AC/DC’S ANGUS YOUNG AND CLIFF WILLIAMS DISCUSS DRUMMER PHIL RUDD, YOUNG SAYS “THE GUY NEEDS TO SORT HIMSELF OUT”
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
Bring Simon Wright back-the best fit if Phil can’t do it.
How about Dave Lombardo? I don’t like slayer at all, but I think he has talent. No doubt they already have someone lined up, but if they’re auditioning people they should give him a call.
Really don’t get the loyalty to Peter Criss. He was an asset to Kiss in the early days, and maybe the first couple of years of the reunion, but in my opinion he hasn’t shown the commitment to put his talent to good use for the rest of the 40 plus years since Kiss’ first album.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/acdc-malcolm-young-phil-rudd-rock-or-bust-20141114
Interesting read here.
AC/DC lose a member and shortly after drugs lead to Phil’s exit from the band. Funny how history repeats itself.
So they knew about Malcom’s condition years ago. Wonder why they didn’t help Rudd…but then they probably tried but like David Crosby once the hard stuff sets in nothing will work til arrest or near death.