To the great surprise of no one, bar perhaps Phil Rudd, AC/DC have announced that Rudd will not be the drummer on their 2015 world tour. “Chris Slade will be on drums for the upcoming Rock or Bust world tour,” the band announced in a typically to-the-point statement.
Rudd’s absence had been expected, after he was charged with threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis. His court case, in Tauranga, New Zealand, is ongoing, with the date of his next appearance set for 21 April.
Rudd played on the band’s recent album Rock or Bust, but missed photo sessions and video shoots in London last autumn. Slade replaced him for the band’s appearance at the Grammy awards on 8 February. He had previously served as the group’s drummer between 1989 and 1994, playing on the album The Razor’s Edge.
Before the Grammys, the 68-year-old drummer’s recent gigs had been somewhat less glamorous. He headlined the rugby club beer festival in his hometown of Ashford last summer, and hosted a free Christmas party at the venue Platform 5.
On his Facebook page, Slade wrote: “This is an amazing opportunity for me, after all most people don’t ever get to play with their favourite band once, let alone twice!
“I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support I have been shown personally, on the Facebook page and other social media, not one comment has gone unread, and it has been very humbling, thanks so much.
“We apologise for the secrecy, please understand this was for all the right reasons.”
