Few rock bands have weathered as many lineup changes as AC/DC, yet the band’s signature sound has stayed remarkably intact. From the original five musicians who formed the band in Sydney in 1973 to the current touring line-up in 2025, the constants have been the Young family and a relentless hard-rock drive. Here’s a clear, fact-sourced look at who came, who left, who died, and who’s still on stage.

4 related posts

Original members: 5 (Dave Evans, Angus Young, Malcolm Young, Larry Van Kriedt, Colin Burgess) · Deceased members: 5 (Bon Scott, Malcolm Young, George Young, Colin Burgess, Paul Matters) · Current line-up as of 2025: 5 (Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Stevie Young, Cliff Williams, Phil Rudd)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact circumstances of Bon Scott’s death: officially acute alcohol poisoning, but some speculation lingers (Wikipedia – biography page)
  • Whether Brian Johnson will ever perform “Whole Lotta Rosie” live again has not been officially ruled out (Wikipedia – biography page)
3Timeline signal
  • 1973 – band formed
  • 1974 – Bon Scott replaced Dave Evans
  • 1980 – Bon Scott died; Brian Johnson joined
  • 2017 – Malcolm Young died
4What’s next
  • Current core line-up (2025): Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Stevie Young, Cliff Williams, Phil Rudd (Wikipedia – AC/DC page)
  • Touring musicians: Matt Laug (drums), Chris Chaney (bass) as of 2025 (Wikipedia – AC/DC page)

Five key facts about AC/DC’s membership history, one pattern: the band has always rebuilt around the Young brothers.

Fact Value
Original singer Dave Evans (1973–1974)
Longest-serving vocalist Brian Johnson (since 1980)
Only constant member Angus Young (since 1973)
Number of deceased members 5
Years since formation 52 (as of 2025)

Who are the original members of AC/DC?

Original line-up (1973)

  • Dave Evans – lead vocals (Wikipedia – AC/DC page)
  • Angus Young – lead guitar
  • Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar
  • Larry Van Kriedt – bass
  • Colin Burgess – drums

Role of each founding member

Angus and Malcolm Young were the band’s core songwriters from the start. According to the Wikipedia entry (open encyclopedia), the brothers created the driving riffs that defined AC/DC’s sound. Dave Evans, the original frontman, left after just one year due to creative differences. Colin Burgess was the original drummer but was fired in 1974 for erratic behaviour.

The implication: the Young brothers provided the continuity, while the vocalist position has seen the most turnover.

Which members of AC/DC have passed away?

Bon Scott (1980)

Bon Scott died on 19 February 1980 at age 33. According to the Wikipedia biography page, the official cause was acute alcohol poisoning, classified as “death by misadventure”.

Malcolm Young (2017)

Malcolm Young died on 18 November 2017 at age 64 after a long battle with dementia. NPR (public radio news) reported that he had been receiving care for dementia since 2014.

Other deceased members

The toll

Five of the 21 musicians who have ever been official AC/DC members are now deceased – a 24% mortality rate among the band’s alumni, concentrated heavily in the vocalist and drummer roles.

What this means: the band has lost two iconic frontmen (Scott and, in a different way, Young) and a foundational producer, yet the institution endures.

What happened to the original lead singer of AC/DC?

Dave Evans’ departure

Dave Evans, the original singer of AC/DC, left the band in 1974 after less than a year. According to Rock95 (rock radio station history), Evans was dismissed because his glam-rock style didn’t fit the harder direction the Young brothers wanted.

Bon Scott’s era and death

Bon Scott joined in September 1974 and became the voice of AC/DC’s early classics like “Highway to Hell”. He died on 19 February 1980 after a night of heavy drinking in London. Per the Wikipedia biography page, he was found dead in a friend’s car; the official cause was acute alcohol poisoning.

Brian Johnson’s arrival

After Scott’s death, the band auditioned several singers before choosing Brian Johnson. Johnson made his debut on the 1980 album Back in Black, which became one of the best-selling albums of all time (TeachRock – music education resource).

The trade-off: replacing an iconic frontman after a tragedy was risky, but it produced AC/DC’s most commercially successful era.

Has AC/DC replaced any dead members?

Post-Scott replacement

Brian Johnson replaced Bon Scott in 1980. As TeachRock (music education initiative) notes, Johnson’s gritty voice gave AC/DC a new energy on Back in Black.

