The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC

by Jesse Fink

#1 MUSIC BOOK OF 2014 - AllMusicBooks.com (USA)
#1 ROCK BESTSELLER - USA, UK, Denmark, Italy and Germany
#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER - Denmark
BEST BOOKS OF 2014 - PRI Public Radio International (USA)
"An entertaining book... fans of the band will want to get their hands on this. Pronto."
- Booklist (American Library Association)
"Until a band member puts pen to paper in a proper tell-all exposé - they won't - Jesse Fink's work here is the number one go-to book on the subject, warts 'n' all."
- Uber Rock (UK)
"A highly entertaining book... a cracking read." - The Australian
"Fink's look at the band addresses the question that he believes most mainstream rock critics have never been able to answer about AC/DC: 'Why have they endured and resonated with hundreds of millions of people and inculcated such fierce loyalty and outright fanaticism?' The answer is the unrelenting tenacity of the Young brothers... fascinating."
- Publishers Weekly
"This thought-provoking book definitely breaks some new ground. Arrangement by chapters dedicated to specific songs is a satisfying way of telling the AC/DC story while providing music criticism. Scholarly fans will appreciate the bibliography. This one's a must-read for fans."
- Library Journal
"A great narrative... it has one very simple, very powerful message for those who would like to dismiss AC/DC as childish hacks: 'Stop being so bloody pretentious!'"
- Clark Boyd, PRI's The World
"A fantastic new AC/DC book... Fink did a great job. Essential for an AC/DC fan to read."
- Carter Alan, 100.7 WZLX, Massachusetts
"The latest, greatest 'rock read'... an awesome book."
- Buck McWilliams, Gater 98.7 FM, Florida
"An astounding - astounding - book."
- Bill Meyer, KMED, Oregon
"An excellent read."
- Ryan Gatenby, WBIG, Illinois
"The best book on AC/DC ever written."
- Dan Rivers, WKBN, Ohio
"I loved this book."
- Arroe Collins, WRFX, North Carolina
"Outstanding."
- Mark Mayfield, KSLX, Arizona
Jesse Fink's The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC is unlike any AC/DC book you've read before. Less a biography, more a critical appreciation, it tells the story of the trio through 11 classic rock songs and reveals some of the personal and creative secrets that went into their making. Important figures from AC/DC's long way to the top open up for the very first time, while unsung heroes behind the band's success are given the credit they are due. Accepted accounts of events are challenged while sensational new details emerge to cast a whole new light on the band's history--especially their early years with Atlantic Records in the United States. Former AC/DC members and musicians from bands such as Guns N' Roses, Dropkick Murphys, Airbourne and Rose Tattoo also give their take on the Youngs' brand of magic. Their music has never pulled its punches. Neither does The Youngs. After 40 years, AC/DC might just have gotten the serious book it deserves.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Jesse Fink was born in London in 1973. He is the author of seven books including The Drinker's Guide to Japan (co-authored by Wayne Shennen), The Eagle in the Mirror, Pure Narco, Bon: The Last Highway and The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC. Visit his official website at jessefinkbooks.com

Reviews

[Paul Christensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why is a book about the second biggest-selling band of all time so bloody boring?

[Anthony Siokos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best. AC/DC book. Ever.

I bought a copy for my Dad, my girlfriend's Dad (and sent it to the UK), and one for my mate. We all agree that this book is not just about one of the most awesome bands of all-time, but Jesse Fink's research was something else. Talk about detailed. You'll learn more about the Youngs and AC/DC, no matter how obsessed you think you are with the band, by reading this book.

Buy it. Share it. Tell people about it.

[Sarah Rayman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely well written and researched but niche as fuck. It assumes you already have a vast biographical knowledge of the band members themselves. Also difficult to write a history of a band when the band members (The Young brothers) refuse to interview and comment on anything. They’re insanely private.

