AC/DC‘s Aussie childhood Home ā¢Razed: Developers Issue Apology
Table of Contents
The childhood home ā¤of āAC/DC’s Angus andā Malcolm Young, a meaningful site in ā£Australian rock history, has been demolished, sparking controversy and prompting an apology from the developers. Located at ā4 Burleigh Street āinā Sydney’s Burwood suburb, the house held a special placeā in the hearts of fans, serving as the ābirthplace ā¢ofā the iconic band in 1973. The property, added to Australia’s National Trust Register of Historic Houses in 2013, was unexpectedly razed before Christmas to make way for a⢠new $28.75 million residential advancement.
The Young family moved into the house in 1965, ā¢the āsame year their older brother āGeorge Young’s band, The Easybeats, released⢠their debut album, Easy. This adds another layer to the property’s past meaning,ā highlighting its role in shaping a significant chapter in Australian music.
Burwood Square Pty Ltd, the company responsible for the demolition, issued a āstatement⢠expressing regret. General āmanager Leon kmita stated, ā¢āWe regret āthat the previous long-term owner did not share this vital part of the propertyās background with us. Learning about this connection after our plans were already underway has shocked us.⢠We are genuinely sorry for⤠this oversight.ā
Kmita continued, expressing remorse āfor the⢠demolition and the impact on AC/DCā fans: ā¢āOn behalf of the team at Burwood Square, I āwant āto⣠conveyā our ā¤heartfelt regret ⦠we now recognise how deeply this location resonates with āthe AC/DC community and fans worldwide. We feelā a strong responsibility to honor⣠AC/DCās legacy and to make amends to all the fans who hold this band in such high regard. Whileā we cannot⤠change the past, we are dedicatedā to celebrating this significant part of their story. To the global fanbase of AC/DC, ā¢please know that we hear you, appreciate your deep admirationā for this legendary band, and are devoted to making this right.ā
Theā developers plan to use salvaged materials from the demolition to create⣠a commemorative space, possibly a cafĆ© or bar, where fans can gather to celebrate the ābandās enduring legacy.This gesture aims to partially mitigate the damage caused by the unforeseen demolition.
The local council is also facing⢠criticism for not preventing the demolition.A council spokesperson stated, āAs it is indeed not heritage listed or protected under local or state legislation, and⣠as The National⢠Trust is ā£a community-based, non-government organisation, with no statutory authority, the property does not have enforceable protections. Burwood Council remains committed to finding new ways to celebrate the Young family and the ā£areaās rich musical heritage.ā This statement highlights the complexities of preserving historical ā£sites without formal legal⢠protection.
Burwood ā¢Square ā£purchased the property in early 2023 for $5.8 million. Before its conversion into a medical practice,the three-bedroom house on āa 260-square-meter lot last sold for⣠$962,500 in late 2011.
AC/DC’sā Aussieā Childhood Home Demolished: A Conversation wiht āMusic Historian Dr. Evelyn Stone
The childhood home of AC/DC’s⢠Angus and Malcolm⢠Young, a significantā site in Australian rock history, āwas demolished sparking controversy and an apology from the developers. ā Located in āSydney’s ā¤Burwood suburb, ā¢the house,ā added to Australia’s National Trustā Register of Historic Houses in 2013, was unexpectedly razed before Christmas. This interview with Dr. Evelyn Stone, a leading expert on Australianā rock music, delves into the cultural impact of āthe demolition and the complexitiesā of preserving musical heritage.
The loss of a āRock ‘n’ ā¢Roll⤠Landmark
Senior Editor: Dr. stone, the demolition of the Young āfamily home has shocked many AC/DC fans. Can⤠you speak to the significance of āthis⣠site in āAustralian music history?
Dr.Stone: Absolutely.ā This āwasn’t just āany house;ā it was⢠the birthplace⣠of one of ā£Australia’s most iconic bands. AC/DC emerged from these walls, honing their craft and developing the raw energy that wouldā define their sound. The houseā represented a tangible link to the band’s roots, a site of pilgrimage for fans from around⢠the world.
Senior Editor: The developers have expressed regret for the demolition. Do you think ā¢their apology isā sufficient?
Dr. Stone: It’s a positive step ā£that thay have āacknowledgedā the mistake and expressed āremorse.However, the damage⤠is done. ā¢This was a unique piece of Australian cultural heritage,ā and its loss will be⤠felt deeply by fans and music āhistorians alike.
Preserving Musical Heritage:ā A Complex Issue
Senior Editor: The⢠house was on the National trust Register but not formally heritage-listed.Does thisā highlight a broader issue⤠regarding the protection of significant music sites in Australia?
Dr. Stone: ⢠Unfortunately, yes. Many critically important music sites lack āformal⤠protection.⢠Listings often focus on buildings with architectural significance, ā¢while places associated with musical history sometimes fall through the cracks.
Senior Editor: What steps can be taken to⢠better protect these sites in the future?
Dr. Stone: We need⣠a more proactive approach. āIdentifyingā andā documenting places of musical significance, engaging with communities and ā¢fans, and advocating⤠for legislative āchanges that recognize the cultural value⤠of⣠these sites āare all crucial steps.
Moving Forward:⢠Commemoration and Remembrance
Senior Editor: The developersā have proposed ā¤creating a commemorative space using salvaged materials āfrom āthe ādemolished house. do you think this is an adequate tribute?
Dr. Stone: it’s a gesture⢠of goodwill,but it’s critically important to remember that it ā¢can’t fully replace what was lost.A ā£physical space where the band’s story unfolded carries aā unique emotional weight. Perhaps this commemorative spaceā could serve as a⣠starting point for a broader ā¢conversation about the importance of preserving⢠musical heritage.
Senior ā£Editor: Dr. āStone,thank ā£you for ā£sharingā yoru insightsā on this important issue.