'Sorry for this oversight': Developers demolish Sydney house where Aussie music icons AC/DC got together

It was a house that gave birth to a worldwide rock 'n' roll phenomenon.

But as they say, nothing stands in the way of progress, and the developers have rolled in and over the birthplace of AC/DC.

The small two bedroom semi was bought by a developer in March 2023 for $5.8 million.

It was being rented out at the time.

In December it was knocked over, a piece of Australian history gone.

And you can imagine how fans and historians are feeling.

Number 4 Burleigh Street, Burwood was visited by fans from around the world.

The Young family moved into the home near Burwood train station in Sydney's Inner West in 1965, after initially living at the Villawood Migrant Hostel.

In the same huge family from Glasgow, Scotland were three brothers who would go on to be among the greatest guitarists and songwriters in history.

Angus and Malcolm started AC/DC and older brother George helped form the Easybeats with Stevie Wright and others who met at Villawood.

George would eventually manage AC/DC, sending them off onto international fame and fortune.

Angus explained the madness at Burleigh Street when George and the Easybeats hit the big time and a music magazine published the address where they practiced.

"I just saw all these people, I saw police 'cos they kind of barricaded it off and I was trying to explain to the policeman," he said.

"I'm saying, you know, I live there can I get in my house, and the policeman said, 'yeah they're all saying that, fella'," he said.

He explained how he and Malcolm were discovered in that very home by the Easybeats' record company manager Ted Albert.

Burwood Council long celebrated the Young family connection: there's a tribute to the house and the boys on its website.

Last year it commissioned a mural of Angus and Malcolm on the side of a terrace house just metres away from their old home.

Mayor John Faker was proud as punch at the mural's unveiling.

"Not many people know that AC/DC, this is their birthplace and they lived here at 4 Burleigh Street," he said.

"So it was a no brainer, we really wanted to recognise that and celebrate that and showcase that to the world."

It counted for nothing.

Heritage consultant Dr Bronwyn Hanna had the house listed on the National Trust as a place of cultural importance, but it wasn't heritage listed by any level of government.

"This was the starting place, a very modest little starting place," Hanna said.

"It's this tiny little two bedroom terrace, it's a very modest little house.

"It's not listed because it's a grand house, it's listed because of the association with three of our most successful musicians.

"Burwood Council should have listed the Young home because it's one of the most historically significant places in their local government area.

"It's such an honour that these three amazing musicians moved into this little house and just turned into a global force."

Former AC/DC band member Mark Evans remembers those days fondly.

"It was belovedly known as Burleigh Beach Casino. You walked in, Angus and Malcolm's room was on the right hand side, you walked out into an open area and they had the pool table out there," he said.

As does former bassist Rob Taylor.

"Every time you were there you know Angus would be in a room and he'd be practicing 'cos that's what he did, you know," he said.

"If there was a guitar there Angus had it and he'd be playing."

In the place of that music history will be an enormous 144m, fifty-storey tower with 120 hotel rooms and 48 affordable housing apartments.

Astonishingly, the developer responsible, Burwood Square, says it had no idea it had knocked down the Youngs' house, despite conducting due diligence on the site.

General manger Leon Kamita, said: "Unfortunately the historical connection to AC/DC was not identified, and we regret the previous long-term owner did not share this vital part of the property's background with us.

"We are genuinely sorry for this oversight."

They will seek a collaboration with the Young family to honour them within the new development.

Burwood Council says the house didn't meet the heritage list criteria and it was not involved in approving the demolition.

With the home gone, fans are left only with the mural to honour the birthplace of one of the greatest acts in history.

Statement from Leon Kamita General Manager of Burwood Square Pty Ltd

"On behalf of the team at Burwood Square, I want to convey our heartfelt regret that we have only just learnt of the cultural significance of 4 Burleigh Street, the former home of AC/DC, one of music history's most iconic bands.

We now recognise how deeply this location resonates with the AC/DC community and fans worldwide.

As we developed plans for this space, we conducted due diligence, including consulting heritage registers and collaborating with experts in the field.

Unfortunately, the historical connection to AC/DC was not identified at that stage, and we regret that the previous long-term owner did not share this vital part of the property's background with us.

We are genuinely sorry for this oversight.

Learning about this connection after our plans were already underway has shocked us.

We feel a strong responsibility to honour AC/DC's legacy and to make amends to all the fans who hold this band in such high regard.

While we cannot change the past, we are dedicated to celebrating this significant part of their story.

We are now salvaging materials from the demolition to create a special space, such as a café, bar, or live music venue, where fans can gather to celebrate the band's enduring legacy.

We are also committed to seeking a collaboration with the Young family, fan groups and cultural experts to ensure our tribute is meaningful and respectful.

Burwood Council has already acknowledged AC/DC's connection to the area with an impressive mural nearby, and we share in that commitment.

We aim to ensure that our development also serves as a lasting tribute to their cultural impact.

To the global fanbase of AC/DC, please know that we hear you, appreciate your deep admiration for this legendary band, and are devoted to making this right."

Statement from Burwood Council

The Young family's contribution to the Australian music scene has been widely recognised by Burwood Council and fans across the globe, and we like many others are saddened and disappointed by the demolition of 4 Burleigh Street, Burwood. Approval to demolish the property at 4 Burleigh Street was not granted by Burwood Council.

The owner, under State Government Planning Controls, engaged a private certifier authorised to issue a Complying Development Certificate, requiring only two days' notice to Council before demolition works commence.

Council has long-maintained that the Young House, located at 4 Burleigh Street Burwood has a special association with Australia's rock music history as the site where band AC/DC formed.

In recognition of this, in 2015 Burwood Council proactively engaged independent heritage specialist, City Plan Heritage, to assess the potential heritage significance of 4 Burleigh Street.

The study by City Plan Heritage cited that the "listing of No.4 Burleigh Street in Schedule 5 of the Burwood Local Environment Plan 2012 as a heritage item is not recommended. The item fails to meet the significance assessment criteria".

Notwithstanding the above, in recognition of the cultural significance of the Young family and their connection to Burwood, Council continues to undertake initiatives to celebrate their legacy. These include commissioning a mural by artist Claire Foxton near the site at 12 Burleigh Street and coordinating a 300 person strong choir medley celebrating their contributions.

Burwood Council remains committed to finding new ways to celebrate the Young family including engaging in discussions with the owner of 4 Burleigh Street to encourage any and all opportunities to honour the area's rich musical history.