AC/DC Producer GEORGE YOUNG, Brother Of MALCOLM And ANGUS YOUNG, Dead At 70

George Young, the brother of AC/DC co-founders Malcolm and Angus Young, has died at the age of 70.

A former member of THE EASYBEATS, George co-produced AC/DC's early albums, including "TNT", "Dirty Deeds Done Cheap" and "Let There Be Rock". He started his own production company when THE EASYBEATS split in 1970 and was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame in 1988 and again as a member of THE EASYBEATS in 2005. He returned to co-produce AC/DC's 1988 album "Blow Up Your Video" and 2000's "Stiff Upper Lip".

AC/DC said in a statement the band would not exist without Young's "help and guidance".

"As a musician, songwriter, producer, advisor and much, much more, you could not ask for a more dedicated and professional man," the statement read.

"You could not ask for a finer brother. We will always remember him with gratitude and hold him close to our hearts."

Albert Music, the publishing company that handled both THE EASYBEATS and AC/DC, mourned Young's death. "It is with great sadness that Alberts acknowledge the passing of George Young," Albert CEO David Albert wrote in a statement. "A consummate songwriter, trailblazing producer, artist, mentor and extraordinary musician, George was above all else a gentleman who was unfailingly modest, charming, intelligent and loyal — a man with a wonderful sense of humor. George was a pioneer who, with close friends Harry Vanda and [company namesake] Ted Albert, created a new sound for the Australian music industry."

Australian singer Jimmy Barnes also paid tribute to George Young, tweeting: "George Young RIP What a huge loss for music. A great songwriter, producer and a great human being."

Photo courtesy of MAD Ink PR