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AC/DC drummer Colin Burgess dies aged 77

Colin Burgess, AC/DC’s original drummer, has died aged 77.

The group confirmed the news with a statement shared on social media.

‘Very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Burgess,’ they penned.

‘He was our first drummer and a very respected musician.

‘Happy memories, rock in peace, Colin.’

Burgess’s cause of death has not been shared.

AC/DC posted a tribute on their social media pages© Provided by Metro

The late music star was hard rock band AC/DC’s drummer between November 1973 and February 1974. 

He joined the iconic group along with sibling guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young, singer Dave Evans, and bassist Larry Van Kriedt.

The Australian rocker played his first gig with AC/DC at Chequers nightclub in Sydney.

He was cut from the band in 1974 – after they released their first hit, Can I Sit Next to You Girl – after he was accused of getting drunk on stage mid-performance.

Burgess attempted to salvage his job, but to no avail, as he claimed his drink had been spiked.

 

Burgess was the band’s original drummer for one year (Picture: Peter Carrette Archive/Getty Images)© Provided by Metro

After he left AC/DC, Burgess was replaced by a succession of drummers before Phil Rudd joined the band in 1975. 

Burgess returned temporarily when Rudd suffered an injury and was out of action for a few weeks shortly after joining.

AC/DC’s current line-up consists of Rudd, Angus Young, Cliff Williams, Brian Johnson, and Stevie Young. 

The rockers have sold over 200million records worldwide, with their biggest hits including Highway to Hell, which reached number eight in the UK charts and number 17 in the US.

As well as his year in AC/DC, Burgess was also a drummer for the Australian rock band The Masters Apprentices between 1968 and 1972.

In 1988, they were inducted into Australia’s ARIA Hall of Fame.

Following the news of Burgess’s death, tributes flooded the internet from rock and roll fans.

‘Met him many times. A very cool guy’, said Dan Crocker.

‘May you rest in peace Colin. And hope you bring some of your music to your band mates and keep rocking from heaven, you all will be missed but not forgotten’, wrote Raymond Reed Jr.

‘Very sad news , as I love rock music especially from Australia, and he was a part of a generation of great musicians that kicked off the music industry in Australia, condolences to his family and friends’, said Stephen Martens.