[Todd Charlton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse Fink's book is the best one I've read about the rise of the world's greatest rock n roll band. Fans of the band will already be familiar with the stories of the Young brothers' "closed shop" approach to strangers, acquaintances and colleagues alike. People who contributed to the band's success along the way were reportedly discarded like a piece of 'ripe fruit you squeeze the juice out of then cast aside'. There's many many names mentioned in the book and they kind of become a blur after a while; people jockeying for lost or never given credit for things that they supposedly did to break the band first in Australia then in England then in America then world wide. I'd say the ultimate reason for their success is probably the band's members themselves wouldn't you agree?
The book doesn't go much beyond stories of how Back in Black came to be written and recorded. No new light is shed on just who the fuck wrote the lyrics to You Shook Me All Night Long and Back in Black et al. Some of the players say notes were found in Bon's flat after his death; other reports have Brian Johnson writing everything. The older group, the ones who seem to worship the ground Bon walked on after he died like so many other stars who died young, all swear the best of the lyrics smack of Bon's style and that Johnson just wasn't capable of such street wise poetry. One person says he saw a note in Bon's flat with the words 'she told me to come but I was already there'. Of course right? The best lines must have been written by the legend and crass bits like 'let me cut your cake with my knife' are fine to have come from Johnson.
Angus and Malcolm swore at the time that Bon died before any lyrics were written and Johnson tells of a calm that ran through him at the time and allowed him to come up with the lyrical goods. Maybe the brothers said what they did to give the new guy a boost. The bottom line is while conflicting statements come from so many different directions we'll never really know. It's more mysterious than the Kennedy assassination! And I thought the king of rock n roll mystique was Jack White!
Ultimately though The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC, is a brilliant volume. Fink has the temerity to correct previous biographers mistakes and not sugar coat anything he heard in his extensive investigations of the history of the volcano that would engulf the world when it erupted around 1980. The Mt St Helens of rock!
Always interesting reading; Fink's writing is always completely objective, which is no mean feat coming from a fanboy.

[AS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A far from traditional biography, Fink explores the hidden stories behind some of AC/DC's biggest songs. While at times he can get bogged down on details only the most dedicated fan would even contemplate (such as a ten-page treatsie on who REALLY was responsible for hiring Mutt Lange as producer), Fink instead skilfully weaves between intricate musical discussion and highlighting the uncomfortable truths about the Young brothers that many other authors have simply ignored.

Even coming from the perspective of a self-confessed "super fan", Fink doesn't shy away from criticising the Youngs for how they have treated members of their inner - and now outer - circle. From airbrushing bassist Mark Evans out of remastered album booklets, to not giving graphic artist Gerard Huerta (responsible for AC/DC's iconic, money-spinning logo) a penny in additional royalties, Fink does not shy away from the bitter truth that the Young brothers, for all their talents, are not going to win any humanitarian awards. He concludes that the AC/DC of today are a "Vegas magic act, all smoke and mirrors", while at he same time admitting "whatever it is they do, whatever magic they deal in, it's working." On the evidence presented throughout, it's hard to disagree on either count.

[Dwayne Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a massive AC/DC fan The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC is a fabulous insite into the band brilliantly written and well researched. From the beginning of this incredibly interesting book the comparison of 120 million dollars worth of art and Back In Black, $9.99 on iTunes a Riff which does more for me than mega art just goes to show the impact AC/DC can have on you. And from this point on i was totally hooked, like a drug the impact was amazing and that's in the first few paragraphs. Like the band this book is POWERFUL, there are so many different insights into AC/DC, you'll find it almost inpossible to put it down. I urge you all to get on the AC/DC Train, take a ride on The Highway To Hell, and get yourself a copy of this Masterpiece, i guarantee you'll read something in this book and you'll say to yourself "bloody hell" i didn't know that, how interesting and that's exactly what The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC is. Do yourself a favour !!!

[Stefán Hlynur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Book About The Best Band In The World Fact Brilliant To Read Thank You For This Book Jesse Fink Best Book I Have Read Again Perfect

[Anthony Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the book as well as Jesse Fink's writing style.I found it very interesting at the start of the book when he described in detail about his depression and how his mood would change whenever he listened to an AC/DC song.Like Jesse i too struggle with depression and i too have found on days when i am feeling flat or need a bit of motivation i listen to some of my favourite AC/DC songs and just hearing the strong beat and catchy tunes gives me an instant lift and a spring in my step.I found it very interesting to read about how George Young made sure that Angus and Malcolm didn't fall into the same trap that befell The EasyBeats with their dealings with record companies and producers as well as his strong stance on hard drugs.The way he tries to breakdown the magic formula of their music and how other bands have tried to copy that same formula and sound only to fail was also very interesting.It was very interesting to read also how in the formative years of the band of the battle for supremacy between Malcolm and Angus before the decision was made to have Angus as the focus of the band with Malcolm the brains.Overall it is a very informative and easy to read book and one that i would highly recommend to any AC/DC fan or fans of rock music

[Timothy Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From a diehard AC/DC fan, this is a must read. I first saw the band on the "Flick" tour in Lakeland, Florida when I was 16. My favorite albums from AC/DC are Powerage, LTBR, and Back in Black. But I also love FOTS, FOTW, IYWBYGI, among the rest. I saw the "Black Ice" tour also. The beginning of the book sets the tone. The record business is ruthless. But with the guidance of George Young and Harry Vanda, Malcolm and Angus learned how the business works, and they were going to make their own music regardless. And they made some killer music. Including "Hail Caesar". It is a well written book that is easy to read. The chapters are named after songs. The names are all great, but I do feel that another chapter could have been titled " Down Payment Blues". Just a chapter about how unique Bon's voice was in general. And why DPB is the greatest song ever recorded. So the book leaves me wanting a little more. Jesse wrote a great book about the band, and how the music industry worked back in the '70's and 80's. Frankly, even if you hate AC/DC with a passion. this is a must read book. It is not only about AC/DC, but it is about the music industry in general.

