List of AC/DC members

AC/DC performing live in 2009 (top) and 2015 (bottom).

AC/DC are an Australian hard rock formed in Australia in November 1973 by brothers Angus (lead guitar) and Malcolm Young (rhythm guitar). The original lineup of the group featured vocalist Dave Evans, bassist Larry Van Kriedt and drummer Colin Burgess.[1] The band's first single "Can I Sit Next to You, Girl" was released after the departure of Van Kriedt, with a third Young brother, producer George, filling in on bass.[2] AC/DC subsequently went through numerous early personnel changes, including replacing Evans with Bon Scott in time for the recording of their debut Australian album High Voltage, which also featured contributions from George Young and session drummer Tony Currenti.[3] By early 1975, the band had settled on a lineup of Angus and Malcolm Young, Bon Scott, bassist Mark Evans and drummer Phil Rudd.[4]

Shortly after the release of the group's fourth studio album Let There Be Rock in 1977, Evans was fired from AC/DC due to growing tensions with the Young brothers.[5] He was replaced by English bassist Cliff Williams.[6] After two more studio albums, Scott died on 19 February 1980 of acute alcohol poisoning.[7] The band briefly considered breaking up, but later enlisted former Geordie frontman Brian Johnson as Scott's replacement.[8] In 1983, following a physical altercation with Malcolm Young and ongoing problems with substance abuse, Rudd was fired from AC/DC.[9] He was replaced by Simon Wright, who remained until 1989 before joining Dio.[10] Wright was replaced by Welsh drummer Chris Slade for five years, before Rudd returned in late 1994 during sessions for the group's thirteenth studio album Ballbreaker.[11]

The lineup of AC/DC remained largely constant until April 2014, when Malcolm Young retired due to ill health.[12] The group recorded Rock or Bust with Stevie Young, Angus and Malcolm's nephew,[13] who was made an official member of the band in September.[14] Stevie Young had previously toured with AC/DC while Malcolm was fighting alcohol addiction. Rudd was later arrested and pleaded guilty to drug charges and threatening to kill a former assistant, with Slade returning to replace him on the Rock or Bust World Tour.[15] In March 2016, several dates on the ongoing tour were cancelled after Johnson was ordered by doctors to cease touring due to "severe hearing problems".[16] The following month, it was announced that Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose would replace Johnson for all future tour dates.[17] Long-term bassist Cliff Williams retired after the tour, with his last show taking place on 20 September 2016.[18]

Following the conclusion of the Rock or Bust World Tour, it was reported that Angus Young, Stevie Young and Rose would continue AC/DC with new musicians once the Guns N' Roses Not in This Lifetime... Tour had concluded, with a new studio album planned.[19] Malcolm and George Young both died in late 2017.[20]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
AngusYoung.JPG
 Angus Young 1973–present lead guitar all AC/DC releases
Chris Slade (cropped).JPG
 Chris Slade
  • 1989–1994
  • 2015–present
 drums
Stevie Young with ACDC Tacoma WA Feb 2 2016.jpg
 Stevie Young
  • 1988 (touring)
  • 2014–present
Rock or Bust (2014). Also replaced Malcolm Young for the US leg of the Blow Up Your Video World Tour while Malcolm was recovering from health problems.[21]
Guns n´Roses Palacio de los Deportes 30-11-2016 (31739548255).jpg
 W. Axl Rose 2016–present lead vocals none to date - live performances only

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Malcolm Young en 2010.jpg
 Malcolm Young 1973–2014
(died 2017)
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
 all AC/DC releases from "Can I Sit Next to You, Girl" (1974) to Live at River Plate (2012)
Dave Evans.jpg
 Dave Evans 1973–1974 lead vocals "Can I Sit Next to You, Girl" (1974)
GrLa0238.JPG
 Larry Van Kriedt
  • 1973–1974
none – live performances only[22]
Colin Burgess drums "Can I Sit Next to You Girl" (1974)
Neil Smith 1974 bass guitar none – live performances only[23]
Ron Carpenter drums
Noel Taylor
Rob Bailey 1974–1975 bass guitar High Voltage (1975)
Peter Clack drums
Singer-bon-scott-star-smile-photos-tattoos.jpg
 Bon Scott 1974–1980
(died 1980)
all AC/DC releases from High Voltage (1975) to Highway to Hell (1979)
Tony Currenti 1974–1975 drums High Voltage (1975), T.N.T. (1975), High Voltage (1976), '74 Jailbreak (1984)
Paul Matters 1975 bass guitar none – live performances only[24]
Russell Coleman drums
Phil Rudd - Manchester Apollo.jpg
 Phil Rudd
  • 1975–1983
  • 1994–2015
 all AC/DC releases from T.N.T. (1975) to Flick of the Switch (1983), and from Ballbreaker (1995) to Rock or Bust (2014)
Mark Evans 1975–1977 bass guitar all AC/DC releases from High Voltage (1975) to Let There Be Rock (1977)
CliffWilliams.JPG
 Cliff Williams 1977–2016
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
 all AC/DC releases from Powerage (1978) to Rock or Bust (2014)
Brian Johnson.jpg
 Brian Johnson 1980–2016 lead vocals all AC/DC releases from Back in Black (1980) to Rock or Bust (2014)
Acdc simon wright.jpg
 Simon Wright 1983–1989 drums

