Brian Johnson pays tribute to AC/DC's Malcolm Young: ‘I’m going to miss him so much’
Brian Johnson has released a statement paying tribute to his AC/DC band mate Malcolm Young.
In a poignant post on his official website under the title ‘For 32 years we stood side by side on stage’, Brian called the late rhythm guitarist a “genius” and said “his riffs have become legend, as has he.”
Alongside Malcolm’s influential musicianship, Brian praised his friend for being “humble” and he remembered the “great times” they shared over the decades.
The full post reads:
"For 32 years we stood side by side on stage. I am saddened by the passing of my friend Malcolm Young, I can’t believe he's gone.
"We had such great times on the road. I was always aware that he was a genius on guitar, his riffs have become legend, as has he. I send out my love and sympathy to his wife Linda, his children Kara and Ross, and Angus, who will all be devastated, as we all are. He has left a legacy that I don’t think many can match.
"He never liked the celebrity side of fame, he was too humble for that. He was the man who created AC/DC because he said there was no Rock & Roll out there.
"I am proud to have known him and call him a friend, and I'm going to miss him so much. I salute you, Malcolm Young."
Malcolm died aged 64 on Saturday (18th November) surrounded by his family after battling dementia for over three years.
In a post on AC/DC’s official website breaking the sad news, his younger sibling Angus said: "As his brother it is hard to express in words what he has meant to me during my life, the bond we had was unique and very special. He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever. Malcolm, job well done."
Since news of Malcolm’s death broke at around 1pm on Saturday, stars including Tony Iommi, Alex Lifeson, Eddie Van Halen, Dave Grohl, Mike Portnoy, Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper, David Coverdale, Ozzy Osbourne, Lars Ulrich, Joe Elliott, Slash, Duff McKagan, Dave Mustaine and Brian May have saluted the music legend. You can read a selection of the tributes here.
Guns N’ Roses and Foo Fighters were also among the bands paying musical tribute to Malcolm over the weekend.
Planet Rock will be playing AC/DC’s seminal classic album ‘Back In Black’ in its glorious entirety tonight (Monday 20th November) at 11pm in memory of Malcolm.