10 AC/DC Riffs That Prove Malcolm Young's GENIUS

My small tribute to one of my favorite guitar players ever: Malcolm Young from AC/DC. These are 10 AC/DC Riffs that proves his talent and genius as a rhythm player.
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🤘 Thanks for watching. If you liked this video you may also like videos by Music Is Win, Nik Nocturnal, Niko Slash, Cole Rolland, Jared Dines, Rob Scallon, Paul Davids, Rob Chapman, The Gastube and Febbre Da Chitarra.
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[@Bless-the-Name]

When Angus was told he'd been voted in the top ten best guitarists he laughed and said, "I'm not the best guitarist in my own band."

[@toddinthemiddle]

i think he stole that from john lennon, who said that ringo wasn't even the best drummer in the beatles.

[@UserUli]

​@@toddinthemiddleThat makes no sense, Einstein. Because Ringo was the only drummer in The Beatles. Btw: Angus said, he wasnt even the best guitarist in his family

[@monobrow1983]

​@@UserUliPaul could play too! 🥁

[@johnjones5184]

Not heard paul on drums then

[@urbanobstacles]

​@@UserUlihey genius malcolm is his brother

[@kentuckyjerk323]

Nice to see the respect Mal is getting. He let his baby brother become the famous one. And Malcolm never missed a note in 40 years.

[@waynekerr8003]

Very true

[@richardlawson6787]

Well he did miss the f Sharpe on the second bar of back in black once in Barcelona Spain in 84 but that's the only time

[@simonturner2814]

​@@richardlawson6787bro you ruined it

[@Andre_tc]

​​​@@richardlawson6787 what F sharp? The only F sharp in that riff is the 3rd of the D chord and he didn't play this 3rd... so... ?????

[@scoutspr9469]

ACDC introduced me to rock and metal world, and although I don't listen to them as much as I did, I still appreciate their sound. Rip Malcolm

[@joaoarthur6918]

same

[@ziggylayneable]

I listen to AC/DC to this day and it's been 35 years +since I first heard them Bon Scott era just warms my freaking heart

[@scoutspr9469]

@@ziggylayneable yeah, I really enjoy their first albums

[@motionoutblack6600]

Same

[@catfeline1530]

I wouldn't categorize ACDC as metal, just hard rock. In their early years they could arguably be a blues-rock genre. They do get pretty close to metal, but I don't think Malcom wanted to take the band that far.

[@duncanb1981]

I remember seeing an interview with Angus where he had won some award for greatest guitarist or something like that.. When the interviewer ask how it felt to receive such an accolade, he replied he wasn't the greatest, he wasn't even the best guitarist in his own band. Couple of legends right there... RIP Malcolm.

[@Mark-um5hc]

Sounds like he was being humble. In situations like this. You gotta remember where you come from. It seems to me. He was doing just that.

[@xxjj4082]

LMFAO!!! Classic Angus. He ALWAYS credits Mal(Malcom) for teaching him how to play guitar.

[@sword-and-shield]

Yeah, Angus always giving the props to Mal, cause it was the straight up truth.

[@garyoneill8868]

He also said "He'll, I'm not even the best guitarist in my own family."😂

[@andrewpappas9311]

AC/DC is one of my all-time favourite bands and I always felt that Malcolm was criminally underrated as a guitarist, his playing was so rock-solid and the perfect compliment to Angus' wild leads. RIP my man, and thanks for teaching us all how to play guitar

[@Mark-um5hc]

Man, I agree 100% with ya. You said the truth.

[@mrjw6701]

Malcolm was never underrated.

[@canadianroot]

*complement

[@user-zp4lf3lv6x]

I want a duff beer 5:29

[@siwiaz5494]

Malcolm Young inspired me to pick up the guitar. He is my favourite guitarist and he always will be. Malcolm Young We Salute You!

[@drkskwlkr]

Came to this video to object about talking about Malcolm Young while holding an Angus Young Gibson SG; stayed through the end to listen to the wonderful rendition of his riffs while remembering that gentle, humble man and brilliant musician who left us so soon. Malcolm was always there, keeping his feet solidly planted in the ground and his hands perfectly in rhythm so that his younger brother could fly and make us wild. If all of us had a bigger brother like Malcolm, the world would be a so much better place. Thanks for making this video and honoring Malcolm Young.

