Portal:AC/DC/Selected biography/5

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Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd (born Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecuis) was born on May 19, 1954 in Melbourne, Australia. He was the drummer of AC/DC from 1975 until 1983, and again from 1994 to present. After the 1977 departure of bassist Mark Evans, he became the only Australian-born member of the band. He uses SONOR drums and Paiste cymbals. Rudd played in several bands in Melbourne before joining The Coloured Balls with Angry Anderson (future Rose Tattoo vocalist). They soon changed their name to Buster Brown and released one album, Something To Say, before Rudd left in late 1974 to join AC/DC. He fitted in with the band very quickly and contributed his solid drumming style to great effect on the string of albums recorded from 1975 to 1983. The band relocated to the UK in 1976 and followed a heavy schedule of international touring and recording. (more...) In 1980 vocalist Bon Scott died. The band regrouped with vocalist Brian Johnson and recorded, Back in Black. Rudd took Scott's death badly, but continued with AC/DC until he was fired from the band during the recording of Flick of the Switch in 1983. Simon Wright, replaced Rudd, and helped the band record videos for two of the album's ten songs, "Flick of the Switch", and "Nervous Shakedown". Rudd's sacking from the band was partly a result of his own problems with alcohol, and also growing conflict between him and band leader Malcolm Young, which eventually became physical. After leaving AC/DC, Rudd retired to Tauranga, New Zealand where he purchased a helicopter charter company. When AC/DC went touring in New Zealand in 1994, they called Rudd to see if he would like to "jam" with them. Rudd decided to accept their offer and was eventually rehired. Since his return to the band, Rudd has contributed to AC/DC's Ballbreaker and Stiff Upper Lip albums. (more...)