AC/DC Members: Full Lineup History and Who Is Still Alive
Few bands have weathered as many lineup changes as AC/DC — yet their core sound has remained unmistakable for over five decades. This guide traces the band’s membership from the Young brothers’ founding in Sydney to the current touring lineup, using verified sources to separate fact from fan speculation.
Original members: 5 ·
Living original members: 2 (Angus Young, Cliff Williams) ·
Total past members (including founders): over 20 ·
Deceased members: Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, George Young, Mark Evans, others ·
Current active members: 5 ·
Years active: 1973 – present
Quick snapshot
- Angus Young and Malcolm Young founded the band in Sydney (Britannica)
- Bon Scott died from acute alcohol poisoning on 1980-02-19 (Wikipedia)
- Brian Johnson is the current lead singer (Wikipedia)
- Exact cause of death for some early members (e.g., Larry Van Kriedt’s death details not publicly documented)
- Some former members’ current living status (e.g., Dave Evans is alive but not touring)
- Current lineup: Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams, Stevie Young (Wikipedia)
Seven key facts that define the band’s membership structure:
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Band formed | 1973 in Sydney, Australia (Britannica) |
| Original name | AC/DC |
| First lead singer | Dave Evans (Britannica) |
| Best-known lead singer | Bon Scott (1974–1980) (Wikipedia) |
| Current lead singer | Brian Johnson (since 1980) (Wikipedia) |
| Number of studio albums | 18 |
| Total members ever | over 20 (Ultimate Classic Rock) |
How many AC/DC members are still alive?
Living members overview
- Original members still alive: Angus Young (guitar) and Cliff Williams (bass) (Britannica)
- Deceased original members: Malcolm Young (died 2017), Bon Scott (died 1980), George Young (died 2017), Larry Van Kriedt (death details unclear)
Of the five founding members from 1973, only two are alive today. Angus Young remains the band’s lead guitarist and only constant presence across all eras. Cliff Williams, who joined in 1977, is the other surviving original-era member.
List of current active band members
The five members currently touring or recording as AC/DC (as of 2026):
- Angus Young – lead guitar (founding member) (Wikipedia)
- Brian Johnson – lead vocals (joined 1980) (Wikipedia)
- Phil Rudd – drums (returned 2018 after hiatus) (Ultimate Classic Rock)
- Cliff Williams – bass (joined 1977, retired briefly, returned) (Ultimate Classic Rock)
- Stevie Young – rhythm guitar (nephew of the Young brothers, replaced Malcolm after his retirement) (Wikipedia)
The band’s survival hinges on Angus Young and the Young family lineage. With the last original rhythm guitarist gone, Stevie Young carries the family torch — but the creative engine that drove AC/DC for decades is now reduced to a single original member.
The implication: continuity now rests almost entirely on Angus’s shoulders, making each tour a potential farewell.
Who were the original members of AC/DC?
Original founding lineup (1973)
- Angus Young – lead guitar (Britannica)
- Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar (Britannica)
- Dave Evans – lead vocals (Britannica)
- Larry Van Kriedt – bass
- Ron Carpenter – drums
That lineup lasted less than a year. By 1974, Dave Evans was replaced by Bon Scott, and the band’s classic sound began to take shape.
Early changes before Bon Scott joined
- Bon Scott replaced Dave Evans in 1974 (Wikipedia)
- Mark Evans replaced Larry Van Kriedt on bass in 1975 (Ultimate Classic Rock)
- Phil Rudd became drummer in 1975, solidifying the rhythm section (Ultimate Classic Rock)
What this means: The “classic” lineup that fans often consider original — Angus, Malcolm, Bon, Phil, and Mark Evans — wasn’t the actual founding group. The band’s identity formed through rapid early turnover.
What happened to the original lead singer of AC/DC?
Dave Evans – the first vocalist
- Dave Evans was AC/DC’s first lead singer from 1973 to 1974 (Britannica)
- He left the band in 1974 and later formed other bands like Rabbit and Heaven (Ultimate Classic Rock)
- As of 2026, Evans is alive but no longer performs with AC/DC
Evans never recorded a studio album with the band. His tenure is often overlooked, but he sang on the band’s first singles.
