George Young, R.I.P.

Guitar player, songwriter and producer George Young passed away on October 22nd at the age of 70.

Chances are you might not now Young's name, but you most certainly know some of the music he wrote or produced.

The Scottish born Young emigrated to Australia in his teens. Young would soon become friends with a Dutch emigre named Harry Vanda. Eventually Young and Vanda found a singer named Stevie Wright and they would form The Easybeats. In 1966, they attained international stardom with the working class anthem "Friday On My Mind".

When the group was unable to replicate the success of "Friday On My Mind", Young and Vanda turned their attention to songwriting and producing beginning with Wright's short-lived solo career which was highlighted by the 11-minute epic "Evie". Young and Vanda most notable collaboration involved Young's younger brothers Angus and Malcolm. That's right. I'm talking about AC/DC. Young and Vanda would produce the group's first six albums before they became international stars at the hands of "Mutt" Lange circa 1979/1980 with Highway to Hell and Back in Black. From the sublime to the ridiculous, Young and Vanda also wrote and produced "Love Is In The Air" which became a late 1970's international hit sung by John Paul Young (no relation).

Have a listen to "Friday On My Mind" below. R.I.P.