(RNN) - Malcolm Young, a founding member of AC/DC died Saturday at age 64.
The band announced his death with a statement on Facebook.
"Today it is with deep heartfelt sadness that AC/DC has to announce the passing of Malcolm Young. With enormous dedication and commitment he was the driving force behind the band. 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 great pride in all that he endeavored. His loyalty to the fans was unsurpassed."
The statement also included a message from his brother, Angus, saying, "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. He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever. Malcolm, job well done."
Young co-founded the rock back with his brother in 1973. He stopped performing with AC/DC in 2014 after being diagnosed with dementia.
The term dementia generally defines a decline in mental ability that affects daily life. Dementia is not a specific disease but describes symptoms, including loss of memory, communication ability, language, ability to pay attention, reason and judgment and visual perception. Young was replaced in the band by his nephew, Stevie.
Young was born in Glasgow, Scotland, before his family immigrated to Sydney, Australia in the early 1960s. According to Rolling Stone, the brothers named the band AC/DC for the electrical current sticker on their sister's sewing machine.
AC/DC was founded in 1973, and went through a few line up changes before they found lead singer Bon Scott. The band became a hit with six studio albums and popular songs such as "Highway to Hell," "TNT," "High Voltage" and "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Want to Rock and Roll)."
Scott died in 1979 after a night of heavy drinking and the band considered breaking up but returned the next year with the album "Back in Black" new lead singer Brian Johnson. The album was a major hit and included some of the band's signature songs such as "Back in Black," "You Shook Me All Night Long," "Hells Bells" and "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution."
"Back in Black" is the second-best selling album of all time behind Michael Jackson's "Thriller."
AC/DC's success continued through the 80s and 90s with a string of successful albums and tracks, including "For Those About to Rock We Salute You" and "Thunderstruck."
Young, along with all the members of AC/DC, was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
Malcom Young is survived by his wife O'Linda, children Ross and Cara, and three grandchildren and his sister and brother Angus. However his brother George, who was a producer for the band, died in October.
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