[@michaellrakes5521]

There is no band that does hard rock and great grooves as well as AC/DC. People claim its simple but I NEVER hear anyone come close to capturing that raw and powerful rhythm that they do. It was made almost singularly from the genius of Malcolm Young: the secret weapon of AC/DC and the heart and so of the band

[@peelypeelmeister6432]

Dude we were playing Malcolm Young perfectly 40 years ago.....on our air guitars! I'm 55 now and still love their music particularly from the Bon Scott era.

[@fatbaldandover40]

😂😂 so true mate

[@Mark-um5hc]

Hell yeah ! I know that's right. Still tear up an air guitar. Lol ! I'm a real guitar player. I'm 48 now. I will always play.

[@samiribrahim327]

Jailbreak is another riff that shows Malcolm’s playing style perfectly. Very aggressive and percussive, but still having great tone and dynamics.

[@elainelewis9545]

This is one of my fave traks

[@wizrom3046]

One of Malcolm's best rythms, simple but greatly textured

[@olmenkotten]

Agreed! You need to have the AC/DC feeling in your spine to play it correctly. Very few would nail it the first, second, or the tenth time.

[@111JPRJ111]

Such an underated riff by Mal, the Donington live version is an eargasm 🤘

[@sanjaybanane2339]

Rock in Peace Mal, we extremely miss you, but you inspired us and your legacy and music will be living forever 🔥

[@Rob_1776]

Man AC⚡ DC was and still is my favorite Band of all time! RIP Malcolm Young! A true legend, of Rhythm Guitar, hands down!

[@markedwards7721]

What makes AC/DC great, is that they have a deep understanding of what the essence of heavy rock really is, and with them you already know what you are going to get, and then they give it to you! And Malcom's parts are the ones that reveal the magic formula.

[@fearbabyriffs]

Its not an exciting riff BUT Whats Next To The Moon is unbelievably effective & probably the simplest riff ever. The song is so good.

[@greatdelusion7654]

So true, that is one of their moodiest riffs ever. Simple but so freakin’ catchy. Love it.

[@willburke5843]

I remember in the '90's, Angus Young did a column in a guitar magazine, so he did "Here's something cool that Malcolm did..." The next month, "Here's another awesome Malcolm riff." Total class act!

[@tommybinson]

Interesting - that column would be fascinating to rediscover.

[@JohnTaylor60]

Thanks Danilo, as an old fart who grew up in Australia through the 60s and 70s, that was a great nostalgia trip!

[@DaniloVicari]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, and don't be so hard on yourself!😁

[@JohnTaylor60]

@@DaniloVicari We were smitten by AC/DC as 14 year old aspiring guitarists.

[@johnwales9842]

You never have to prove anything to me about Malcom's GENIUS. RIP Malcom.

[@papawoody9597]

AC/DC is everything Rock and Roll should be, and nothing that it shouldn't. RIP Malcolm.

[@tommybinson]

A fine comment. Best wishes.

[@camillomorlotti5388]

The best along with cliff and Phil the power trio no one can beat. That's why Angus is so good he doesn't need to worry bout anything apart from falling off stage

[@Gokizzmass]

He certainly was my first & only guitar teacher, that was in 1974, & i'm still learning. It's not what you're playing, it's HOW you're playing AC/DC riffs that makes the difference. It's a shame it's taken most people so long to realise how it works. RIP Mr Rhythm.

[@richardlawson6787]

No band gets the audience on it's feet like acdc....best live band ever

[@andrepass1976]

Malcolm was the perfect rock n’roll machine! Thanx Danilo! 🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@miguelsequeiraguitar]

Great video as always! Rock on... \m/ \m/

[@DaniloVicari]

Thanks buddy!🙏🏻

[@scoutspr9469]

Nice seeing you here

[@Bless-the-Name]

Hey Miguel ❤️

[@kaindog100]

With Malcolm and the human metronome Phil Rudd on drums it was perfection.

[@richardlawson6787]

Rudd wasn't fancy but he was a time keeping machine

[@kaindog100]

@@richardlawson6787 100% agree

[@australiantruckspotting8883]

And with Cliff Williams you have the powerhouse engine room of the band.

