'Job well done Mal': Fans honour AC/DC's Malcolm Young at his Sydney gravesite

While AC/DC rocks stadiums across Australia, their late founder Malcolm Young receives his own standing ovation from global fans visiting his Sydney cemetery shrine.

AC/DC's Malcolm Young’s grave at Waverly Cemetery, laid with tributes following the bands recent concerts. Photo: Tom Parrish

As AC/DC head west on a mega month-long Australian tour, a founding member remains in Sydney, buried at Waverley Cemetery but not forgotten by the band’s legion of fans.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, on a cliff top between Bronte and Clovelly in Sydney’s east, Malcolm Young’s gravesite bears tribute to the late rhythm guitarist’s lasting popularity with the rock legends’ worldwide devotees.

Decorated with photos, cards, flowers, plectrums and merchandise – even an action figure of little brother and guitar hero Angus – Young’s resting place since November 2017 has become a pilgrimage site for AC/DC disciples.

The grave of AC/DC's Malcolm Young at Waverley Cemetery, covered in tributes. Picture: Tom Parrish

Enrique from Spain left his note in the wake of the band’s two concerts at Accor Stadium a fortnight ago where a collective audience of almost 150,000 packed out the Homebush arena.

“You are missed every day but not forgotten,” it read. “Always in our hearts. Job well done Mal.”

The last line is a touchstone to comments from Angus in the family’s statement after Malcolm died with dementia, aged 64.

Pictured are, from left, Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Cliff Williams, and Phil Rudd. Picture: Paul Natkin/Getty Images

“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,” Angus said. “He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever. Malcolm, job well done.”

Malcolm Young’s grave at Waverley Cemetery. Picture: Tom Parrish

Another card on the grave of the musician whose song writing credits include a raft of AC/DC’s biggest hits including Back in Black, High Voltage, Hells Bells, It’s a Long Way to the Top and Thunderstruck, reads: “Cheers Mal, thank you for everything”.

It was left by Belgian fan Bert and visiting Americans Glenn, Narelle and Mary.

Another message, from Wendy, says: “To Malcolm, thank you for saving my life back in 1974, also for your friendship.”

The grave of AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young has become a pilgrimage site for the band’s legion of fans. Picture: Tom Parrish

Young founded AC/DC with Angus in 1973. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, the former Ashfield Boys High School student helped drive the band – aside from a break in 1988 as he went into rehab – until 2014 when health issues forced him into retirement.

In an interview looking back at the band’s early days, Malcolm once said: “We thought if we could just work in clubs for the rest of our lives, it was better than our day jobs. Everything else became a bonus after that.”

Rolling Stone magazine has called AC/DC “one of the most enduringly popular hard-rock bands on the planet”.

AC/DC guitarist Angus Young carries a guitar case after the funeral service for his brother Malcolm at St. Mary's Cathedral in 2017. Picture: AFP

But the death of hard-edged front man Bon Scott in 1980 had the Youngs and their bandmates wondering if they would ever recover and thrive from the loss.

The answer came months later when their first album with Brian Johnson as lead singer – Back in Black – was released.

“It’s the album we’re proud of,” Malcolm told Rolling Stone. “Because we thought it was the end of the band, to be honest … after (Bon’s death) we thought, well, this is it really.”

Forty five years on, they are one of the biggest acts in the world. Fans buy their music, attend their concerts, and still remember Malcolm Young.

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Originally published as 'Job well done Mal': Fans honour AC/DC's Malcolm Young at his Sydney gravesite