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
All of this drummer speculation is plain silly. They’re not gonna pay any star top dollar when they can get a quality guy that would appreciate the gig. I would like to credit Scott Travis of JUDAS PRIEST with being the best drummer in metal at this time. REDEEMER OF SOULS is great and he is a tremendous part of that. I hope AC/DC can get a guy with that type of energy. It is strange hearing Cliff Williams as one of the voices of the band. I’m looking forward to this new album. As far as Rudd goes? Adious Amigo. His band mates deserve better. Anybody like THE ENDLESS RIVER, the new PINK FLOYD release? It has beautiful moments and it is rather soothing while driving.
Guy from arch enemy is the best metal drummer out right now.
So great you don’t even know his name. Truth be told, minus the make-up controversy, Eric Singer is a great drummmer. Check out his work on THE ETERNAL IDOL. Really stellar.
Exactly, that’s why Mike Portnoy should drum for AC/DC.
Singer actually is a great drummer. Make up aside he’s one of the best currently out there. Totally agree on Scott Travis. He gave Priest a much needed kick in the bum after they turfed that child molester. As for Floyd, I’m trying to enjoy it, but I’m not there yet. Yes there are moments and I realize these were scraps from Division Bell (one of the best albums btw), but I’ll admit listening to all the instrumental stuff makes me feel like I should either be at a spa or a new age seminar.
Do y’all realize how extremely rare this is for AC/DC to be speaking publicly about an internal band matter? This is unprecedented.
That’s true. They didn’t even say too much back in the 80’s when Malcolm sat out the Blow Up Your Video tour to go to rehab. They are very private guys. Good job on getting this story to this site Harry.
AC/DC contracts are massive…nowhere near U2 or Madonna but you better believe the promoters expect the previous tour A+ delivery…..and I guarantee you Rudd has been long gone, he’s a wreck not to mention pending legal issues….and Japan is out of the question. Angus wants the steak out there not a cold Whopper.
Does anyone really think Phil Rudd is irreplaceable? He’s not in the top 20 greatest rock drummers.My opinion is Chris Slade is the best drummer they ever had. The only people you can’t replace in this band are Brian and Angus. Give the poor bastard in the video a shot at being the drummer , he at least showed up to the shoot.
Best post on this topic so far.
I agree that as long as Brian & Angus are there the arenas will fill up, but Phil is the true drummer for AC/DC and any other drummer is just occupying his seat.
Wow, it’s very unusual to hear members of ac/dc speak out like this. I guess they are practically telling us that the tour will be with another drummer. Chris Slade would be good but the question is if he can do a large scale world tour nowdays. He is 68, only one year younger than Peter Criss even though he seems to be in better shape. Simon Wright can do it. He’s 51 and still at the peak of his career. The only question is if he really wants to rejoin the band he once left by his own wish and if he wants to give up his spot in Geoff Tate band and Hellion.