Young served as the rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and chief songwriter. Band statements and media accounts emphasize his foundational role. AC/DC’s official tribute called him the band’s “driving force” and praised him as a “songwriter and visionary”. Likewise, ABC News described Malcolm though less flamboyant on stage than Angus as “the group’s musical force” on rhythm guitar.
He developed the chord-heavy, groove-oriented guitar style that anchored AC/DC’s sound. Angus Young himself underscored his brother’s influence, recalling that “this band was [Mal’s] baby, his life” and that Malcolm was always the one telling the band “You keep going”. This dedication helped keep AC/DC focused through decades of touring and recording.
Rise To Global Fame With AC/DC
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, AC/DC with Malcolm’s solid riffs and songwriting achieved massive worldwide success. The 1980 album Back in Blackbecame a cultural landmark, selling an estimated 50 million copies globally to become the second highest-selling album of all time. Such albums propelled AC/DC to arena status and cemented their legacy in hard rock.
The band’s popularity endured for decades; in 2010 AC/DC won their first Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance for the song “War Machine”. Malcolm Young remained active with AC/DC through these successes. He played on every AC/DC album until 2014, after which Rock or Bustwas the first album recorded without him, following his official retirement due to health concerns.
Major Career Milestones And Iconic Albums
Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Malcolm Young was central to AC/DC’s major milestones. Albums like For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)(1981) and Fly on the Wall(1985) continued the band’s string of high-charting releases. In 2008, AC/DC released Black Ice, their first studio album in seven years; it debuted at number one in multiple countries and sold millions of copies worldwide. Later, Powerage(1978), Ballbreaker(1995) and Stiff Upper Lip(2000) all featured Young’s songwriting.
On the global stage AC/DC set attendance records and achieved multi-platinum certifications internationally. Behind the scenes Young was also the band’s organizer and business brain, coordinating tours and production. In total, Malcolm Young contributed to the writing of dozens of iconic rock songs, and the band’s songwriting credits list his name on virtually every track from their first single through 2014.
Malcolm Young’s Influence On Rock Music
Malcolm Young’s guitar style and songwriting had a profound influence on rock music. He perfected a signature rhythm-guitar technique that was simple, powerful, and riff-driven, which countless hard rock and heavy metal acts have emulated. AC/DC’s success with songs like “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” and “You Shook Me All Night Long” inspired bands across genres.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame notes that AC/DC inspired countless musicians with their anthem-driven style, and Malcolm’s riffs and chord progressions are often cited as templates for classic rock radio staples. By keeping the band’s sound raw and energetic, Young helped shape the sound of heavy rock for generations to come.
Career Legacy And Long-Term Impact
Malcolm Young’s legacy is regarded as enduring and foundational to rock music. AC/DC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, recognizing the group’s influence and Young’s role as a co-founder and songwriter. Bandmates and commentators have emphasized the scope of his contribution. In announcing his death, AC/DC said that with “enormous dedication and commitment [he] was the driving force behind the band”.
Angus Young stated that he “leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever”. Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the greatest guitarists ranked the Young brothers together, highlighting Malcolm’s status among the guitar greats. His songs remain staples on classic rock radio, and subsequent AC/DC members continue to credit him as the architect of the band’s sound.
Final Years, Retirement, And Last Contributions
In later years Malcolm Young faced health challenges. He played his last concert with AC/DC in 2010 during the Black Icetour and was officially diagnosed with dementia in 2014. That September AC/DC announced he would be retiring from the band due to his condition. His nephew Stevie Young stepped in as rhythm guitarist. Malcolm Young passed away in November 2017.
Even after his death, his creative work continued to surface: AC/DC’s 2020 album Power Upwas built around riffs and song ideas he had co-written. Every track on that album carries a writing credit for Malcolm Young. Angus Young noted that even though Malcolm was not physically present, “he’s there with us in spirit” and believed Malcolm “would have been proud of” Power Up. In this way, Malcolm Young’s final musical contributions helped power AC/DC forward, ensuring that his influence and vision remain integral to the band’s ongoing legacy.
Malcolm Young Net Worth
At the time of Malcolm Young’s death, his net worth was estimated at $100 million. This figure is not officially verified by major financial authorities. His income primarily came from album sales, touring revenue, and songwriting royalties from AC/DC’s catalog.
FAQs
Q1: When Was Malcolm Young Born?
Malcolm Young was born on January 6, 1953, in Glasgow, Scotland. He later emigrated to Australia with his family in 1963.
Q2: What Was Malcolm Young’s Role In AC/DC?
He served as the rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist, and co-founder of AC/DC. He was also a key songwriter behind the band’s signature sound.
Q3: Who Replaced Malcolm Young In AC/DC?
After his retirement in 2014, Malcolm Young was replaced by his nephew, Stevie Young. Stevie had previously filled in during earlier tours.
Q4: What Illness Did Malcolm Young Have?
Malcolm Young was diagnosed with dementia in 2014. This condition led to his retirement from music later that year.
Q5: Was Malcolm Young Inducted Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame?
Yes, he was inducted as a member of AC/DC in 2003. The induction recognized the band’s global influence and musical legacy.
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