WATCH: Cliff Williams confirms his retirement from AC/DC in emotional video
Cliff Williams has officially confirmed his retirement from AC/DC after almost four decades with the band.
Last updated 12th Feb 2024
In an emotional video posted to AC/DC’S official YouTube channel, Romford born Cliff explained now is the right time for him to go.
He made the announcement ahead of the band’s final Rock or Bust World Tour show at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia tonight (20th September).
“Thanks to everybody who supported us on this tour, it’s been a hell of a tour, it’s been great,” Cliff said. “It’s time for me to step out, and that’s all. Not because we’ve lost Mal, Phil or Brian. I mean, everything changes when something happens like that.
“When Bon died, it changed then. You know, everything changes, so it’s not that. It’s just … I’m just ready to get off the road, really, and do what I do.
“In between tours, we take a few years off, so I know how to do that, I know what I’m gonna do. Again, it’s just my time. I’m happy. I just need to … Family time now, just chill out and not do this.”
Cliff added: “I mean, I couldn’t have asked for anything more, being with the people I’m with and have been, and being in this situation with this band, playing this music.”
Back in July, Cliff unofficially said he was going to wrap up his time with the band once the tour was over, telling Gulfshore Life: “It’s been what I’ve known for the past 40 years, but after this tour I’m backing off of touring and recording.
“Losing Malcolm, the thing with Phil and now with Brian, it’s a changed animal. I feel in my gut it’s the right thing.”
66-year-old Cliff replaced Mark Evans in AC/DC in 1977 and made his first album appearance a year later on 1978’s ‘Powerage’.
He’s the second longest serving member of the group behind founder Angus Young.
Watch Cliff’s announcement below: