The article revisits comments made by the late Eddie Van Halen about Malcolm Young, the AC/DC rhythm guitarist and co-founder, following Young's death. Van Halen described Young as "the heart and soul of AC/DC" and recalled the pair sharing some of the best times of his life while touring Europe together in 1984, underlining the mutual respect between two of rock's most influential guitarists despite AC/DC and Van Halen having very different musical styles.

Van Halen, known for his technical flair and inventive lead playing, said he was drawn to the raw power of AC/DC's rhythm section, crediting Malcolm Young as the driving force behind the band rather than his more famous younger brother, Angus. Young stepped back from touring before his death, having battled dementia, and was remembered by bandmates for his relentless, hard-hitting playing style, reportedly wearing through guitar picks during performances. Van Halen's tribute highlighted the camaraderie built during the 1984 European tour and offered condolences to Young's family, bandmates and friends.