AC/DC‘s Aussie childhood Home â˘Razed: Developers Issue Apology
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The childhood home â¤of âAC/DC’s Angus andâ Malcolm Young, a meaningful site in âŁAustralian rock history, has been demolished, sparking controversy and prompting an apology from the developers. Located at â4 Burleigh Street âinâ Sydney’s Burwood suburb, the house held a special placeâ in the hearts of fans, serving as the âbirthplace â˘ofâ 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, â˘the âsame year their older brother âGeorge Young’s band, The Easybeats, released⢠their debut album, Easy. This adds another layer to the property’s past meaning,â highlighting its role in shaping a significant chapter in Australian music.
Burwood Square Pty Ltd, the company responsible for the demolition, issued a âstatement⢠expressing regret. General âmanager Leon kmita stated, â˘âWe regret âthat the previous long-term owner did not share this vital part of the propertyâs background with us. Learning about this connection after our plans were already underway has shocked us.⢠We are genuinely sorry for⤠this oversight.â
Kmita continued, expressing remorse âfor the⢠demolition and the impact on AC/DCâ fans: â˘âOn behalf of the team at Burwood Square, I âwant âto⣠conveyâ our â¤heartfelt regret ⌠we now recognise how deeply this location resonates with âthe AC/DC community and fans worldwide. We feelâ a strong responsibility to honor⣠AC/DCâs legacy and to make amends to all the fans who hold this band in such high regard. Whileâ we cannot⤠change the past, we are dedicatedâ to celebrating this significant part of their story. To the global fanbase of AC/DC, â˘please know that we hear you, appreciate your deep admirationâ for this legendary band, and are devoted to making this right.â
Theâ developers plan to use salvaged materials from the demolition to create⣠a commemorative space, possibly a cafĂŠ or bar, where fans can gather to celebrate the âbandâs 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, âAs it is indeed not heritage listed or protected under local or state legislation, and⣠as The National⢠Trust is âŁa 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 âŁareaâs rich musical heritage.â This statement highlights the complexities of preserving historical âŁsites without formal legal⢠protection.
Burwood â˘Square âŁpurchased the property in early 2023 for $5.8 million. Before its conversion into a medical practice,the three-bedroom house on âa 260-square-meter lot last sold for⣠$962,500 in late 2011.
AC/DC’sâ Aussieâ Childhood Home Demolished: A Conversation wiht âMusic Historian Dr. Evelyn Stone
The childhood home of AC/DC’s⢠Angus and Malcolm⢠Young, a significantâ site in Australian rock history, âwas demolished sparking controversy and an apology from the developers. â Located in âSydney’s â¤Burwood suburb, â˘the house,â added to Australia’s National Trustâ Register of Historic Houses in 2013, was unexpectedly razed before Christmas. This interview with Dr. Evelyn Stone, a leading expert on Australianâ rock music, delves into the cultural impact of âthe demolition and the complexitiesâ of preserving musical heritage.
The loss of a âRock ‘n’ â˘Roll⤠Landmark
Senior Editor: Dr. stone, the demolition of the Young âfamily home has shocked many AC/DC fans. Can⤠you speak to the significance of âthis⣠site in âAustralian music history?
Dr.Stone: Absolutely.â This âwasn’t just âany house;â it was⢠the birthplace⣠of one of âŁAustralia’s most iconic bands. AC/DC emerged from these walls, honing their craft and developing the raw energy that wouldâ define their sound. The houseâ 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 â˘their apology isâ sufficient?
Dr. Stone: It’s a positive step âŁthat thay have âacknowledgedâ the mistake and expressed âremorse.However, the damage⤠is done. â˘This was a unique piece of Australian cultural heritage,â and its loss will be⤠felt deeply by fans and music âhistorians alike.
Preserving Musical Heritage:â A Complex Issue
Senior Editor: The⢠house was on the National trust Register but not formally heritage-listed.Does thisâ highlight a broader issue⤠regarding the protection of significant music sites in Australia?
Dr. Stone: ⢠Unfortunately, yes. Many critically important music sites lack âformal⤠protection.⢠Listings often focus on buildings with architectural significance, â˘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. âIdentifyingâ andâ documenting places of musical significance, engaging with communities and â˘fans, and advocating⤠for legislative âchanges that recognize the cultural value⤠of⣠these sites âare all crucial steps.
Moving Forward:⢠Commemoration and Remembrance
Senior Editor: The developersâ have proposed â¤creating a commemorative space using salvaged materials âfrom âthe âdemolished 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 â˘can’t fully replace what was lost.A âŁphysical space where the band’s story unfolded carries aâ unique emotional weight. Perhaps this commemorative spaceâ could serve as a⣠starting point for a broader â˘conversation about the importance of preserving⢠musical heritage.
Senior âŁEditor: Dr. âStone,thank âŁyou for âŁsharingâ yoru insightsâ on this important issue.