George Young, a co-founder for the legendary rock band The Easybeats, Flash & The Pan and co-producer of the early AC/DC albums, has died at age 70.
George is the brother of Malcolm and Angus Young of AC/DC. Together with his Easybeats co-founder Harry Vanda, George produced the first five AC/DC studio albums, the live album ‘If You Want Blood’. He came back for 1988’s ‘Blow Up Yopur Video’ and then co-produced one more AC/DC album ‘Stiff Upper Lip’ in 2000.
A statement from AC/DC reads:
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.
As a musician, songwriter, producer, advisor and much, much more, you could not ask for a more dedicated and professional man.
As a brother, you could not ask for a finer brother. For all he did and gave to us throughout his life, we will always remember him with gratitude and hold him close to our hearts.
George Young was born in Glasgow on 6 November 1946. The family migrated to Australia when he was a teenager and Malcolm and Angus were still kids.
George formed The Easybeats with Harry Vanda and Stevie Wright as well as Dick Diamonde in 1964. Their first single ‘For My Woman’ was released in 1965.
The hits followed fast. ‘She’s So Fine’ was the band’s first Top 10 peaking at no 3. ‘Wedding Ring’, ‘Sad And Lonely and Blue’, ‘Women (Make You Feel Alright)’, ‘Come and See Her’, ‘Sorry’ and the ‘Friday On My Mind’ were all Top 10 hits.
‘Friday On My Mind’ established The Easybeats internationally. The song was the first Australia written and produced song to become a hit in the USA and UK. In the 70s, David Bowie covered the song oh his ‘Pin-Ups’ album.
After The Easybeats Harry and George went behind the scenes and formed Albert Productions with Ted Albert in 1973. As well as the AC/DC albums Vanda and Young worked on albums for The Angels, Rose Tattoo, Ted Mulry Gang, Stevie Wright and John Paul Young.
In 1976, craving a pop outlet once again, Harry and George became Flash & The Pan and again generated international hits with ‘Hey St Peter’, ‘Down Among The Dead Men’, ‘Walking In The Rain’ (later covered by Grace Jones) and ‘Waiting For A Train’.
Before Flash and the Pan and AC/DC George Young, Malcolm Young and Angus Young formed the Marcus Hook Roll Band. The band released one album before splitting and the younger Youngs then going on to form AC/DC.
George Young RIP What a huge loss for music. A great songwriter, producer and a great human being
— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) October 23, 2017