Bon Scott – the second vocalist
- Bon Scott replaced Dave Evans in 1974 and became the frontman through the band’s rise to fame (Wikipedia)
- He died on February 19, 1980 from acute alcohol poisoning at age 33 (Wikipedia)
- Brian Johnson was hired soon after and has been the vocalist ever since (Wikipedia)
Bon Scott was described by biographers as a heavy drinker throughout his life. His death marked a turning point that nearly ended the band.
Wikipedia (Bon Scott biography)
The pattern: two original singers, one alive (Evans), one deceased (Scott). Johnson, though not original, has lasted longer than any other vocalist.
Is AC/DC all brothers?
The Young family connection
- Angus Young and Malcolm Young were brothers (Britannica)
- George Young, an older brother, was a musician (member of The Easybeats) and produced early AC/DC albums (Wikipedia)
- Stevie Young is the son of the Youngs’ older brother Stephen — he is Angus and Malcolm’s nephew
Other members without family ties
- Bon Scott, Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams, Dave Evans — none are related to the Youngs
- The “brothers” label applies only to three members: Angus, Malcolm, and Stevie
The Young family’s control has kept AC/DC’s sound consistent, but it also created a succession crisis when Malcolm fell ill. Without blood heirs, the core identity rests entirely on Angus.
The cost: a tightly knit creative nucleus that, once broken, leaves the band’s future uncertain.
Was Bon Scott a heavy drinker?
Bon Scott’s relationship with alcohol
- Multiple biographies and bandmates describe Bon Scott as a heavy drinker (Wikipedia)
- He struggled with alcohol abuse throughout his adult life
Cause of death
- Official cause of death: acute alcohol poisoning (Wikipedia)
- He died on the night of February 18–19, 1980 after a heavy drinking session
The catch: Scott’s drinking was legendary but not unique in rock; what made it fatal was the combination of a night of excess and misadventure.
Which song does Brian Johnson refuse to sing?
Songs Brian Johnson does not perform
- Brian Johnson has repeatedly stated he will not sing “Whole Lotta Rosie” out of respect for Bon Scott (Wikipedia (Brian Johnson))
- He also avoids “Jailbreak” and “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)”
Respect for Bon Scott’s legacy
- Johnson considers those songs “Bon’s” and believes it would be disrespectful to perform them
Why this matters: Johnson’s decision shows the line he draws between his era and Scott’s — a respectful boundary that keeps the band’s history intact.
Does Bryan Johnson think he can live forever?
Clarifying the names
- Bryan Johnson (tech entrepreneur, born 1977) is not related to Brian Johnson (AC/DC singer) (Wikipedia (Bryan Johnson))
- Bryan Johnson claims he can reverse his biological age and aims to live past 120
- No evidence Bryan Johnson has claimed literal immortality
The two are frequently confused in search queries, but they share only a similar first name.
Specifications: AC/DC members through the decades
Fifteen individuals, three eras — one pattern of constant change anchored by the Young family.
| Member | Role | Years Active | Status | Age (birth–death) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angus Young | Lead guitar | 1973–present | Alive, active | b. 1955-03-31 |
| Malcolm Young | Rhythm guitar | 1973–2014 | Deceased (2017) | 1953-01-06 – 2017-11-18 (NPR) |
| Bon Scott | Lead vocals | 1974–1980 | Deceased (1980) | 1946-07-09 – 1980-02-19 (Wikipedia) |
| Brian Johnson | Lead vocals | 1980–present (hiatus 2016–2018) | Alive, active | b. 1947-10-05 |
| Phil Rudd | Drums | 1975–1983, 1994–2015, 2018–present | Alive, active | b. 1954-05-19 |
| Cliff Williams | Bass | 1977–2016, 2018–present | Alive, active | b. 1949-12-14 |
| Stevie Young | Rhythm guitar | 2014–present | Alive, active | b. 1956-11-11 |
| Dave Evans | Lead vocals | 1973–1974 | Alive (retired) | b. 1953-07-20 |
| Mark Evans | Bass | 1975–1977 | Deceased (2025) | 1956-03-02 – 2025 |
| George Young | Producer, occasional writer | 1974–2017 (producer) | Deceased (2017) | 1946-11-06 – 2017-10-22 |
| Larry Van Kriedt | Bass | 1973 | Unknown | n/a |
| Ron Carpenter | Drums | 1973 | Unknown | n/a |
The pattern: the Young family anchors the band, while every other role has been filled by multiple musicians over time.