[G Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book.

[Craig Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Christmas presents I've ever received. And seeing as it's AC/DC's 40th anniversary as a band, here's a little review.

This is, quite simply, a terrific book. It's not a history of AC/DC as such, nor is it a biography of its subjects - AC/DC have consistently refused to deal with any writers throughout their history. It sets out to tell the story of how a family of short-arsed Scottish immigrants - whose introduction to Australia was the now Villawood Detention Centre, by the way - went from suburban pubs, high school dances, and sleazy nightclubs, to become the biggest rock and roll band in the world.

Most importantly, it lets a lot of voices be heard, from the people who helped to get them there. No successful artist gets there on talent alone, although they had bucketloads of that of course. The performers need hard work, passion, and dedication - but they also need that from those around them - agents, producers, crew, engineers, publicity, management etc - and this is an absolutely fascinating and at times frustrating account of how AC/DC got to where they did, and how many people they chewed up and spat out along the way.

There are a couple of other great AC/DC books - Clinton Walker's biography of Bon Scott, and Murray Engleheart's Maximum Rock And Roll (and I recommend both highly!), but this one is unique in how it tells the story. I have been a fan of this band since I first saw them doing TNT on Countdown in 1976, and I learnt plenty.

There is a Facebook page - The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC - with a stack of rare photos.

Basically, if you are a fan of AC/DC, Australian music, great writing, or just want to know the behind the scenes machinations that go on in the making of a massively successful band, get this book.

Too many highlights to mention but I was particularly taken with the description of Alberts Records (their original label) reputation as "the Mordor of Australian hard rock".Jesse Fink

[Cameron Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up as more a fan of the writer then the band & Jesse has delivered once again.

The Youngs is great read & very well researched. Through Jesse's honest and no b.s writing I learn't a lot I didn't know about the band, the people involved with the band, and the measures some will go to to be the best.

What i liked most about this book though was that it wasn't another fan writing about a bands history, (although I do enjoy a good biography). It was written by someone who is clearly a fan but Jesse wanted to tell a different story, exposing some of the darker & dirtier secrets of the Youngs and the music business as a whole.

This book kept me thoroughly entertained from front to back cover. To achieve greatness you can't keep everyone happy but maybe that's what separates the Youngs from the rest. That and of course some of the greatest songs ever written.

Three amazing books now from Jesse, unfortunately now we have to wait to see what Jesse comes up with next.

[Jay Kenyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a tough read for a die-hard AC/DC fan because Mr. Fink pulls no punches when talking about Angus and Malcolm. While Mr. Fink is obviously a fan of AC/DC's music (through the Bon Scott era) he does not have anything nice to say about Angus and Malcolm. Obviously he didn’t get to interview them, and the only people he did interview are those who were fired from AC/DC — management, former players, etc. Despite my obvious bias for being such a huge fan, and I hate to see my heroes disparaged, Mr. Fink's writing seems very spiteful. Basically saying how ruthless and greedy Angus and Malcolm are, and Brian Johnson is simply a (Very lucky) talentless hack who cannot sing ("Johnson's vocal cords also held out for five years. Three decades on they sound feeble, constricted, like a tight little fist, muted and phlegmy.") p. 215. While the book is informative, it just seems to have a vicious streak about it.

[BMR, LCSW · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only book I read about AC/DC, and it was on impulse.

I'm glad I read this first, now I want to check out some of the other ones to hear other sides of the various stories and myths about the band.

Takeaway: there are MANY, many stories about AC/DC and the Youngs who created it, but the Youngs ain't talking (at least not yet).

Malcolm was always my fave member of the band, and probably my fave rhythm guitarist of all time. Now that he is out of the band and fighting dementia, the axle on which the band turned is gone and they'll never be as good again.

I think the next tour will be their last, but I've already seen them for the last time. I won't see them again.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a huge AC/DC fan and having read many other biographies of this iconic band, I thought I knew all there was to know about them. That was until I read "The Youngs". Jesse Fink reveals aspects of the bands road to success that surprised and enthralled me. He delves into territory that other biographers of AC/DC have either neglected or have been too sycophantic to explore. This is an original and very well written book. I recommend it to any fan of AC/DC who wants to read a candid and well researched book of their favourite band.

[Justin Civitillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Youngs provides some fascinating insights into the background and development of some of the band's most important songs, as well as critiquing and providing new information on some of the controversies surrounding the behaviour of the Youngs and other members of the band towards their associates. I highly recommend this excellent book, especially for those who are fans of AC/DC, in addition to rock music aficionados.

