‘An utter disgrace’: Iconic AC/DC home demolished

The childhood home of AC/DC’s founding members has been quietly demolished in recent weeks.

EXCLUSIVE

The iconic home where AC/DC first began has been abruptly demolished in a move that has angered Aussie music fans.

The famous Young House in Sydney’s inner west was bought in February 2023 for $5.8 million and has been quietly demolished in recent weeks.

The number 4 house on Burleigh Street in Burwood was the childhood home of talented Aussie musicians Malcolm, Angus and George Young after the family migrated from Scotland in 1963.

The house before being demolished. Picture: Facebook

Photos of the demolished home were posted to the AC/DC fan page. Picture: Facebook

Malcolm and Angus would go on to found AC/DC in 1973 while older brother George co-founded rock band the Easybeats in 1964. Both Malcolm and George died in 2017, with Angus still touring with the band at age 69.

After leaving Scotland, the Young family first lived in Villawood Migrant Hostel before the boys’ father managed to find work.

The family lived in a few other homes in Burwood before moving permanently to 4 Burleigh Street in 1965.

The home was considered to be so iconic, Burwood Council commissioned a mural dedicated to Angus and Malcolm Young to be painted down the road at 12 Burleigh Street.

Easybeats members Dick Diamonde, Stevie Wright, George Young and Margaret Young outside the home in Burwood. Picture: Facebook

Brothers Malcolm and Angus attended Burwood Primary School and then Ashfield Boys High School, with the uniform inspiring the band’s onstage outfit.

The uniforms were modified by their older sister Margaret – whose sewing machine had two power options: AC or DC.

According to the Burwood Council website, police often were required to attend Burleigh Street once the band became famous.

“At one stage in their early fame crowds of young people started to gather around the house on Burleigh Street – breaking windows, obstructing the street and even breaking into the house,” the council website states.

“Several times the police were called to restore order.”

The house has been demolished in recent weeks.

The mural painted at 12 Burleigh St Burwood. Picture: Burwood Council

The move to demolish the home has caused outrage among fans – who believe the home should have been turned into an AC/DC museum.

“How does this happen. An utter disgrace,” one person wrote on the AC/DC – Rock ‘n’ Roll Thunder fan page.

Another fan wrote: “That’s awful to see such destruction of history not only for the Australian music and cultural history, but also a possible museum tourist destinations destroyed like that! So very sad!”

“They could have sold small pieces as souvenirs,” another suggested.

Early this year in April, Burwood Council commissioned an AC/DC Choir Medley to honour Angus and Malcolm.

The medley was sung by a 300-strong choir and performed at a council-organised Burwood Street Party.

Burwood council has been contacted for comment.

Know more? Contact our reporter [e-mail].

Originally published as ‘An utter disgrace’: Iconic AC/DC home demolished