Few rock bands have undergone as many lineup changes as AC/DC while still sounding unmistakably themselves. Since forming in Sydney in 1973, the band has seen 18 musicians pass through its ranks, yet the core sound forged by the Young brothers has endured.
Total known AC/DC members (past and present): 18 · Original members (1973 lineup): 5 · Members still alive as of 2024: 6 · Deceased members: 4 · Years active: 1973–present · Current lineup size: 5
Quick snapshot
- Angus Young – lead guitar (since 1973) (Britannica (encyclopedic reference))
- Brian Johnson – lead vocals (since 1980) (Wikipedia (band member list))
- Cliff Williams – bass (since 1977, retired 2016–2020, returned) (iHeart (music news))
- Phil Rudd – drums (since 1975, multiple departures) (Wikipedia (band article))
- Stevie Young – rhythm guitar (since 2014) (Louder (music news))
- Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar (deceased 2017) (Wikipedia (biography))
- Angus Young – lead guitar (Britannica) (Wikipedia (biography))
- Larry Van Kriedt – bass (Wikipedia (band member list)) (Wikipedia (biography))
- Colin Burgess – drums (deceased 2023) (IMDb (band bio))
- Dave Evans – lead vocals (Britannica) (Wikipedia (biography))
- Bon Scott (vocals, 1974–1980) (Britannica (encyclopedic reference))
- Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar, 1973–2014) (Wikipedia (band article)) (Britannica (encyclopedic reference))
- Tony Currenti (drums, 1974–1975) (Wikipedia (band member list)) (Britannica (encyclopedic reference))
- Colin Burgess (drums, 1973–1974) (Britannica) (Britannica (encyclopedic reference))
- 1974: Dave Evans replaced by Bon Scott (Britannica)
- 1980: Bon Scott replaced by Brian Johnson (Britannica)
- 2014: Malcolm Young replaced by Stevie Young (Britannica)
- 2015: Phil Rudd replaced by Chris Slade (temporarily) (Britannica)
Six key facts sum up the band’s personnel history at a glance.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Current lineup size | 5 members |
| Original lineup size (1973) | 5 members |
| Total individuals ever in the band | 18 |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Lead vocalists in history | 3: Dave Evans, Bon Scott, Brian Johnson |
| Number of deceased members | 4 |
How many AC/DC members are still alive?
As of 2024, six former or current AC/DC members are alive: Angus Young, Cliff Williams, Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, Stevie Young, and Mark Evans (Britannica). The four deceased members are Bon Scott, Malcolm Young, Tony Currenti, and Colin Burgess.
How many original members are still alive?
- Of the original 1973 lineup, only Angus Young is still active in the band.
- Malcolm Young died in 2017; Larry Van Kriedt is alive but no longer in music; Colin Burgess died in 2023; Dave Evans is alive and occasionally performs.
Who are the deceased members of AC/DC?
- Bon Scott (vocals, died 1980) – Britannica
- Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar, died 2017) – (Britannica)
- Tony Currenti (drums, died 2023) – (Wikipedia (band member list))
- Colin Burgess (drums, died 2023) – (Wikipedia (band member list))
With only six living members and four dead, the band’s survival depends on Angus Young, now 69, and the remaining core. The 2024 Power Up tour lineup (Louder) shows the band is still active, but the clock is ticking.
Who are the original members of AC/DC?
The original lineup that formed in Sydney in 1973 consisted of five musicians: Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar), Angus Young (lead guitar), Larry Van Kriedt (bass), Colin Burgess (drums), and Dave Evans (vocals) (Britannica).
Who were the founding members?
- Malcolm Young and Angus Young founded the band in November 1973.
- They recruited the rest through local ads in Sydney.
What roles did they play?
- Malcolm Young: rhythm guitar and primary songwriter
- Angus Young: lead guitar and showman
- Larry Van Kriedt: bass
- Colin Burgess: drums
- Dave Evans: lead vocals (replaced by Bon Scott in 1974)
What happened to the original lead singer of AC/DC?
Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980, from acute alcohol poisoning (Britannica). His body was discovered in a car in East Dulwich, London, by a friend named Alistair Kinnear (Wikipedia (biography)).
How did Bon Scott die?
- Official cause: acute alcohol poisoning.
- He was 33 years old.
Who found Bon Scott’s body?
- Alistair Kinnear, a friend, found him in the early hours of February 19, 1980.
The implication: Scott’s death forced the band to find a new vocalist, which led to the hiring of Brian Johnson and the creation of the monumental album Back in Black.
Has AC/DC replaced any dead members?
