Can AC/DC Stay “Young” Without Their Secret Weapon?

No matter what their age AC/DC has always been able to maintain a no-holds barred, teenage-like youthful energy with every new album and tour. For the first time, however, they will be called upon to do it without their brother in blood and in song Malcolm Young.

For months we heard the news that Malcolm would not be with the band due to health issues but no one knew exactly what his ailment was. Finally the news, which leaked from a family member to an Australian newspaper late last week, was confirmed by the Young family this week that he is suffering from Dementia. It was heartbreaking for me as an AC/DC fan to read those words. I can just imagine how hard it's been for Malcolm's family, which includes his long-time bandmate and lead guitarist Angus Young.

If you are not a serious AC/DC fan you may not even be aware of Malcolm's importance to the group. He is no doubt their secret weapon. In fact, Malcolm is said to be the guy who likes it that way. He shuns the spotlight and would rather have it shine on frontman Brian Johnson and his brother Angus.

But ask Malcolm's bandmates what they think of him and they could write a book. He's either written or co-written 74 songs for AC/DC since 1973 including the band's most popular song "You Shook Me All Night Long". You may recall that the 80s marked a decline in AC/DC's commercial dominance and there was a reason. That was when Malcolm was having serious problems with alcohol addiction. And, surprise, surprise, as soon as he got clean and sober he and AC/DC rebounded with the hugely successful Razor's Edge album in 1990. Malcolm contributed to the two biggest songs on that album, "Thunderstruck" and "Money Talks".

So now we come upon a new chapter in the band's storied history. A brand new AC/DC album called Rock Or Bust is due out in late November with the first single called "Play Ball". What I haven't read anywhere is whether Malcolm had some input in the 11 new songs on the album. It's possible he did write some music before his health began to decline. We'll find out soon enough when the song credits are made public. Not that it matters at the end of the day, however. Malcolm Young's contribution to AC/DC and rock 'n' roll is carved in stone.

Below is the impressive list of AC/DC songs Malcolm has either written or co-written:

A
Ain't No Fun (Waiting Round to Be a Millionaire)
Anything Goes
Are You Ready

B
Back in Black
Ballbreaker
Bedlam in Belgium
Big Balls
Big Gun
Big Jack
Brain Shake

C
Can I Sit Next to You Girl
Can't Stand Still
Cover You in Oil

D
Danger
Deep in the Hole
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Dog Eat Dog

E
Evil Walks

F
Flick of the Switch
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

G
Girls Got Rhythm
Given the Dog a Bone
Go Zone
Got You by the Balls
Guns for Hire

H
Hail Caesar
Hard as a Rock
Have a Drink on Me
Heatseeker
Hells Bells
High Voltage
Highway to Hell

I
If You Dare
If You Want Blood (You've Got It)
Inject the Venom
It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)

J
Jailbreak

K
Kicked in the Teeth

L
Let Me Put My Love Into You
Let There Be Rock
Let's Get It Up
Live Wire
Love at First Feel

M
Money Made
Moneytalks

N
Nervous Shakedown
Night Prowler

P
Playing with Girls
Problem Child
Put the Finger on You

R
R.I.P. (Rock in Peace)
Ride On
Rock 'N Roll Train
Rock 'n' Roll Damnation
Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution
Rockin' in the Parlour

S
Safe in New York City
Satellite Blues
Send for the Man
Shake Your Foundations
Shoot to Thrill
Shot Down in Flames
Stiff Upper Lip

T
T.N.T.
That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll
There's Gonna Be Some Rockin'
This House Is on Fire
Thunderstruck
Touch Too Much

W
Walk All Over You
What Do You Do for Money Honey
Who Made Who
Whole Lotta Rosie

Y
You Shook Me All Night Long