AC/DC‘s original drummer Colin Burgess has died, the legendary Aussie rock band has announced. He was 77.
“Very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Burgess,” the band wrote to their official Instagram account overnight.
“He was our first drummer and a very respected musician. Happy memories, rock in peace Colin.”
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Fans rushed to pay tribute to Burgess, who was part of the original lineup when AC/DC first formed in Sydney in 1973.
“Rest in power, Colin Burgess. Your thunderous beats paved the way for generations of rockers to come,” one fan wrote.
“You’ll always be remembered as the heartbeat of AC/DC’s early years.”
Another fan lauded Burgess for being ”part of a generation of great musicians that kicked off the music industry in Australia”.
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Alongside brothers Malcolm Young and Angus Young, lead singer Dave Evans, and bassist Larry Van Kriedt, Burgess performed with the group as its drummer from November 1973 to February 1974.
He was dismissed from AC/DC after four months due to alleged drunken behaviour on-stage – though he claimed later that his drink was spiked.
This was two years before AC/DC’s debut album High Voltage was released to an international audience.
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Phil Rudd was ultimately called in as Burgess’ replacement, but after injuring his hand in a fight in Melbourne in 1975, Burgess was called back to fill in for him for a few weeks.
Burgess, however, did drum on AC/DC’s debut single Can I Sit Next to You, Girl.
Prior to drumming for AC/DC, Burgess also drummed with Aussie band The Masters Apprentices. He also drummed in His Majesty, Good Time Charlie and Dead Singer Band throughout his career.
Although he is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with AC/DC – that honour includes Rudd, Angus, Bon Scott, Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams – he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame for his work with The Masters Apprentices.
