Elysa Gardner of USA Today reports:
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was behaving erratically long before his arrest last week, according to his bandmates.
Speaking with USA Today on November 13th, guitarist Angus Young and bassist Cliff Williams said that Rudd — who initially faced a murder-for-hire charge, which was dropped, but still stands accused of possessing methamphetamine and marijuana — was elusive during the recording of the group’s album, Rock or Bust, due December 2nd.
While the musicians were in the studio “it was tough to get (Rudd) there in the first place,” says Williams.
“It put us in a difficult situation,” says Young. And he says this continued through subsequent video and photo shoots. “It put us in a spot where we couldn’t move forward. Does the guy show up? Is he reliable to do his job in good shape? We’ve always been a solid, reliable unit.”
AC/DC has indeed resolved to move forward; it’s planning to tour next year. Whether Rudd will join his bandmates remains in question.
“Phil created his own situation,” says Young. “It’s a hard thing to say about the guy. He’s a great drummer, and he’s done a lot of stuff for us. But he seems to have let himself go. He’s not the Phil we’ve known from the past.”
Young speculates that drugs could be involved — “when you get into that land, it’s very hard” — but adds, “I don’t know the exact situation. … I can only say, from our perspective, that the guy needs to sort himself out.”
[Ed’s note: Thank you to our very own Harry Taint for sending the link to this story. Thanks Harry.)] 🙂
source: usatoday.com
55 Responses
Angus needs to ring up Peter Criss! Peter would be perfect with ACDC , I hope he gets the Job!
Not going to happen. Peter is soon to be 69 and his large scale touring days are over
And, more importantly, Peter has given more than we deserve of him. Although it would be cool if he would do that, I would rather see Peter sunning himself somewhere relaxed and content.
Did you not get the irony?
perhaps you need to take irony supplements so that it works better next time.
Eddie, you allways seem to not give Peter a chance when it comes to him playing again on a tour. IMO he looks like he’s in better shape than any other original Kiss member. I personally think he could pull it off. Is there something you know about his health that has not been made public like mabe MS or something? Ace is way out of shape last I seen. I realize playing the guitar isn’t near as hard as drums on your body of course. Does Peter tell you he can’t tour ever again? Just curious.
I say he could do it. Not that he’ll get the offer, but if it came it would be a great middle finger to Paul and Gene to see Peter playing on all those great AC/DC songs and killing it.
Would love to see Simon Wright back in that chair.
Surprised AC/DC stuck it out with Phil throughout the whole recording sessions of “Rock or Bust”. I guess it was out of mutual respect. Sounds eerily similar to Peter Criss during the “Dynasty” recording sessions. Only KISS did send him home and brought in Anton Fig to finish out the rest of the album. Until Phil gets his act together, AC/DC would be wise to part ways with him for the upcoming tour. Sadly it could also end up being that Phil will never again sit behind the kit for AC/DC.
Come on Phil, we’re all rooting for you, sort yourself out and get back on the Rock ‘N’ Roll Train! Good job Harry! 🙂
Exactly. Phil’s got a lot of us pulling for him.
“I don’t know the exact situation”. I’m so sick and tired of carefully worded answers. They know and have known. If he has meth on him what do you think he’s doing with it. One look at him and you get the answer.
There is no doubt he is hooked on meth. Although I don’t profess to be an expert on drug addiction I do have over 20 years in law enforcement and have seen time and time again people hooked on meth and what it does to them. He is, in my most honest of opinions, is hooked and in a bad spot. Anybody with even the slightest experience with this horrible addiction can see that just from the pictures. I love Phil and his drumming is a huge part of what made AC/DC what they are today. But they will never, ever be able to carry out a full scale tour with Phil in this condition. I’m not sure he should be kicked out of the band for good, but the man needs help and he will do AC/DC no justice out on the road on what could be their last tour. I wish him well, but from everything I’ve seen and read so far on this, the writing is on the wall. I’m sure his replacement is already in place.
So I’m listening to Jim Florentine’s “Metal Midgets” show on SiriusXM as I type this. He talked about Phil Rudd and his current legal situation. Basically the guy is just blowing it off as being “rock ‘n roll” and that’s what rock stars do. Uh no Jim, threatening to kill someone and doing meth is not “rock ‘n roll”. It’s pretty stupid actually.
I agree and was listening too. I love Jim and his stand up and his work with Eddie and Don, but I would have to disagree with his attempt at poking fun and making light of this situation. To be involved in a murder for hire plot and apparently getting hooked on meth is criminal, and a far cry from just stupid rock and roll star hijinx.