[Giulia Villa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This guy really, really, REALLY doesn’t like the Young brothers. To the point where one wonders what possibly compelled him to write a whole book about them.

Spoiler: Angus and Malcolm Young are very short people. This comes up about 86 times during the course of the book, and it is treated as a moral failing.

[Robert Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great companion piece to Bon. I love the inside scoop we get here on the Young brothers. Had from from the first page. I believe money clouds some peoples heads, and you could clearly see it did that to Angus, Malcom & George. Jesse gives the behind the scenes stuff on the Youngs here. I love it and would recommend to anyone!

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great/fantastic/brilliant read.
I've read all the accadacca books, and this one nails it. Highly recommend reading it. Different facts, brilliantly worded. U won't be disappointed and u won't want to put it down.

[Tim Obert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AC/DC Perfection! Love it and if you love AC/DC history, you’ll love this too 🙏

[Arthur Bitar · Rating 3 out of 5]

O livro é legal, mas poderia ser um pouquinho melhor. No entanto, com certeza vale a pena ler se vc quer saber mais sobre o modo de agir dos Youngs

[Kristian Brockmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly put together effort and a nostalgic of inspirational journey back to the era of classic rock and roll. Loved every little revelation along the way. Immediately played the band long and loud. Great work Jesse! A great story, leading to a revival of early days in the lengthening years ahead. Perhaps too an excuse to learn a few dance steps... Music, the echoes of the ages...

[Chris Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a great read ... Fink's incredible insight into the heady days of Australia's greatest music exports takes you to another time and place ... the story behind what you remember listening to in the 70s and 80s draws you in from the first page ... one of the best books I have read about the music industry

[Terry Shockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse Fink has brought a new light to being in a Rock band, dirty deeds done by Record companies, Everything you could ever want to know about the Greatest Rock and Roll Band AC/DC is right here at your finger tips.
There are other books about the band, however Jesse's work has shed a new light on the inside workings of AC/DC. The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC is top shelve.

[Doc O'Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot on AC/DC over the years - This is the best book I have read on AC/DC..!!

Doc.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. I am a diehard fan. I wear nothing but AC/DC t-shirts. I've been following them since 1975. Thank you Jesse for all your hard work. FANTASTIC BOOK!!

[Geoff Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Really shows the 'business' of show business.

[Pat Pettite · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book loved it...the details the back stabbings

[eileen⋆❧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography! Fink uncovered so many things that the Youngs kept hidden, and showed us a completely different side of them. To all AC/DC fans, this is worth the read.

[Benjamin Kahn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I took two runs at this book, but couldn't get past the preface. I gave it up shortly after Fink accuses previous books on AC/DC being guilty of journalist fellatio - this after spending most of the preface up to that point trotting out quote after quote of people talking about how great the band is, trying to prove American critics that disliked the band are wrong, arguing that AC/DC's unchanging sound was actually a strength and a sign or how great they were, rather than a sign of limitations. The preface up to the point that I quit reading was nothing but journalist fellatio, although I use the term journalist loosely as it reads more like a young teenager angry that someone besmirched their favourite band.

I was going to skip ahead to other chapters, but looking at the chapter headings, I could see that this was another "oh my God, Bon Scott was so good! I don't really care for Brian Johnson." Such a cliché - I've heard it a thousand times. Like saying "well, I liked their early stuff." Even the little I read - part of the "Thunderstruck" chapter, part of the "It's a Long Way to the Top if You Want to Rock 'n' Roll" chapter - I didn't like his style so I gave it up as a bad job.

I did like in the author's note where he talked about Powerage being their best album. It's always been my favourite, up there with Back in Black as the only two albums without a weak track. And I found his discussion of people lined up to see Edward Munch's "The Scream" interesting, until he tried to compare that painting to an AC/DC in a weird effort seemingly to prove that AC/DC was better.

I don't disagree with the point that there is a prejudice between what is perceived as fine art and what is perceived as popular art (or high and low art in Fink's analysis), but I think he could have made the same distinction by talking about the attitudes of music critics, who always seem to denigrate hard rock/heavy metal, especially popular music, and elevate more obscure bands that few listen to. Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Nickelback are all bands the get slagged, while Fishbone, Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth all get praised despite the fact that the former are much more popular than the latter. His comparison of painting vs music is kind of a weak comparison, although it might have worked in more competent hands. Alas, Fink proves himself unequal to the task. This book reads like a fan letter to a band, not an attempt at any real journalism.

Early in the book, Fink talks about how AC/DC encouraged him to get out of his basement apartment where he was recovering from the pain of his divorce and take up with a burlesque dancer who looks like Scarlett Johansen. I don't know why he included this information, unless he wanted to impress us with that fact. Well, bully for you, Mr. Fink. Now I know why you love AC/DC so much.