AC/DC’s Cliff Williams says goodbye

Cliff Williams

AC/DC Cliff Williams has thanked fans for their support over the past 39 years as he retires from the band.

He played his final show with the Aussie giants last night (September 20) following his announcement in July that he’d stop working when the Rock Or Bust world tour ended.

But he’s reported that his decision isn’t connected to the departures of Malcolm Young, Phil Rudd and Brian Johnson over the past two years.

Williams, 66, says in the video below: “It’s been a hell of a tour. It’s been great. The fans’ support has been brilliant.

“It’s time for me to step out. Not because we’ve lost Mal, Phil or Brian. Everything changes. When Bon died, it changed then.

“It’s just, I’m ready to get off the road and do what I do in between tours. I know what I’m going to do. It’s just my time.

“I need family time now, just chill out and not do this. I’m all good – I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

AC/DC’s future remains in doubt after the lineup changes that have seen Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose take over from Johnson, drummer Chris Slade returning in place of Rudd, and Stevie Young filling Malcolm’s position.

Sole remaining original member Angus Young said last month that he felt “obligated” to keep the band going, adding: “Malcolm was always one to battle through. He would look at me in times of crisis and go, ‘We’ll just go in and do some work. We’ll sit and write some songs.’”

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.