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
Bun E Carlos would be a good fit.
Yes, he would be! Bun E. jamming with AC/DC back in the day, heard those recordings and they sounded awesome! Why not, right?
To quote what Rick Nielsen said about his own son’s drumming as well as Bun E. Carlos’: “He counts to four and starts over”. No nonsense, straight ahead rock and roll drumming.
I just hope the band doesn’t hire someone and puts him/her in Phil Rudd’s make up. Otherwise you guys will kill them for that.
hee hee hee hee….
Was that a KISS reference? Dude, I love KISS. They don’t talk enough KISS on this site. That STARCHILD never says anything controversial. And what’s with the bassist. He changed his name to Chiam to appeal to a broader audience. I wish people would stop trying to steal poor Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer’s make-up. Those 2 invented those characters and they do a lot for them. A worlds without KISS is like a world without heroes.
I appreciate you quoting a song title from their greatest album ever. It was so intricate that they had to get rid of Ace and Peter in order to pull off all the material that was on it. Many people don’t know this, but Ace was canned because he couldn’t play any of the lute stuff off The Elder live, he was too messed up. So when they hired Vinnie Vincent, they were looking for a lutist (no f’n clue if that’s actually a word). It was just plain luck that they hired a guy fluent in mid-evil instruments who also happened to be competent on guitar. When Vinnie had the idea for ‘A Million to One’ on Lick it Up, he originally play the intro to Paul on a lyre. True story….just ask Lee.
Simon is still in top form and won’t need much rehearsal. He came in on short notice before. As a huge fan, I’d like to see him in the band. Simon himself said he has no issues with them personally, he went to see them on the Black Ice tour.
I respect Angus and Cliff for publicly commenting on this. Phil is a mess. He’s addicted to meth, and has no teeth. He’s not the Phil we know as the machine behind the kit in AC/DC. I think – unfortunately – they will fire him before the Rock Or Bust tour and Bob Richards will take his place. The writing is on the wall.
You have to believe that these kind of statements coming from Angus Young and Cliff Williams means that Phil’s time with the band may be at an end. AC/DC is notoriously private and very tight lipped about the inner workings of the band, so Angus and Cliff being so outspoken is nearly like a press release.
I hope Phil can get himself right regardless of his music career. Strange, because I think his recently released album is really good.