A real estate company “accidentally” demolished the house where Malcolm and Angus Young they formed AC/DC in 1973.
According to Australian news site news.com.au, the brothers and bandmates’ childhood home, located on Burleigh Street in Sydney’s Inner West, was demolished in recent weeks.
The semi-detached property was acquired by the development company in February 2023 for $5.8 million. The house had been included in the National Trust List of Historic Houses in 2013, after having become a tourist attraction for fans.
In a media statement, Burwood Square Pty Ltd general manager Leon Kmita said the company only learned of the house’s musical history after it was destroyed.
He said: “We regret that the previous long-term owner did not share with us this vital part of the property’s background.”
“We were surprised to find out about this connection when we were already planning something like this. We sincerely regret this oversight.”.
Kmita went on to say that his team was working to salvage materials from the site and create a “special space.” He explained that it could be a cafe or a bar where AC/DC fans could “come together to celebrate the band’s enduring legacy”.
“On behalf of the Burwood Square team, I want to express our sincerest regrets,” he continued. “We now recognize how deeply this place resonates with the AC/DC community and fans around the world.
“We feel a great responsibility to honor the legacy of AC/DC and to make peace with all the fans who hold this band in such high regard. “While we cannot change the past, we are dedicated to celebrating this significant part of its history.”
Addressing AC/DC’s “global fanbase” directly, Kmita promised to make up for the developers’ mistake. “Please know that we hear you, we appreciate your deep admiration for this legendary band and we are committed to making this right,” he concluded.
Reactions after Malcolm and Angus Young’s house is demolished
As Planet Rock points out, some fans have expressed their outrage online. One called the move an “absolute disgrace”, and another wrote: “It is terrible to see the history of not only Australian music and cultural history but also a potential tourist destination being destroyed! “It’s very sad!”
The house was number 4 Burleigh Street, and it is reported that the Burwood Square team also purchased property number 2 as part of their plans to build a $28.75 million residential site.
Burwood Council has committed to celebrate the legacy of AC/DC’s connection to the Sydney suburb. He has already commissioned a mural dedicated to Angus and Malcolm at 12 Burleigh Street, as well as an AC/DC choir medley to pay tribute to the musicians.
A statement said: “Burwood Council remains committed to finding new ways to celebrate the Young family and the area’s rich musical heritage.”
In 1963 the Young family moved to Burwood after emigrating from Scotland. Angus was only eight years old at the time. The family stayed in a hotel and then lived in several other houses in Burwood before moving permanently to 4 Burleigh Street in 1965.
Malcolm and Angus attended Burwood Primary School and then Ashfield Boys’ High School. The latter school’s uniform would inspire the iconic outfit that Angus would wear at AC/DC’s live shows..
Source: Ambito
I’m a recent graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. I started working as a news reporter for 24 Hours World about two years ago, and I’ve been writing articles ever since. My main focus is automotive news, but I’ve also written about politics, lifestyle, and entertainment.
