Angus Young Biography

Rock’s most influential guitarist, Angus Young, is still wild and crazy on- and off-stage after 35 years with AC/DC!

Angus Young: Beginnings
Angus Young was born Angus McKinnon Young on March 31, 1955, in Glasgow, Scotland, to parents Margaret and William Young. Angus was one of eight children and the youngest of the four – Malcolm, George, and Alex – who later became musicians. When Angus Young was 6 years old, he began playing a neighbor’s guitar. After Angus Young and his family moved to Sydney, Australia, in 1963, Angus Young became serious about learning guitar and bought his own Gibson SG. Both Angus and older brother Malcolm Young received guitar lessons from older brother George, who would often go out on tour with his band, the Easybeats.

Angus Young: Other Interests
Angus Young dropped out of school at 15 to pursue other interests, which included starting a band. Angus Young joined the local group Kantuckee as guitarist. The group later recorded a demo of the song “Evie” by Stevie Wright, a member of the Easybeats. Kantuckee later changed its name to Tantrum. After hearing about Angus Young’s wild performances with Tantrum, Malcolm Young asked his brother to start a band with him. The two formed what would become the legendary rock band AC/DC in 1973.

Angus Young: Early AC/DC
Angus and Malcolm Young chose the name AC/DC after seeing it on their older sister Margaret Young’s sewing machine. Angus and Malcolm Young believed that “AC/DC” – the conversion of alternating electrical current into direct current – perfectly conveyed the band’s own guitar-driven intensity and powerful stage presence. The first AC/DC lineup included Angus Young on lead guitar, Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, vocalist Dave Evans, Larry Van Kriedt on bass and Colin Burgess on drums. “Can I Sit Next To You Girl” was AC/DC’s first single; the song would be re-recorded by later AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott.

Angus Young: Perpetual Schoolboy
Once again, Margaret Young’s influence could be felt on AC/DC when she suggested Angus Young wear his school uniform on stage. At the time, Angus Young had gone through several onstage costumes including Spider Man, Zorro and a gorilla. Angus Young’s schoolboy uniform stuck with AC/DC over its 35-year history and fans with AC/DC tickets loved it! While Angus Young may be over 50 years old today, the costumes and his wild-onstage antics – dropping to the floor, convulsing and spinning around – serve to keep the guitar legend young at heart.

Angus Young: History with AC/DC
Angus and Malcolm Young changed AC/DC’s lineup to include new singer Bon Scott, bassist Mark Evans and drummer Phil Rudd. In 1975, the new AC/DC lineup recorded its Australian debut album High Voltage and quickly followed with T.N.T., featuring famous AC/DC songs "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" and “The Jack.” AC/DC has been going non-stop ever since. AC/DC’s heavy, guitar-driven sound coupled with racy and edgy lyrics have helped AC/DC sell millions of albums and countless AC/DC tickets to fans around the world.

In 1979, Angus Young and AC/DC released its signature rock album Highway to Hell with vocalist Bon Scott. The album opened America’s doors to AC/DC, selling millions of copies of Highway to Hell and tons of AC/DC tickets in the US. As the tragedy of Bon Scott’s death hit Angus Young and AC/DC, the band refused to give up. AC/DC came back to the rock scene, stronger than ever with new singer Brian Johnson and released Back in Black. The album cemented AC/DC’s place in rock history and helped sell plenty of AC/DC tickets worldwide.
Angus Young: Back on AC/DC Tour
Much to the delight of fans with AC/DC tickets, Angus Young and AC/DC have returned to the rock scene with their 15th studio album Black Ice, featuring the single “Rock ’n’ Roll Train.” As a testament to AC/DC’s popularity, many tour dates for the new Black Ice World sold out in a matter of minutes. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the crowd with premium AC/DC tickets from OnlineTickets.com today!