[@elainelewis9545]

@@richardlawson6787 Phil is ac,dc always will b,love ya Phil 😈

[@drewbaisden3475]

@@richardlawson6787 Yes, Phil was never fancy. He didn't need to be. Phil is a rhythm freight train. And he'd beat you up if you called him fancy.

[@MVMilosevic]

You have captured Malcolm's wibe. Very good work, and nice tribute to the legend.

[@craigfoggon6681]

Brian johnson, sting and Mark knopfler were born within a ten mile radius from where i was born. Make me feel proud to be a geordie. Most of your listeners won't know what a geordie is. Look it up.

[@ApolloTchize]

Most of us don't care, man. You could have been born in the same bed as them, and you are still not them. I once hit notes on Beethoven's original piano in the 1970s and I am still an idiot and can't play piano. ;-)

[@patchevansbrokencountry2583]

Malcolm Young was a gifted musician who understood poly-rhythms which can be heard in loads of introductions and "No its not easy to copy Malcolm.

[@IGarrettI]

It is though

[@mrjw6701]

@@IGarrettI not properly it’s not, so many of his riffs are played wrong

[@Mickcotton]

You had me crying. Absolutely Amazing. When I heard you play For Those About To Rock !!! I was on my knees. Prayers to you & RIP Malcolm Young ❤️❤️.

[@F_Bardamu]

Girls Got Rhythm is a much underrated song. I don't get why ACDC never plays it live.

[@geraldfriend256]

F yes it is

[@enclave_boy]

They did during the ballbreaker tour, I assume they didnt during the Stiff upper lip tour because they already had a lot of changes happening in the setlist. After that kinda makes sense as brian couldn't get his voice that high and the band had to change tuning on the black ice tour.

[@F_Bardamu]

@@enclave_boy Nice to know! I'd be curious to hear Brian sing this song. Not really the type of song that suits his voice best I agree.

[@enclave_boy]

@@F_Bardamu kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2XPgXybnd6dbqM here it is live at No Bull if you're interested

[@F_Bardamu]

@@enclave_boy Thx for the link! This version with Brian's voice sounds slightly less catchy to me. But it's better than I thought!

[@frettin1706]

Malcolm was to the writing and recording process as Angus is to the live show. HUGE loss when he passed and criminally under rated as a rhythm guitarist. If you know, you know. RIP Malcolm Young

[@spidermancereal]

I've always liked ACDC to a degree but then I tried playing some of their songs on Guitar and my appreciation and respect for their music has grown tremendously. Such amazing and powerful tone from those chords.

[@kchtescapoeira]

A, G and D chords but played in so many creative and different ways... music isn't that complicated, but it is complicated to create you own sound, this guy did it great!

[@Antman-so8wn]

There’s a lot of songs that I’d put above some of these like “Theres gonna be some rockin” or even “Overdose” or “Show business”. The songs that were played do show what genius that Malcolm brought to the table. But I feel the even more blues inspired stuff than the iconic deserve some recognition as well.

[@RyanConnell5150]

*Let There Be Rock

[@your_local_brass_bandit8825]

@@RyanConnell5150 probably meant there’s gonna be some rockin

[@lawncuttingplusdelta]

Down payment blues ! And much more .... so many hits !!

[@geraldfriend256]

Ride On is the best slow blues song ever recorded by a rock and roll band.Change my mind.Prove me wrong.

[@kellybrown9517]

Thank you my friend! I needed this to encourage me to shuffle my favorite Bon Scott era CDs back at the top!! Lots of memories for me as I enter my 4th decade following these rockers! I know there are way too many heavy licks in Malcolm's tenure to get them all in this spot but I would have loved to heard you jam the intro to Night Prowler!! (My fav lyrics by Bon) Thanks again! Rock on.

[@boldorbiker]

As a 56 year old growing up in Oz, it was such a privilege watching them in early/mid seventies on local tv, and following acadaca on the local charts, so good, so fat, so brilliant, so Malcolm Young! and love Bon, Angus, Brian and Phil, oh man they still sound fcking incredible in 2023.

[@TriggB44]

Music is definitely a universal language, so cool to hear a fellow 🇮🇹dig these notes🤘☮️🤍🎶🇮🇹🥳🇮🇹

[@bubamaranovichok4901]

Thank you brother. Everyone overlooked Malcolm’s geniuses, who carried the whole band on his back!