Yes, the band has replaced deceased members with new musicians. Brian Johnson replaced Bon Scott as lead vocalist in April 1980 (Britannica). After Malcolm Young’s death in 2017, his nephew Stevie Young took over rhythm guitar duties (Wikipedia (band member list)).
Who replaced Bon Scott?
- Brian Johnson, recruited from the band Geordie, joined in April 1980.
Who replaced other deceased members?
- Stevie Young replaced Malcolm Young in 2014 (before Malcolm’s death, after his retirement).
- Drummer Phil Rudd left and returned multiple times; during his legal issues, the band used session drummers like Chris Slade and Matt Laug (Wikipedia (band member list)).
The trade-off: replacing a founding member is never easy, but AC/DC has managed to maintain its sound by keeping the Young family at the core.
Which song does Brian Johnson refuse to sing?
Brian Johnson has stated he refuses to sing “Whole Lotta Rosie” because he considers it a Bon Scott song (Wikipedia (song article)). He performed it occasionally early in his tenure but later dropped it from setlists out of respect.
Why does Brian Johnson refuse to sing that song?
- Johnson believes the song is inseparable from Scott’s persona and vocal style.
Has Brian Johnson ever performed that song live?
- Yes, he performed it in the early 1980s but stopped by the mid-1980s.
The catch: Johnson’s refusal means that “Whole Lotta Rosie” is rarely played live, though it remains a fan favorite.
Timeline Signal
- November 1973: AC/DC formed in Sydney by Malcolm and Angus Young. (Britannica (encyclopedic reference))
- 1974: Dave Evans replaced by Bon Scott as lead vocalist. (Britannica)
- 1975: Phil Rudd joins as drummer; first album High Voltage released in Australia. (Britannica)
- February 19, 1980: Bon Scott dies from alcohol poisoning. (Britannica)
- April 1980: Brian Johnson joins as new lead vocalist; Back in Black recorded. (Britannica)
- 2014: Malcolm Young retires due to dementia; Stevie Young replaces him. (Wikipedia (band member list))
- November 18, 2017: Malcolm Young dies at age 64. (Britannica)
- 2020: Band releases Power Up with all current members. (Louder)
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Bon Scott died in 1980 of alcohol poisoning. (Britannica)
- Brian Johnson replaced Bon Scott in 1980. (Britannica)
- Malcolm Young died in 2017. (Britannica)
- Current lineup: Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, Phil Rudd, Stevie Young. (Britannica)
What’s unclear
- Whether the band will tour again after the Power Up album cycle.
- Exact date of Bon Scott’s death (found morning of Feb 19).
- Phil Rudd’s full-time status for future tours. (Wikipedia (band article))
Voices from the band
I never wanted to be the singer that replaced him; I wanted to be the singer that carried on the legacy.
Brian Johnson, on replacing Bon Scott
Bon was the best frontman you could ever have. He was a great friend.
Angus Young, on Bon Scott
For AC/DC fans, the lineup changes are part of the legend. The band has lost four members but continues to tour and record. The 2024 Power Up tour shows that the core spirit—driven by the Young family—still rocks. For any fan wondering whether the band will survive another decade, the answer is clear: as long as an Angus Young is on stage, AC/DC will never truly die.
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För en djupare inblick i bandets många förändringar, se den fullständig historia om AC/DC:s medlemmar som täcker alla epoker från Young-brödernas grundande till idag.
Frequently asked questions
Who was the drummer in AC/DC?
AC/DC has had several drummers: Phil Rudd is the longest-serving, but others include Colin Burgess, Tony Currenti, and Chris Slade.
How many albums did Bon Scott sing on?
Bon Scott sang on six studio albums with AC/DC: High Voltage (1975), T.N.T. (1975), Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976), Let There Be Rock (1977), Powerage (1978), and Highway to Hell (1979).
Did Brian Johnson write any songs for AC/DC?
Yes, Brian Johnson co-wrote songs on every album since Back in Black, including the title track “Back in Black” and “You Shook Me All Night Long”.
What is the net worth of Angus Young?
Angus Young’s net worth is estimated at around $150 million, according to celebrity net worth websites.
Why did Phil Rudd leave AC/DC?
Phil Rudd left multiple times due to legal issues and personal conflicts; he was forced to miss the 2014 tour after a drug charge.
Is Stevie Young related to Malcolm Young?
Yes, Stevie Young is the son of Malcolm and Angus Young’s older brother, Stevie Young Sr., making him their nephew.
How old is Brian Johnson?
Brian Johnson was born on October 5, 1947, making him 76 years old as of 2024.
Was Bon Scott married?
Bon Scott never married, but he had a long-term girlfriend, Irene Thornton, at the time of his death.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Watch, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.