AC/DC’s Cliff Williams to Retire After Current Tour

Guitar World ^ | 07/08/2016 | Christopher Scapelliti

[Olog-hai]

Cliff Williams has played bass in AC/DC since 1977. By the time the group’s current tour wraps up in September, he’ll have logged nearly 40 years with the Australian rockers.

Apparently 40 years is long enough. Williams says his future plans don’t include continuing with AC/DC.

“It’s been what I’ve known for the past 40 years,” Williams says. “But after this tour, I’m backing off of touring and recording.” […]

“Losing Malcolm, the thing with Phil and now with Brian, it’s a changed animal,” Williams says of the band. As for his decision, “I feel in my gut it’s the right thing.” …

[HonkyTonkMan]

Axl sound ok up there? Honestly never thought about this combo, but I could actually see A.R. pull it off....

[Yardstick]

My understanding from a guy in a pickup truck is that Axl sounds superb.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Olog-hai. I was surprised to see how well Axl Rose fit as their new lead singer, wouldn't have come up with that in a million years.

[Olog-hai]

I’ve seen video of live shows, and Axl’s voice as it is today is a surprisingly good fit. The band is tight too. Wonder who would step in on bass now, should they continue.

[HonkyTonkMan]

Great to hear. These guys are rock legends - cool to see them up there together making it happen.

No idea on bass - I really don't follow it close enough anymore. We should check with the guy in a pickup, I'm ok with the lineup if he approves!

[jobim]

Perhaps he's a descendant of Thomas Edison and inherited a large stake in GE?

Seriously, that's appalling. I am a life-long lover of music, and to me the greats are Copeland, Ravel, Gershwin, Porter, Sinatra, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Antonio Carlos Jobim. I liked rock & soul too: Buffalo Springfield, Rascals, Crosby Stills Nash Young, Moody Blues, Philadelphia sound & Motown.

But ACDC? It's music that I love.

[Yardstick]

Yeah well, it’s funny how musical taste is sprinkled around. It’s like some people have it and some people don’t. Ya know what I mean?

[minnesota_bound]

AC/DC is still alive???
“Shocking” ain’t it? : )

[jobim]

I'm not clear about what you mean. But I don't think it is an inborn trait, although I
believe a musical sense is inborn, to some extent. But by and large, quality can be learned
with exposure. Heavy metal can be seen as inferior to the types of music I listed.

[sten]

[Freestate316]

You must have been a problem child, though some may think that you are off your rocker.

[Yardstick]

Wow, talk about a rear guard action. You’re like one of those Japanese soldiers from WWII that turns up on some island still manning his position 40 years after the fact.