Guitarist, co-founder and songwriter for the band, AC/DC, Malcolm Young died today at the age of 64. Young suffered with dementia for the last several years, according to the AC/DC website. Young was the driving force behind the band until his illness forced him into retirement a few years ago.

Malcolm Young, along with his brother Angus Young, was the co-creator of AC/DC.

“As a guitarist, songwriter and visionary, he was a perfectionist and a unique man. He always stuck to his guns and did and said exactly what he wanted. He took pride in all that he endeavored,” as quoted from the AC/DC Facebook page.

Described as blues-based hard rock, AC/DC’s first studio album High Voltage was released in 1975, led by vocalist, Bon Scott. The band went on to release 22 more albums including blockbuster albums Highway to Hell  in 1979 (also led by Bon Scott), and Back in Black in 1980 led by vocalist, Brian Johnson, which sold over 50 million copies and was considered one of the world’s best-selling albums.

For Those About to Rock We Salute You, was their 8th album, and the first to reach #1 in the U.S. in 1981. AC/DC has sold nearly 70 million albums in the U.S., making AC/DC one of the five top selling bands in music history.

Malcolm Young was the main songwriter for AC/DC and some of their biggest hits were “Highway to Hell” “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Back in Black.” Young and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.

He is survived by his wife, two children, son in law, three grandchildren and his sister and brother.

Malcolm Young will be missed and we salute him for his indelible imprint on rock and roll. RIP.