The End of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Landmark: The Demolition of AC/DC’s Family Home
In a shocking turn of events, the humble family home where the legendary rock band AC/DC was founded has been demolished by a property developer in Australia. Located at 4 Burleigh Street in the Sydney suburb of Burwood, this modest house held immense cultural significance as the birthplace of one of the world’s most iconic rock bands. For decades, fans from across the globe made pilgrimages to this unassuming address, drawn by its connection to the band’s early days. Yet, despite its historical importance, the house fell victim to the relentless march of urban development, leaving many in the music community in mourning.
A House Steeped in Rock History
The story of 4 Burleigh Street begins with the Young family, Scottish immigrants who settled in Australia in the 1960s. Malcolm and Angus Young, the guitar-wielding brothers who would go on to form AC/DC, spent their formative years in this small, two-bedroom brick house. Their older brother, George Young, a guitarist for the Easybeats, also lived there during the band’s early days. The house became a hub of creativity, where the brothers honed their craft and laid the foundations for what would become one of rock music’s most enduring legacies. Little wonder, then, that the home became a place of pilgrimage for AC/DC fans, eager to connect with the band’s humble beginnings.
The Young family’s journey to Australia was a testament to their resilience and ambition. After arriving in the country, they initially lived in a migrant hostel before moving to Burleigh Street in 1965. The house quickly became a bustling haven for the siblings, where music filled the air and the seeds of rock stardom were sown. By the time the Easybeats gained fame, the house had become a hotspot for fans, with hundreds of young girls descending upon it after the address was published in a fan magazine. In the chaos, a young Angus Young was trampled, an incident that has since become part of the house’s lore. This storied past only added to the home’s allure, making its demolition all the more poignant.
The Demolition and the Developer’s Regret
In March 2023, the house was sold to a property developer, Burwood Square, for 5.8 million Australian dollars ($3.6 million). Tragically, the developer was unaware of the home’s cultural significance, even after conducting due diligence. Leon Kamita, the company’s general manager, expressed regret over the demolition, stating that the historical connection to AC/DC was not identified before plans to raze the site were underway. The developers had envisioned transforming the lot into a 50-story tower, complete with 120 hotel rooms and 48 affordable housing apartments. While the project promises to bring modernity and convenience to the area, it comes at the cost of erasing a piece of rock history.
The demolition has sparked widespread outrage among fans and music historians, who argue that the house should have been preserved as a heritage site. The property’s tragic fate serves as a stark reminder of the often-overlooked importance of cultural landmarks in the face of urban development. As the tower rises, many can’t help but wonder what could have been done to save the house and honor its legacy.
The House’s Turbulent Past and the Fight for Preservation
Long before its demolition, the house at 4 Burleigh Street had lived a life far removed from its rock ‘n’ roll glory days. After the Young family moved out in 1978, the property fell into disrepair. By 1985, it had been converted into a brothel, a far cry from its days as a creative hub. Later, it served as a medical practice and was rented out to various tenants over the years. Despite its storied past, the house was never granted official heritage protection, leaving it vulnerable to demolition.
Efforts to preserve the house were made over the years, most notably in 2003 when rock historian Glenn A. Baker championed its protection in an article for the Sydney Morning Herald. Baker argued that the house deserved to be “deified” as a cultural treasure, given its role in shaping Australia’s rock music history. While the property was listed on the Australian National Trust Register in 2013, this recognition did not afford it the legal protection needed to prevent its destruction. In 2015, the Burwood Council conducted a review to determine whether the house should be designated as a heritage site. Ultimately, the council decided against the move, citing the brevity of the Young family’s time there and the property’s lack of aesthetic or technical significance. This decision has since been arreglo by many as a missed opportunity to save a piece of musical history.
The Community’s Response and the Developer’s Olive Branch
In the aftermath of the demolition, both the Burwood Council and the developer have sought to address the controversy. While the council acknowledged the house’s special association with AC/DC’s history, it also emphasized its commitment to celebrating the band’s legacy through other initiatives, such as the commissioning of a mural near the site. For its part, Burwood Square has expressed regret over the demolition, stating that it had no knowledge of the house’s cultural importance before purchasing the property. In an attempt to make amends, the company has salvaged materials from the demolition, with plans to create a special space where fans can gather to honor the band’s memory. These gestures, while well-intentioned, have done little to ease the pain of losing the physical site where AC/DC’s story began.
CNN has reached out to representatives of AC/DC for comment, but as of now, the band has not issued a statement on the matter. For fans, the loss of the house is more than just the destruction of a building—it’s the erasure of a tangible connection to the band’s early days and the humble beginnings of a rock ‘n’ roll legend. While the memories of 4 Burleigh Street will live on in the hearts of AC/DC devotees, the demolition serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of cultural heritage in the face of progress.