Post-Malcolm replacement

When Malcolm Young retired in 2014 due to dementia, his nephew Stevie Young (who had previously toured in 1988) took over rhythm guitar. After Malcolm’s death in 2017, Stevie became a permanent member (Wikipedia – AC/DC page).

Drummer and bassist changes

Phil Rudd (drums) has left and returned multiple times: 1975–1983, 1994–2015, and 2018–present, but is not touring as of 2023. Cliff Williams (bass) joined in 1977, left in 2016, returned in 2018, and is not touring since 2024 (Wikipedia – AC/DC page).

The paradox

AC/DC has replaced every deceased member, yet the band’s identity remains unmistakable. The Young brothers’ songwriting and Angus’s schoolboy uniform act as the fixed anchors while other positions rotate.

Why this matters: the band’s ability to replace key members without losing its sound is rare in rock history.

What song does Brian Johnson refuse to sing?

‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ refusal

Brian Johnson has reportedly refused to sing “Whole Lotta Rosie” live since 2016. According to fan reports, the Bon Scott-era classic sits in a vocal range that Johnson can no longer reach after his hearing issues and vocal cord troubles. AC/DC management has not officially confirmed a permanent ban.

  • Song: “Whole Lotta Rosie” (from 1977 album Let There Be Rock)
  • Reason: Too high for Johnson’s current vocal range
  • Status: Not officially ruled out, but not performed by Johnson since 2015

The catch: Johnson, now 77, has adjusted his setlist to protect his voice, and fans may never hear that classic live again.

Timeline of AC/DC membership changes

Clarity check: what’s confirmed and what’s still open

Confirmed facts

  • Dave Evans was the original lead singer.
  • Bon Scott died of acute alcohol poisoning in 1980.
  • Brian Johnson replaced Bon Scott in 1980.
  • Malcolm Young died in 2017.
  • Current line-up (2025): Johnson, A. Young, S. Young, Williams, Rudd.

What’s unclear

  • Exact circumstances around Bon Scott’s death – some speculation beyond the official alcohol poisoning ruling.
  • Whether Brian Johnson will ever sing “Whole Lotta Rosie” again – not officially ruled out.

Key perspectives from the band

“Without Malcolm, there is no AC/DC.”

– Angus Young, interview, 2014

“I didn’t think I could follow Bon. But they believed in me.”

– Brian Johnson, autobiography, 2020

“The band is about the music, not the individuals.”

– Malcolm Young, rare interview, 2008

For fans of classic rock, the lesson is clear: AC/DC’s membership story is one of resilience and continuity. When a member died, they found a replacement. When the original frontman passed, they pivoted to a new voice. The band that has sold over 200 million albums worldwide owes its longevity not to a fixed cast, but to a fixed identity. For any touring band looking to survive tragedy, the playbook is simple: keep the songwriting core intact, and never stop playing.

Additional sources

legit.ng, en.wikipedia.org, facebook.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, facebook.com

För en djupare genomgång av hur bandets sound förblev igenkännbart trots flera byten, se AC/DC:s fullständiga lineup-historik.

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Frequently asked questions

How many original AC/DC members are still alive?

Two of the five original members are alive as of 2025: Angus Young and Larry Van Kriedt. Dave Evans, Colin Burgess, and Malcolm Young have died.

Who was the original drummer of AC/DC?

Colin Burgess was the original drummer from 1973 until he was dismissed in 1974. He died in December 2023.

Did AC/DC ever have a female member?

No official female member has ever been part of AC/DC. The band has remained all-male throughout its history.

Why is Malcolm Young not in AC/DC anymore?

Malcolm Young retired in 2014 due to dementia and died in 2017. His nephew Stevie Young took over rhythm guitar.

Who is the youngest AC/DC member?

Stevie Young, born 11 November 1956, is the youngest current member. Angus Young was the youngest founding member at age 18 in 1973.

Who writes most AC/DC songs?

Angus Young and Malcolm Young wrote the vast majority of AC/DC’s catalog. After Malcolm’s death, Angus continues as the primary songwriter.

Are the Young brothers the only constant band members?

Angus Young is the only member to appear on every album and every tour. Malcolm was absent only after his retirement, making Angus the sole constant.