Guitarist Malcolm Mitchell Young Ex-AC/DC/Fans farewell AC/DC cy/died a...

Fans farewell AC/DC co founder Malcolm Young in Sydney/died at 64



Grieving friends and family of the late Malcolm Young have farewelled the legendary Australian guitarist at his funeral in Sydney.



The AC/DC co-founder, 64, died on Saturday with his family by his bedside, after a three-year battle with dementia.



Young's casket was carried from St Mary's Cathedral, in Sydney, where the funeral for the Australian music icon was held, as his brother Angus stood clutching his guitar.



Fellow rock stars, including Gary 'Angry' Anderson, Brian Johnson and ex-AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd, were there to mourn the passing of the man widely considered the best rhythm guitarist of all time.



The cathedral entrance was also lined with doting fans who wanted to pay their respects to the late superstar.



Rocker Jimmy Barnes attended with wife Jane, with the couple pictured consoling each other outside the cathedral.



Malcolm's wife, Linda, and son Ross were pictured side-by-side as they left the funeral, with Ross wearing dark sunglasses.



AC/DC's former lead singer Brian Johnson appeared inconsolable at the funeral alongside his wife Brenda, with the couple walking hand in hand as they left St Mary's Cathedral.



Cliff Williams, who retired as AC/DC's bassist in 2016, also joined his fellow bandmates in farewelling the legendary guitarist.



While Harry Vanda, who helped form the Easybeats with Malcolm's older brother George Young, was also among the mourners.



Guitar picks inscribed with the date of Young's birth and death were given to mourners as they entered the church.



While Angus Young was pictured carrying his brother's beloved black guitar - nicknamed 'the beast' - following the service.



Members of the Young family chose not to speak during the service, however a statement in the program thanked everyone for their 'love, support and overwhelming outpouring of kindness'.



Although the singer's life involved plenty of rock songs, a cathedral choir sung traditional tunes including Amazing Grace and The Lord is My Shepherd.



Following the service, the procession was led by the Scots College Pipes and Drums as it went down College Street.



Known for the powerhouse riffs that propelled the Australian group from pubs to global superstardom, Young had been suffering from dementia for the past three years.



He was replaced by nephew Stevie for the band's last tour promoting the 2014 album Rock Or Bust. 



'Renowned for his musical prowess, Malcolm was a songwriter, guitarist, performer, producer and visionary who inspired many,' the statement read.



'From the outset, he knew what he wanted to achieve and, along with his younger brother, took to the world stage giving their all at every show. Nothing less would do for their fans.



'He always stuck to his guns and did and said exactly what he wanted,' an ACDC statement said.



'He took in great pride in all that he endeavored. His loyalty to the fans was unsurpassed.



'He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever.'





Apart from a brief absence from AC/DC in 1988, Young was with the band from the beginning in November 1973 until his permanent retirement in 2014 because of health complications.



As one of eight children, Young was born in Glasgow in Scotland in 1953 but ten years later he immigrated to Australia before relocating the band to the UK in 1976.



Young was described as the 'driving force' of the band and was responsible for the band's sound and music.



The hard rock band was so huge Young and the other members of AC/DC were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.





AC/DC's seventh studio album Back in Black was released in 1980 as a tribute to Bon Scott, the band's original lead singer who died of alcohol poisoning.



The hit album sold 50 million copies, making it the second highest-selling album worldwide behind Michael Jackson's Thriller.



Again, their album The Razors Edge sold between 10 and 12 million copies and made it five times multi-platinum in America.



Their success didn't end there with album Black Ice making it number one in 29 countries.



During the Blow Up Your Video World Tour, Young left to work on his drinking issue and eventually became sober and returned to AC/DC.



However, in 2014 Young was admitted into a nursing home to receive round the clock care.



Young leaves behind his wife O'Linda and two children.