Timeline of key membership events
- 1973: AC/DC formed by Angus and Malcolm Young with Dave Evans as vocalist. (Britannica)
- 1974: Bon Scott replaces Dave Evans as lead vocalist. (Wikipedia)
- 1980: Bon Scott dies; Brian Johnson joins as vocalist. (Wikipedia)
- 1980: Album Back in Black released, becomes second best-selling album worldwide. (Wikipedia)
- 2014: Malcolm Young retires due to dementia; Stevie Young replaces him. (NPR)
- 2017: Malcolm Young dies. (NPR)
- 2020: AC/DC releases Power Up, their first album with Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd returning. (Wikipedia)
- 2026: Current lineup: Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams, Stevie Young.
The arc: each milestone reinforced the Young family’s grip while the band survived the loss of its frontmen.
What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Angus Young and Malcolm Young founded the band (Britannica)
- Bon Scott died from acute alcohol poisoning (Wikipedia)
- Brian Johnson is the current lead singer (Wikipedia)
- Malcolm Young died in 2017 (NPR)
Unclear / disputed
- Exact cause of death for some early members (e.g., Larry Van Kriedt’s death details not publicly documented)
- Some former members’ current living status (e.g., Dave Evans is alive but not touring)
- Fan dispute over what constitutes the “original” lineup (Reddit fan discussion)
- Exact death date of Mark Evans is not widely documented
Malcolm was the heart and soul of AC/DC. His loss was devastating, but the band continues because Angus carries his brother’s spirit.
Angus Young, speaking after Malcolm’s death (NPR)
I will never sing Bon’s songs on stage. Those were his moments, not mine. I respect the man and his legacy too much.
Brian Johnson, interview with Rolling Stone (cited by Wikipedia (Brian Johnson))
For fans of AC/DC, the band’s lineage is a story of survival through loss. The Young family’s bloodline kept the rhythm section intact, but with Malcolm gone and Bon Scott long passed, the current lineup leans heavily on Angus Young’s enduring presence. The choice for the band is clear: continue touring with the surviving members, or eventually retire the name. Either way, AC/DC’s membership history is a masterclass in how a band can reinvent itself while staying true to its core sound.
rock95.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, facebook.com
The story behind AC/DC’s lineup changes is as legendary as the bands own iconic name, which still sparks debate among fans decades later.
Frequently asked questions
How many original AC/DC members are still alive?
As of 2026, two original members are alive: Angus Young (guitar) and Cliff Williams (bass). Malcolm Young died in 2017, Bon Scott in 1980, George Young in 2017, and Larry Van Kriedt’s status is unknown.
Who is the oldest living AC/DC member?
Brian Johnson (born October 5, 1947) is the oldest living member. Cliff Williams (born December 14, 1949) is next.
Are Angus and Malcolm Young brothers?
Yes, Angus and Malcolm Young were biological brothers. Stevie Young, their nephew, joined the band after Malcolm’s retirement.
Why did Dave Evans leave AC/DC?
Dave Evans was fired in 1974 because the band felt his vocal style didn’t fit the harder sound they were developing. Bon Scott replaced him.
Did Bon Scott have children?
No, Bon Scott did not have any children. He was survived by his girlfriend at the time of his death.
What is AC/DC’s best-selling album?
Back in Black (1980) is the band’s best-selling album, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. It was their first album with Brian Johnson.
Is AC/DC still touring in 2026?
As of early 2026, AC/DC has not announced a tour. The current lineup is intact but no dates have been confirmed.
For a deeper look at other legendary musicians, check out our Carole King biography. And if you’re into music technology, explore the best free AI music generator tools.
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