George Young was a prominent Scottish-born Australian musician, songwriter, and record producer best known as a founding member of the influential 1960s rock band The Easybeats and as part of the renowned songwriting and production duo Vanda & Young alongside Harry Vanda.
Born George Redburn Young on November 6, 1946, in Glasgow, Scotland, he emigrated to Sydney, Australia, with much of his family in 1963 as a teenager.
He became a naturalized Australian citizen and played a pivotal role in shaping Australian rock music.
Young is also widely recognized as the older brother and mentor to Malcolm Young and Angus Young, the founding members of the iconic hard rock band AC/DC, for which he produced several early albums and provided crucial guidance that helped launch their career.
He passed away on October 22, 2017, at the age of 70.
Siblings
George came from a large musical family with eight siblings, many of whom were involved in music to varying degrees.
His parents were William Young and Margaret Young.
His eldest brother was Stephen Young (born June 24, 1933; died 1989), whose son Stevie Young later joined AC/DC as a rhythm guitarist to replace Malcolm.
Another elder brother was John Young (born May 17, 1937), who migrated to Australia separately and played guitar early on.
Alexander Young (also known as George Alexander, born December 28, 1938; died August 4, 1997) stayed in the UK during the family’s emigration and pursued a music career, including with the band Grapefruit.
His only sister was Margaret Horsburgh (born May 2, 1935; died 2019).
Brother William Young Jr. (born December 15, 1940; died 2011) also emigrated with the family.
His younger brothers were Malcolm Young (born January 6, 1953; died November 18, 2017) and Angus Young (born March 31, 1955), who achieved global fame as the core of AC/DC.
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Career
Young’s career began in earnest after settling in Australia, where he formed The Easybeats in 1964, serving as rhythm guitarist and contributing significantly to songwriting.
The band became one of Australia’s most successful acts of the era, achieving international fame with hits like “Friday on My Mind,” co-written by Young and Vanda.
Following The Easybeats’ dissolution in 1969, Young teamed up with bandmate Harry Vanda to form Vanda & Young, a prolific songwriting and production partnership.
They produced hits for other artists, including “Love Is in the Air” for John Paul Young (unrelated), and formed the studio project Flash and the Pan, which gained a cult following.
Young played a vital behind-the-scenes role in AC/DC’s rise, producing their first five albums, including landmark releases like High Voltage, T.N.T., and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and offering mentorship to his brothers.
His production work helped define AC/DC’s raw, high-energy sound.
Young largely stepped away from active music in the 1990s but left a lasting legacy in Australian rock.
Accolades
Young and Harry Vanda were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1988 for their work as songwriters and producers.
The Easybeats, in which Young was a key member, were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2005.
His influence on AC/DC’s early success and his role in pioneering Australian rock earned him widespread respect in the music industry.
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