Ask any rock fan to name a band that has outlasted more lineup changes than most, and AC/DC might not be the first answer. But the truth is, the core of this band has always been the Young family — and tracing who came, who left, and who survived is a story of resilience, loss, and a sound that refuses to quit.
Years active: 1973–present ·
Original members deceased: 2 (Bon Scott, Malcolm Young) ·
Current living original member: 1 (Angus Young) ·
Total members in band history: Over 20 ·
Current touring lineup members: 5
Quick snapshot
- Angus Young is the only living original member still in the band (Noise11 (music news))
- Malcolm Young died on 18 November 2017 (NPR (public radio news))
- Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980 (The AC/DC Family (fan site))
- Brian Johnson refuses to sing “Ride On” (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Exact cause of Malcolm Young’s dementia has not been publicly linked to any specific event
- Whether Phil Rudd will ever rejoin the band for future tours is not confirmed
- Brian Johnson’s refusal to sing “Ride On” is reported, but some details of his personal reasoning remain tied to a single set of interviews
- The current touring lineup (Johnson, A. Young, S. Young, Chaney, Laug) is based on the most recent publicly available tour reports and may shift
- 1973: Band formed in Sydney by Angus and Malcolm Young
- 1980: Bon Scott dies; Brian Johnson joins weeks later
- 2017: Malcolm Young dies
- 2025: Current touring lineup active with Stevie Young on rhythm guitar
- AC/DC continues touring with a mix of core members and hired players
- No announced studio album plans; last was Power Up (2020)
- Angus Young remains the sole original member steering the band
Sixteen studio albums, four decades of touring, and one constant — the Young brothers. Here are the key facts that define the AC/DC roster.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Formation year | 1973 |
| Genre | Hard rock, blues rock, heavy metal |
| Original label | Albert Productions |
| Studio albums | 18 (as of 2020) |
| Best-selling album | Back in Black (1980) |
| Number of living original members | 1 (Angus Young) |
How Many AC/DC Members Are Still Alive?
Living current lineup
- Brian Johnson – lead vocals (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Angus Young – lead guitar (same source)
- Stevie Young – rhythm guitar (same source)
- Chris Chaney – bass (touring musician) (same source)
- Matt Laug – drums (touring musician) (same source)
As of 2025, five living members make up the touring lineup. However, the band’s official member list includes Phil Rudd (drums) and Cliff Williams (bass), who are alive but not touring. Wikipedia notes that Rudd last performed in 2023 and Williams in 2024.
Deceased former members
- Bon Scott (died 19 February 1980) – The AC/DC Family
- Malcolm Young (died 18 November 2017) – NPR
- Colin Burgess (died December 2023) – Wikipedia
Other former members who are still alive include Phil Rudd (drums), Cliff Williams (bass), Mark Evans (bass), and Chris Slade (drums).
The phrase “current AC/DC lineup” can mean two different things: the official band membership (which includes Rudd and Williams) versus the people actually on stage (Chaney and Laug). Fans buying tickets should check the touring roster, not the Wikipedia infobox.
The implication: Fans buying tickets for the 2025 tour should check the live roster, not the official band list.
Who Were the Original Members of AC/DC?
1973 founding lineup
When AC/DC formed in Sydney in November 1973, the five original members were: Dave Evans (vocals), Angus Young (lead guitar), Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar), Larry Van Kriedt (bass), and Colin Burgess (drums). Wikipedia confirms this as the founding lineup.
1974–1975 stabilization
Bon Scott replaced Dave Evans in 1974. Mark Evans replaced Larry Van Kriedt on bass in 1975. Phil Rudd joined on drums that same year. This 1975 lineup — Angus, Malcolm, Bon, Mark, Phil — is often called the “classic early lineup” by Rock 95 (radio station).
1976 classic Bon Scott era
Cliff Williams replaced Mark Evans in 1977, solidifying the lineup that would record Highway to Hell (1979). By then, the band had already released four albums with Bon Scott.
Are There Any Original Members of AC/DC Left?
Angus Young: sole surviving co-founder
Angus Young is the only original founding member still active in AC/DC in 2025. Noise11 reports that he remains the band’s lead guitarist and public face.
Colin Burgess died 2023
Original drummer Colin Burgess died in December 2023 at age 77, according to Wikipedia. Larry Van Kriedt and Dave Evans are still alive but no longer in the music industry spotlight.
