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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Eddie, I agree with you one-hundred percent. The lack of Phil being in the group picture and in the videos all completely made sense once this morning’s news came out. They had to know. This is just their PR spin.
Kenny Aronoff could do it, but I would not want to see him in AC/DC. I doubt they’d pick him. It would have to be Bob Richards or Simon Wright. Phil fucked up. Kind of makes it interesting how in that interview he did recently he was saying that he would be on every upcoming album and tour AC/DC would ever do… it’s like it was a pre-emptive comment, possibly knowing he’d be in shit soon but trying to stake his claim in the band.
Hey Eddie call Portnoy that would be awesome but could they keep up with him?
You’d think it’d be easy for them to find a replacement with all the great drummers out there, but it’s not. They are the quintessential rock and roll band and need that no frills, in the pocket drumming that not a lot of drummers either want to play or simply can’t play. No excessive drum rolls, no off the wall time changes, just good old kick-snare-repeat with a cymbal splash or tom thump when needed. I’m sure they’ll find the right guy for the job.
I’m an AC/DC fan to the core and this makes me sad. First Malcolm and now this. Phil, in my opinion, is and always will be the greatest drummer. He is a machine when he’s behind the set. Bob Richards is a great choice to fill in. Hope they get things sorted out. On a brighter note, my 11 yr old daughter texted me at 6:30am asking if I had heard about AC/DC. I’m raising an AC/DC fan. Please keep us informed Eddie.