The newly retired AC/DC co-founder and guitarist is reportedly diagnosed with dementia and has been moved into a nursing home in Sydney.
- Sep 26, 2014
AceShowbiz - Malcolm Young, AC/DC's co-founder and former guitarist, has been diagnosed with dementia, sources close to his family tell The Sydney Morning Herald. According to the sources, Malcolm has been moved into full-time care in a nursing home facility in Sydney.
The sources say of the 61-year-old musician, "If you were in the room with [Malcolm Young] and walked out, then came back in one minute later, he wouldn't remember who you are. He has a complete loss of short-term memory. His wife, Linda, has put him in full-time care."
The nursing home facilty is understood to be Lulworth House in Elizabeth Bay, where Australia's former prime minister, Gough Whitlam, resides and former president of the Australian Labor Party, Neville Wran, lived until his recent death.
AC/DC's former manager Michael Browning tells AAP of Malcolm's illness, "I have friends that are still involved and they keep me posted so I have known for a little while. I think it [Malcolm's illness] came on very suddenly."
Michael says of the band's announcement to replace Malcolm with his nephew Stevie Young, "I'll be interested to see how they shape up without Malcolm. I wish them all the best and hope they pull off a good album."
He continues, "It's certainly a difficult one for them because [Malcolm] was the musical genius behind the band and difficult to imagine them without him, quite honestly. I'm sure [Stevie] will be fine in a live situation, as to where that leaves them on a recording level, who knows?"
Malcolm's retirement was announced on AC/DC's official website on Wednesday. The statement read, "Earlier this year AC/DC released a statement explaining that due to illness, Malcolm would be taking a break from the band. Unfortunately, due to the nature of Malcolm's condition, he will not be returning to the band. Stevie Young, nephew of founding members Angus and Malcolm Young, plays rhythm guitar on 'Rock or Bust' and will accompany the band on tour."
