"Not all of us can be Angus. Somebody has to be Malcolm."

[snowywolfowl]

Many years ago I was in a small band made up of fellow employees that came together to play a workplace function. While the function itself was cancelled and the band soon broke up afterwards, it was a fun time. Being the third guitarist because the other two were really good I just concentrated on laying down a solid rhythm for them to jump off of, and I was perfectly happy to do it. Why? Because as I said in the title, somebody has to be "Malcolm".

Sadly I've learned that Malcom Young of AC/DC is leaving the group permanently because he has dementia. Reports I've read indicate that he's deteriorated to the extent that he's unable to care for himself, let alone perform. That saddens me for a lot of reasons. I'm sad that the glue of one of rock's most celebrated sounds has to leave us on terms not of his own choosing, and I'm sad that his solid playing is no longer able to be enjoyed live or in new studio albums. But I think mostly I'm sad because dementia is such a sad fate for anyone and their loved ones to endure, whether its a great rhythm guitarist or a beloved grandparent.

I tried to find a video or track that showed him off a bit but couldn't find anything. You know what though? That's ok. Malcolm Young wasn't a guitarist who you listened to, he was a musician you felt. :-)

Good luck Malcolm and thanks for the feelings.

Comments

[frualeydis.livejournal.com]

Very nicely written.

/Eva

[snowywolfowl.livejournal.com]

Thank you. It was a rather difficult post to write actually. I had a hard time getting the tone I wanted.

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

He's been referred to as AC/DC's "secret weapon," because he was so solid, and because who gives glory to the rhythm guitarist when the lead guitarist is so celebrated? It's been my opinion, as someone who enjoys all of the Bon Scott elpees, that AC/DC's entire rhythm section is a secret weapon, because there's magic in that unassuming, four-on-the-floor thump, over which Angus flies and Brian Johnson shrieks.

I didn't know that Malcolm's dementia was already that advanced. The poor chap.

[snowywolfowl.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with you about that rhythm section being special. I sometimes will play along to "Thunderstruck" and "Big Gun" and other than that opening lick to Thunderstruck, I honestly just want to lock in and groove along with that magic. Angus deserves all the accolades he gets but its the foundation that really makes me move.

What a lousy hand to be dealt. :(

[bonnie-halfelvn.livejournal.com]

I've always found the relationship between all the instruments in a rock band, and especially a two-guitar band, to be fascinating, and it's often the riff of the rhythm guitar player, and seldom the solos, that reel me in.

I just saw where they've found what causes ALS, a fatal neuromuscular disease. And they're hoping it may be a springboard to finding treatments or cures for it and other diseases of the brain.

I don't know that it will be soon enough to help Malcolm or a friend of mine with ALS, but I hope these terrible diseases can be eradicated soon.