Brian Johnson, legendary lead vocalist for hard rock heavyweights AC/DC, along with fellow band mate Cliff Williams (bass) have finally commented on drummer Chris Slade's current involvement with the band.
"I don't know, that's the first I've heard of this." said Johnson, who recently turned 73. "I would have imagined Chris would have known that - Chris stood in for Phil [Rudd] very admirably, did a great job, but as you know, Phil got himself into some trouble, but he's AC/DC's drummer, really, always has been. And [sic] you know, that's a difficult one. I hadn't heard that, so I can't comment on it really too much."
Chris Slade as recently as August 2020 has held that he is AC/DC's drummer, and that no news has reached him about recording a new album or touring. Slade told Rolling Stone:
"There are so many rumors about AC/DC. There are daily, and I mean daily, rumors. '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]."
While AC/DC may not be touring in 2020, the album entitled PWR/UP has been confirmed, along with a track listing, a single, and a release date of November 2013.
Cliff Williams added: "I've not heard that either. In the past, Chris has been hired to come in and do the job, so that's been the premise of the whole thing. I didn't know that he feels that he's the drummer."
Chris Slade back in August also stated: "To my absolute knowledge, and this is me being absolutely honest, I am the current drummer in AC/DC, [Laughs] 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. [but] 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 realize 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."
There has been no word from Chris Slade since the album has been named and given detail.
For more info on AC/DC's new 2020 album, check out the band's official website here
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Written by Steve Knudsen
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