Former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd says he’d still like to rejoin the band – but not with Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose in the lineup.
He’s gearing up to restart his music career following the addiction and legal problems that led to his dismissal from Angus Young’s outfit.
While he recovers from heart surgery, he’s argued that Geoffrey Martin, the guitarist in his solo band, is better than ex-boss Malcolm Young.
Rudd tells the Bay Of Plenty Times, “If Angus wanted me to play then that’s up to him – but I don’t really want to play with Axl Rose. I don’t really rate him. Geoffrey is a great guitarist, just as good as Malcolm. Better than, if you ask me.”
He continues, “I had a f–king heart attack, but I’m good now. I was just at home and I started to feel just funny. I had a strange pain in my chest. My housekeeper took me to the hospital where they hooked me up and did all these tests. Turned out I had a big heart attack. My artery was all blocked up, and they said I had to stay in and have an operation.”
But, he adds, “I sneaked out to the shop to get some cigarettes, then I realized I had no car, so I walked home to get the Ferrari and drove back to the hospital.”
Rudd, 62, spent eight months under home detention after he was convicted of threatening to kill an employee along with a number of drugs offenses.
He says he’s “healthy and got so much color in my cheeks,” and he’s just signed a deal to re-release solo album, Head Job, and promote it on a 2017 European tour, set to include a series of festival appearances.
“I made mistakes,” he admits. “But, I’m really good now. I really appreciate the support of the fans around the world, which kept me going through some of the dark times. I cannot wait to play music for them. It’s going to rock.”
AC/DC, who replaced Rudd with former drummer Chris Slade, complete their current tour commitments next month. The band’s future remains in doubt following the retirement of Malcolm Young, the departure of vocalist Brian Johnson and the upcoming retirement of bassist Cliff Williams.
AC/DC Rock Or Bust US dates 2016
Sep 1: Atlanta Phillips Arena, GA
Sep 4: Columbus Nationwide Arena, OH
Sep 6: Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena, OH
Sep 9: Detroit The Palace, MI
Sep 11: Buffalo First Niagara Center, NY
Sep 14: New York Madison Square Garden, NY
Sep 17: Washington Verizon Center, DC
Sep 20: Philadelphia Wells Fargo Center, PA
8 Responses
…and I believed him when he claimed he was off the smack.
I love classic AC/DC, but I highly doubt Angus wants Phil Rudd in the band after what transpired with this guy’s legal problems. And I find it kinda humorous of Rudd’s implied condition/terms to return to the band including no Axl Rose. Does Rudd really think he is in the position to dictate terms of his return to the band????
Wow. I really wanted to see Phil back in the band. But not wanting to play with Axl and thinking his guitarist is better than Malcolm? That won’t earn him any points with Angus.
I think it’s time to move on Phil, I don’t think angus wants you “Back In Black!” (Ducking!!) DR is going to slam me for that one, LOL!!! 😉
That was just a ‘touch too much’ big bro.
That solo album is actually really good.