AC/DC Co-Founder Malcolm Young Dies After Battle With Dementia

NEW YORK, NY — Malcolm Young, the rhythm guitarist and guiding force behind the Australian hard rock band AC/DC, has died. He was 64.

AC/DC announced the death on their official Facebook page and website Saturday. The posts did not say when or where Young died.

Young was diagnosed with dementia in 2014. He died peacefully with his family by his side, a statement said.

Band representatives didn't immediately return emails seeking comment. Young formed the group with his brother, Angus.

AC/DC was remarkably consistent for more than four decades with its mix of driving hard rock and bluesy shuffles, selling more than 200 million albums, surviving the loss of its first singer and creating one of the greatest rock records in history in "Back in Black," the world's second best-selling album behind Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

By MARK KENNEDY, AP Entertainment Writer

Photo credit: Yui Mok/PA via AP