Original AC/DC drummer Colin Burgess dies at 77 – Deadline

AC/DC

Legendary rock band AC/DC has paid tribute to its founding member Colin Burgess, following his death at the age of 77.

Burgess, an Australian drummer, was recruited to form the band in 1973, along with Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar, his brother Angus on lead guitar, Dave Evans on vocals, and Larry Van Kriedt on bass.

Burgess was fired from the band the following year after his bandmates accused him of being drunk on stage. He later said his drink had been spiked. Although he left the band, he returned to drum duties in 1975.

AC/DC said on its social media pages:

“Very sad to hear of the death of Colin Burgess. He was our first drummer and a very respected musician. Happy memories, Rest in peace Colin.”

The cause of death has not yet been reported.

Before joining AC/DC, Burgess played between 1968 and 1972 with the Australian rock band The Masters Apprentices, a band that was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 1998.

The current lineup of AC/DC consists of drummer Phil Rudd, Angus Young, Cliff Williams, Brian Johnson, and Stevie Young. The band has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, including their most famous songs highway to hellWhich reached number 8 in the UK charts and number 17 in the US. The band was inducted into the Australian ARIA Hall of Fame in 1988.