TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

AC/DC producer and Australian music pioneer George Young dies

News Desk (Agence France-Presse)
Sydney, Australia
Mon, October 23, 2017

Share This Article

Change Size

AC/DC producer and Australian music pioneer George Young dies Young shot to fame in the 1960s as a member of Sydney-based The Easybeats and became an established songwriter, penning classics like 'Love is in the Air' and 'Friday on my Mind' with long-time collaborator Harry Vanda. But he was best known for his behind-the-scenes work helping create one of the biggest rock acts in the world, co-producing many AC/DC albums including 'Let There Be Rock', 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap', and 'High Voltage'. (Shutterstock/Radu Bercan / Shutterstock.com)

A

ustralian music pioneer George Young, a driving force behind AC/DC which was fronted by his brothers Angus and Malcolm, has died aged 70, the band and his publishing house said Monday.

Young shot to fame in the 1960s as a member of Sydney-based The Easybeats and became an established songwriter, penning classics like "Love is in the Air" and "Friday on my Mind" with long-time collaborator Harry Vanda.

But he was best known for his behind-the-scenes work helping create one of the biggest rock acts in the world, co-producing many AC/DC albums including "Let There Be Rock", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap", and "High Voltage".

"It is with pain in our heart that we have to announce the passing of our beloved brother and mentor George Young," the band said in a statement.

"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."

Read also: Album Review: 'Wonderful Wonderful' by The Killers

George was a teenager when he emigrated from Scotland to Australia with his brothers and was the first to win acclaim as a guitarist for the extremely popular The Easybeats.

After the band broke up, Young and Vanda concentrated on writing and producing pop and rock songs for other artists under the umbrella of Albert Productions.

"George was a pioneer who, with close friends Harry Vanda and Ted Albert, created a new sound for the Australian music industry," said Albert chief executive David Albert.

"He will be missed."

Fellow Glaswegian and Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes also paid tribute, tweeting: "George Young RIP. What a huge loss for music. A great songwriter, producer and a great human being."

{

Your Opinion Counts

Your thoughts matter - share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.