Chris Slade has 'no idea' whether Phil Rudd has replaced him in AC/DC
'To my knowledge, I am the current drummer of AC/DC'
Last updated 13th Aug 2020
Chris Slade says that to his “knowledge” he is still the drummer of AC/DC and he has “no idea” whether the band have invited Phil Rudd back.
Following a five-year tenure from 1989 to 1994, Chris Slade rejoined AC/DC for the Rock or Bust Tour in 2015 after Phil Rudd exited due to his ongoing legal problems in New Zealand.
Two years ago in August 2018, AC/DC fans shared photos online seemingly showing Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd and engineer Mike Fraser outside Vancouver’s Warehouse Studios where Stevie and Angus Young were also allegedly spotted that week – prompting intense speculation that both Brian and Phil were back in the band.
It has also been rumoured that Brian and Phil are contributing to a new AC/DC album that includes riff recorded by the late great Malcolm Young.
AC/DC, of course, haven’t commented on the speculation, and, in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Chris Slade says he’s heard nothing to suggest he’s no longer a member of the legendary band.
Asked if Wikipedia listing him as a member of AC/DC is accurate, Chris said: “To my absolute knowledge, and this is me being absolutely honest, I am the current drummer in AC/DC.
“It may sound deluded to some people. I’ve said that before in interviews and people have gone, 'The man is deluded. He’s lost it. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.' It actually says that (on Wikipedia)? I’ve never looked.”
He continued: “Nobody has ever called me and said, ‘By the way, you’re not the current drummer,’ or, ‘By the way, Phil’s been in the band for three years.’ Nobody has ever said that. As far as I’m concerned …God, I’m philosophical enough to realise that Phil may well be back in the band. I have no idea.
“I had no idea last time when they called me before Rock or Bust. I’m open to all possibilities. That’s the way people should be, open-minded.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Chris also cast doubt on the authenticity of the photos of AC/DC in Vancouver in 2018.
“To be honest, those pictures are so old,” Chris explained. “I think it was probably … I don’t know if I was the first drummer to go through Canada. But it looks, to me, like old pictures, to be honest. If you look at the hair on everybody and what the hair is like now, including me, you’ll see what I mean.
“There are so many rumours about AC/DC. There are daily, and I mean daily, rumours. ‘Oh, Angus has bought New Zealand.’ It’s ridiculous. ‘Oh, I know things because I know. They recorded an album and they’re going to be touring in 2020!’ You know what? They’re not laughs.”
Last month, AC/DC’s social media and YouTube channels became active again to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their blockbuster album ‘Back in Black’. Alongside photos and rare archive performances, the band uploaded a five-part documentary called ‘The Story Of Back In Black’.