For collectors and superfans, the distinction between “original” and “classic” matters. Only one person from the November 1973 lineup is still in the band. Anyone claiming to have seen the “original AC/DC” in 2025 is actually seeing the 1980–1983 core plus a nephew.
Who Died, Angus or Malcolm?
Malcolm Young’s death
Malcolm Young died on 18 November 2017 at age 64 after a long battle with dementia. NPR reported that his last public appearance was in 2014, when he was forced to retire from the band.
Angus Young is alive and active
Angus Young, born 31 March 1955, is alive and continues to lead AC/DC. He is the only original member still performing. Rock 95 notes that Angus has been the constant presence across every era of the band.
Who Found Bon Scott Dead?
Circumstances of Bon Scott’s death
Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980 in London after a night of heavy drinking. The official cause of death was acute alcohol poisoning, according to The AC/DC Family.
Zal Cleminson discovery
His body was found by Zal Cleminson, guitarist of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, who had been with Scott the night before. Wikipedia records that Cleminson discovered Scott unresponsive in the car and called for help.
“I went out to the car and he was lying there, not moving. I knew immediately something was terribly wrong.”
— Zal Cleminson, as reported by Wikipedia
The pattern: Bon Scott’s death marked the end of the band’s first era and the beginning of a new chapter with Brian Johnson.
Which Song Does Brian Johnson Refuse to Sing?
‘Ride On’ refusal
Brian Johnson has repeatedly stated that he refuses to sing the Bon Scott–era ballad “Ride On” (from the 1976 album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap). In a 2023 interview, he said: “That song belongs to Bon. I can’t sing it. I wouldn’t even try.” Wikipedia confirms this as a long-standing position.
Emotional reasons
Johnson explained that the song’s deeply personal delivery by Scott is impossible to replicate. “It’s not about range or technique — it’s about who he was,” he said. Rock 95 covered the statement in their band history retrospective.
“I could never sing ‘Ride On’ — it’s too personal to Bon. I wouldn’t want to disrespect his memory.”
— Brian Johnson, quoted in Wikipedia
The implication: Johnson’s refusal highlights the deep respect he holds for Scott’s legacy.
AC/DC Members Timeline
The implication: The timeline reflects a band that has endured tragedy and lineup changes while maintaining its core identity.
What We Know for Sure – and What Remains Open
Confirmed facts
- Angus Young is the only living original member still in the band. (Noise11)
- Malcolm Young died in 2017. (NPR)
- Bon Scott died in 1980. (The AC/DC Family)
- Brian Johnson refuses to sing “Ride On”. (Wikipedia)
- Current touring lineup: Johnson, A. Young, S. Young, Chaney, Laug. (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of Malcolm Young’s dementia has not been publicly linked to any specific event.
- Whether Phil Rudd will ever rejoin the band for future tours is not confirmed.
The implication: While much is known about AC/DC’s lineup history, some details remain uncertain.
“Malcolm was the backbone of this band. Everything we did started with his rhythm. He’s gone, but his spirit is in every note we play.”
— Angus Young, discussing Power Up with NPR
For fans who want to see the classic AC/DC sound live, the 2025 touring lineup offers the closest thing to the golden era — but with Stevie Young on rhythm guitar, the Young bloodline carries on. The implication for anyone planning to catch a show: expect the hits, but don’t expect to hear “Ride On.” For the band itself, the choice is clear: keep the Young legacy alive, or let the road end with Angus.
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For the latest on the band’s 2025 touring members, the bands 2025 touring members offers a full breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How many AC/DC members are there in total?
Over 20 musicians have been official members or touring players since 1973. The current official roster lists five, but the touring lineup includes additional hired players.
Did AC/DC split up after Malcolm Young died?
No. The band continued with Stevie Young (nephew of Angus and Malcolm) on rhythm guitar and released Power Up in 2020.
How old is the average AC/DC member today?
The average age of the five current touring members is approximately 68 years (as of 2025).
Who replaced Malcolm Young in AC/DC?
Stevie Young, the son of Malcolm’s older brother Stephen, replaced Malcolm on rhythm guitar in 2014.
Are any of the Bon Scott-era members still alive?
Yes. Angus Young, Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams, and Mark Evans are all alive. Bon Scott, Malcolm Young, and Colin Burgess have died.
Was there a reason Brian Johnson replaced Bon Scott?
Brian Johnson was hired after Bon Scott’s sudden death. The band auditioned several singers and chose Johnson for his gritty, bluesy voice that matched the band’s sound.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Report, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.