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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Bring Bill back to Sabbath and let Tommy Clufetos join AC/DC
I automatically thought Chris Slade but not too sure because of his reasons for leaving the band. Whoever it is…..it will still be an amazing show and I will be there front row here in Phoenix.
Kenny Aronoff would be my choice….he’s incredibly versatile playing all the way from John Mellencamp to filling in for Chad Smith in Chickenfoot.
Kenny Aronoff is a great drummer. I saw him play over the summer in John Fogerty’s band. The Fogerty tour is ramping up again so I would think that Aronoff not in the running for a new gig.
Jason Bonham.
Speaking of big bands having to fill drummer slots, Eddie, to your knowledge, were either Jason or Mike Portnoy ever considered/contemplated/even given a second thought for the Sabbath gig once Bill was not a viable option?
Sharon wanted Tommy (who I think does a great job by the way). There were no auditions or considerations
Actually, the press release does not say they didn’t know anything at all before the breaking news came in, it says they only just heard of the arrest! when everybody else was. Which does not mean they did not know that Phil might have to face something like this for weeks or months. Also what is called stealth could also mean these people just keep their private things private which I think is a positive trait and a smart strategy. If they knew about this happening for some time now they are probably already looking out for a possible replacement should these allegations turn out to be true.