“After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group’s diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.”

“In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family’s privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music.”  ~  AC/DC 

Editorial By Kimberly Annette

The internet seems to be boiling over with the same story that came on the heels of the band AC/DC’s posted press release to their web page earlier today in regards to guitarist Malcolm Young’s health and his inability to continue on with the band after forty years. There are reports of a stroke which has left him with memory loss, reportedly so severe he no longer remembers how to play his guitar and sometimes even family members faces. Although, dementia has not been confirmed or denied by family, or ones closest to him tragically he is still ill and unable to play with the band he cofounded.

AC/DC was about to set out on the 40th Anniversary Tour and with this news it leaves fans gasping at the loss. The thought struck me when reading the various articles which are all sounding basically the same was a profound sadness and grief for what those closest to him including his son Ross Young are going through should dementia reports be a lasting result of his stroke. If any of you have not known anyone who has suffered from dementia it is one of the more difficult things to watch anyone go through, but especially a loved one. There is no end until there is an end; a last breathe.

Malcolm-Young’s-1959-Gretsch-White-Falcon

Dementia steals life slowly at first just small signs nothing anyone pays much attention to. Forgetfulness, things like keys, or a wallet, but then it escalates suddenly they can’t remember how they ended up at the store, or worse yet they don’t remember the child they raised, or a spouse. there is much anger and disbelief until it is replaced by just plain fear, “who are these strangers and where am I?” “I want to go home….” all the while they are in the very home they have lived in most of their adult life. This illness is one of the hard, unkind; difficult, making coping next to impossible at times. Watching, feeling completely helpless as they deteriorate before your eyes, this person you’ve known and loved for so long now just a shell of a stranger.

As one who has seen and experienced this illness up close as much as I have loved the guitar riffs, the hard electric sound, and balls to the walls music of Young and AC/DC my concern is not will they play again without Young, or if they do will it be the same? No, not for those worries they are meaningless. But the heart, for his family, friends, and loved ones, the ones going through probably the most difficult time of their lives. I would implore all of you to see beyond the short scope and look at the bigger picture and lend your support to those dealing with the pain of this egregious reality and say a prayer tonight, lift them up in your thoughts and hearts the music of AC/DC will never die we will always have it, but the true lost here is the life of an amazingly talented guitarist, not loss by death but a loss by slow dissolution of reality.

It is my earnest hope that the rumors and speculations regarding dementia are untrue, and Young will return to health completely healed no trace of a stroke or any other illness left within his body or mind. Until then, I choose to have a heart for those close to him who have a difficult road ahead no matter what the real cause is of Young’s illness.  – (Edited on April 17th, 2014 text added for clarification)

I leave you with a memory…. cherish it and those you love while they are with you!

Phillip Morris Photography ©

Phillip Morris Photography ©

MALCOLM YOUNG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

AC/DC WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | YOU TUBE | ITUNES 

PHILLIP MORRIS PHOTOGRAPHY

KIMBERLY ANNETTE | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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