[@davidshaffer4664]

Malcolm Young was a genius

[@alwaysright3718]

AC/DC played at my high school in the 70's....

[@tomfrankiewicz7951]

I really wish there was much more fan fare when Malcolm Young passed away. He deserved more recognition

[@tylerwarren8139]

Great playing. You really captured Malcolm's tone and feel! Another great video!

[@toddmurphy390]

They were super fortunate to meet 2 singers that could compliment all of these killer riffs. Without that synchronicity they would have become a footnote in the halls of obscure instrument driven bands.

[@ProudAussie23]

Not as fortunate as you think .....they were guided early on by Harry Vanda and George Young ( Angus and Malcoms older brother) Those two knew their way around the music industry and would have given great advice . Both Bon Scott and Brian Johnson had been around the music industry for many years in other bands and were very experienced . They were both very considered choices by some very smart operators.

[@B0bi_007]

I like Malcolm's rhythm for Thunderstruck, it got so much groove.

[@tommybinson]

I agree. I love the impact when Malcolm enters the 1991 live album's version of Thunderstruck.

[@Krazy_KZs_Garage]

Awesome video and ribs. Well played. Thank you very much for posting this

[@fivecitydirttracker4776]

Rock Gods...... enjoyed this..first time here. ✌️ From coast of Cali......"Rock ✊!"

[@haveguitar]

Those classic riffs... I don't listen to'em as much nowadays as I did as a teenager but the riffs and the songwriting was soooooo good! Great video!!

[@derekferguson2328]

Malcolm once said to a journalist " We're not a rock band, We're a rock and roll band. There's only two of us left now, us and the Stones ". I'll take his description over anybody's opinion any day.

[@WendyBentleyWendysKittenMingle]

Thank you for this video!!!

[@ShaneMcJay]

Well done! Massive DC fan and have been mimicking Malcom’s sound for years. You’re probably the only KZbin guitarist who’s nailed his push/pulls and muting. Great work!!

[@gpetheri]

"Done dirty cheap".... that did give me a good laugh. Excellent video.

[@robertoperfecto9041]

All their best while dear departed Bon was with us. RIP

[@luizzdea]

Great video as always! I love your riff videos

[@Andre_tc]

That's how you play it. Both right and left hands. Well done!

[@daverbenson4834]

You Absolutely Nailed Them Riffs Dude!

[@karmicselling4252]

Bravo Danilo. Thank You for mentioning your SG isn't a Gretsch. That clearly shows you know your stuff. Malcolm really loved his Gretsch and boy didn't he produce some incredible tones with it. Love all the riffs you selected but "Jailbreak" and "Highway To Hell" along with "TNT" and "It's a Long Way ..." are "AC/DC 101" to us Aussies. Malcolm had this wonderful knack of using simple chord progressions to produce powerful melodic rhythm tracks which provided fantastic landscapes for Angus to soar over. The Bon Scott era of AC/DC was much loved by us Aussies. No disrespect to Brian who has done a wonderful job. But for many of us, AC/DC was never the same after Bon left the building!

[@jovanpantelic8536]

Graet video. Nicely presented

[@gertpersson4271]

So much Love!

[@leandrochristian9557]

Malcolm probably was the better riff maker of rock!

[@lucadicorcia8788]

Unfortunately they are all the same

[@joeledwardgunscristinoponc983]

@@lucadicorcia8788 Yo creo que después del Back In Black sus rolas ya no eran igual que antes

[@kingarthur1776]

@@lucadicorcia8788 try to play em

[@vitortroian6373]

I personally prefer tony iommi

[@stricknine8623]

@@lucadicorcia8788 You mean that you can't tell the difference between "Highway to Hell",...."Get it Hot" and "Girls got Rhythm" ??

[@bassettraceengines]

Great job dude !!!

[@Mickcotton]

I love this So Much ❤️ Thank You 🙏

[@gregorybrown7818]

Epic, brother. You brought back my entire life in 8:47. Thanks Mal !!!

[@method1024]

Great analysis. Thanks

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks Danilo, great video! 👍

[@vaughnslavin9784]

Thank you! Great education!

[@justasimpleman3652]

Thank you for that great vid. Mal was and still is one of my heros

[@DaniloVicari]

Thank you, can't believe it's already 4 years today..

