Very disturbing news about the Phil Rudd situation. I’ve been reading the various media reports and it obviously sounds very serious and sad if true. As usual before making any judgements I’d prefer to wait to see how it all plays out and what the legal system determines. A few things are obvious however. It is hard to believe the band and their reps didn’t know something was coming down with Rudd and explains why he was not in the official press photo and apparently the video for the “Play Ball” clip. You would have to think that they easily would have photo shopped him in to the press shot if it was just a conflict which kept him from making the session. Tons of bands do that and a band as major as AC/DC would not have released an official press photo without a key member if they didn’t sense there could be possible issues. Just makes no sense. The band has released a statement saying they didn’t know about anything until the news just broke but thinking it’s just coincidence that Rudd was not being in the photo is far reaching. They have stated everything is moving forward as planned. With a massive tour planned for next year unless he is exonerated from these accusations you would have to think AC/DC needs a new drummer ASAP. Not only for the tour but with the album coming promo appearances too. Do they go back to Chris Slade or Simon Wright? Or get totally new blood. Sad to see one of the great iconic bands now down two key members but the simple truth is neither loss will cost them one less ticket sold. Every band has the key members that if they lost would hurt the draw. In AC/DC’s case it’s Brian and of course Angus. That’s what the mainstream knows and sees. We are hardcore fans. We know and care if Bill Ward, Michael Anthony, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, etc aren’t there, and many of us still go as well. But to the masses as long as AC/DC plays the hits, Angus is the schoolboy, and Brian is singing, it won’t cost them a ticket. Right or wrong it’s just the truth. AC/DC has always been kind of stealth in the way they do things. Not releasing much info and very little social media presence. The Young brothers call all the shows and with Malcolm down that means Angus. Let’s see what the next moves are. No doubt more to come but as much as it sucks to lose the rock solid Rudd, this will no doubt not impact any plans that were already in place. Who do you think should play drums assuming it’s not Phil?
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I’m not the biggest fan of AC/DC, and certainly no authority on the history and inner workings of the band. However, I became very interested in their music when The Razor’s Edge came out, hence Chris Slade’s season with them. I was already into Slade from his stint with The Firm, and I simply love his style. So for me, I’m not sure that “The Rudd Situation,” will have a big impact either since there has already been a previous time that he was absent. With Malcolm Young gone, who really knows? To some, his absence may call for retirement of the band. But who knows what may have been decided among the family members, if anything. Obviously, if a band goes long enough, something will happen to one member, then another, and so on until nothing’s left. So what now? Like you said, who fills the bill on the throne? Personally, I’d be stoked over a return by Slade, I mean seriously!!! But I’m thinking that there will also be some fallout, at least on the business end (potential tour sponsors, advertising, etc.) as the press is eating this up as the new current scandal. How do they market the new album? Do they leave it as is, or do they rework it? Do they hold off on their release/tour plans until things settle, and the details become forgotten in the short minds of the general public? The next few weeks will be very interesting to gauge what transpires.
I totaly agree with the return of slade. But replacing malcom to me would b like zep replacing bonzo..i just cant imagen ac/dc with out malcom..
How ‘ bout this: Phil Rudd remains as drummer because charges are BOGUS!
Any chance there’s another “Young” family member who plays drums??
They have a nephew James Young I think. He was the drummer for the Australian band The Poor.
My guess is that they already have their drummer and were just waiting till this info was released. They can still gear up for the tour without looking like they have already replaced him. Eddie your absolutely right that they won’t miss any ticket sales. I would assume they will stick to a more classic rock player rather than bring in a young gun like sabbath did. Maybe Mike portnoy would be available to join another band……..
“Peter Criss on the drums”.
The band themselves might not have known anything was going on. He did just release a solo album…