Touring

Image Name Years active Instruments Notes
George Young 1974–1975
(died 2017)
  • bass guitar
  • backing vocals
 Young filled in on bass on several occasions during the band's early shows, amid frequent lineup changes.[25]
Dennis Laughlin 1974 lead vocals Laughlin, the band's manager at the time, would occasionally substitute for Dave Evans during early shows.[26]
Bruce Howe 1975 bass guitar Howe, Bon Scott's former bandmate in Fraternity, performed bass a number of times with the group.[25]
Paul Gregg 1991 Gregg replaced Cliff Williams for several shows on the US leg of the Razors Edge World Tour due to illness.[27]

Timeline

Bibliography

  • Masino, Susan (15 May 2009), Let There Be Rock: The Story of AC/DC, London, England: Omnibus Press, ISBN 978-0825634697
  • Wall, Mick (1 October 2012), AC/DC: Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be, London, England: Orion, ISBN 978-1409115342

References

  1. ↑ "AC/DC Lineup Changes: A Complete Guide". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  2. ↑ "Rare AC/DC 7" Single 'Can I Sit Next To You, Girl' Sells for $4,500". Guitar Interactive. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  3. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo (17 February 2016). "The Story of AC/DC's Debut Australian Album, 'High Voltage'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  4. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "AC/DC: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Bosso, Joe (11 October 2011). "Interview: Former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans on life in the band". MusicRadar. Future plc. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Blistein, Jon (20 September 2016). "AC/DC Bassist Cliff Williams Confirms Retirement in Heartfelt Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  7. ↑ Jinman, Richard (19 February 2005). "25 years on, AC/DC fans recall how wild rocker met his end". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  8. ↑ Elliott, Paul (5 May 2016). "AC/DC: The epic inside story of Back In Black". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  9. ↑ "Phil Rudd: 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time". Rolling Stone. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  10. ↑ Kielty, Martin (29 September 2016). "Dio hologram show was nerve-racking says Simon Wright". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  11. ↑ "Drummer Chris Slade: Why I Left AC/DC". Blabbermouth.net. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  12. ↑ Kielty, Martin (16 April 2014). "Brian Johnson: AC/DC not retiring yet". TeamRock. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  13. ↑ Reed, Bryan (9 July 2014). "AC/DC Finish New Album, Detail Malcolm Young Health Update". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  14. ↑ McCabe, Kathy (24 September 2014). "AC/DC to release new album Rock Or Bust as guitarist Malcolm Young retires from band". news.com.au. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  15. ↑ "AC/DC confirm Chris Slade will replace Phil Rudd on their 2015 tour". The Guardian. 13 February 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  16. ↑ Young, Alex (7 March 2016). "AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson ordered "to stop touring immediately or risk total hearing loss"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  17. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (16 April 2016). "AC/DC Confirm Axl Rose Is New Lead Singer, Joining Band on Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  18. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (21 September 2016). "Watch AC/DC Salute Cliff Williams at Bassist's Final Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  19. ↑ "Major Update on AC/DC's Future: What the Band Will Do Now That Cliff's Retired". Ultimate Guitar Archive. 22 September 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  20. ↑ Colothan, Scott (18 November 2017). "AC/DC legend Malcolm Young dies aged 64". Planet Rock. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  21. ↑ Wall, p.386–88
  22. ↑ Wall 2012, p. 59
  23. ↑ Wall 2012, pp. 62–65
  24. ↑ Wall 2012, pp. 132, 141
  25. 1 2 Wall 2012
  26. ↑ Ross, Annabel (30 December 2013). "AC/DC's original lead singer, Dave Evans". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  27. ↑ Masino 2009, p. 178
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