[@justasimpleman3652]

@@DaniloVicari so do i… but he is rocking with bon now !

[@Redspeciality]

Você é muito bom! I got to see AC/DC in 1978 at Day on the Green in Oakland. They were awesome. Bon Scott walked way out into the audience with Angus riding on his shoulders while he was playing Let There be Rock.

[@thorman944]

just hearing the intro, before you started playing your guitar, I hit the 'like' button. YOU get it. Why Malcolm Young is one of or perhaps, even, the most influential guitarist in rock.

[@marshabonforte6963]

I always thought that Malcolm was the real guitar hero in this band. Very under appreciated.

[@DavidSimpson-dm9kf]

Congrats on producing a GREAT guitar sound, very clean indeed. Great riffs :)

[@donatson]

Incredible tuning! Well played in so relaxed manner!

[@Twin_solo_az]

Seeing AC/DC and “genius” in the same sentence is something I didn’t think I’d ever see.

[@thevodkatourists3014]

Bravo, Danilo 👍🎸

[@mightymadzak]

Great video!

[@zeppelinmexicano]

Well done!

[@nowhearthis5067]

You play these very well young man.

[@influenceofozzy]

Awesome Danilo

[@SR-xk8cd]

Great video, you played those Malcolm Young (R.I.P) riffs very well, you’re a gifted guitarist.

[@daveschachne]

In addition to a Gretch, Malcolm used ablonde maple Gibson L6-S modified in 1976; his team gutted neck pick-up, pick guard and the Bill Lawrence tone circuit and added a 2nd cutaway to make it a double cutaway L6-S. By coincidence, I had a (1974) L6-S, which I re-wired and made into a double cutaway circa 1982.😍

[@philippwehrle8190]

great video! 😌

[@bran1dav]

Great video. I love how you showcased some riffs that weren't no. 1 hits (yet still great).

[@felipemarcondes1921]

Awesome 👏🏻

[@jean-marielaplaud4996]

Excellent!Merci à vous.

[@johnsalaman503]

Great job as always..

[@roccoblack2355]

That sound is absolutely perfect and you play well too. Awesome.

[@uranium2359]

Nice guitar playing man..... You sound right on point....

[@oscar35575]

Very well done !

[@FilipeDiogo49]

Bravo Danilo!

[@daniloctebsb]

Danilo's from around the world, United!

[@Simmo_Cars]

This is the greatest AC/DC playing that isn’t obviously the man himself. I loved everything about the playing sounded so amazing. I cannot say how much I love the tone of all the riffs. I love For Those About To Rock for the reason you said. Perfection! I also think that shot down in flames should deserve a mention, that is one of their greatest riffs in my opinion 🤘🤘 Thanks for this video!

[@DaniloVicari]

Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it!🙏🏻

[@Brandi6666]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 you make it look so easy

[@somegirl558]

RIP to Malcolm. And I like your vids and how you see the world - so on point with stuff ! 🤘🏻👌🏻✌🏻

[@samanthastobart2008]

Great playing! The editing made me me feel sick but sounded great

[@knifetimestory]

Thank you. That was awesome. BTW, your left hand is exceptionally graceful and confident!!

[@cryptoslacker-464]

Great video 👍

[@rogerbee697]

Bravo! You dialed in that SG perfect.

[@SunilKumar-dr8iu]

Great. Awesome.

[@glennrocker649]

Danilo you are a legend my friend, they have been my band since my early days of being a teenager, I used to pay $2.00 to see them perform at my school and when I was old enough $5.00 to see them perform in my local pubs here in Melbourne, now I am 62 and keep their music alive singing with my band over here, even AC/DC first singer Dave Evans owns some of my amps he uses on stage, you just brought some magic to me knowing how my boys have travelled around the world and injected pure Rock-n-roll to everyone thank you brother, all I can say is my motto keep Rockin

[@joseynovember6503]

Awesome 🤘.

[@hookipaboy3412]

Mahalo Danilo for all your great guitar videos!Aloha from Hawaii🤙🏽

[@craigstandridge2240]

Very clean sound dude!

[@peterjonstefan2926]

WOW , ALL I CAN Say!! they had some kind of magic and driving force in their sound which seemed to me to touch a core of power inside us. and your playing!! awesome, wish you had a web site of instructional courses on various topics and styles.