Phil Rudd

Attire: Glasses, drumstick to pic nose!

Phillip Hugh Rudd was born on May 19, 1954 in Melbourne, Australia. Phil made his name with the Colored Balls, a skinhead band formed by guitarist Lobby Lloyd and singer Angry Anderson (who went on to form Rose Tatoo), which terrorised the club circuit during the early Seventies with a ferocious brand of yob-rock.

Two singles ('Liberate Rock' and 'Mess Of Blues') were the only recognised fruits of Phil Rudd's time with the Colored Balls who, in 1974, changed their name to Buster Brown and went on to record one album ('Something To Say') for the indie Mushroom Records later the same year. But by the beginning of 1975 Phil had had enough, and hardly hesitated when AC/DC offered him the gig.

In 1983, at the end of the recording sessions of 'Flick Of The Switch', there were personal difficulties between Phil and Malcolm Young. Their relationship progressively deteriorated, to the point where a "physical confrontation" eventually took place. Everyone knows that Malcolm was a school yard brawler, not a bully, but he wasn't ever afraid to fight one. Well, rumor has it that in the "physical confrontation", Malcolm broke Phil's nose and dislocated his jaw also and another rumor says Malcolm only had a couple of bruises! Two hours later Phil was out, flying home. Phil elected to retire to New Zealand where he bought a helicopter business and gave up professional music completely.

In 1991, when AC/DC were playing in New Zealand, Phil came to the show. After the show he visited with the band for hours in the dressing room. They hadn't seen him in about 8½ years. Then, around May 1994, they asked Phil to come and jam with them. He was back in the band.

After the original drumer of AC/DC, Pete Clack, was decided to be cut from the band for lack of ability, in stepped Phil Rudd. Phil had been playing in a Melbourne band by the name of "Buster Brown" and would stay with AC/DC for several years after joining in the begining of 1975. After the release of "Flick of the Switch", Rudd either left the band or was kicked out according to whom you believe. Rudd reportedly talked about leaving the band and this possibly worried his bandmates. Rudd did not mind the studio work, it was the long tours that took the toll on the drummer. This marked the exit of the last native-born Australian member of AC/DC. The band continued first with Englishman Simon Wright on the drums until he left to join his favorite band "Dio". (I don't think he is still in Dio because I don't see his name on their newer albums... but I really don't know) Wright was replaced with another English drummer, Chris Slade. For the recording of "Ballbreaker", Rudd rejoined the band. After being off for about a decade, Rudd was rested enough to continue for the Ballbreaker tour!

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook

This page has been Thunderstruck

#

times

E-Mail me by clicking on my name!

Steve Taylor.