After weeks of speculation on who would takeover drumming duties for Phil Rudd of AC/DC, Chris Slade has confirmed that he will join the band for its Grammy performance and Rock or Bust tour. Slade, who played with the band for a stretch in the 1990s, shared the news via Facebook, Billboard notes. The band has yet to comment and there's no official word if Slade will be the permanent replacement. Rudd has a court date scheduled for April to deal with some legal issues, but he has stated that he wants his job back.
Slade played on The Razors Edge, the band's 1990 LP that contained the hit "Thunderstruck." Hopefully the drummer was given some prior notice in order to learn some of the band's newer tunes.
"YES the drum stool is under OLD management! You will, I am sure know by now, CHRIS SLADE will re-join AC/DC for the GRAMMYS tomorrow Sunday 8th Feb and for their new ROCK OR BUST tour!" the statement reads on Facebook. Metal Insider first reported the news," the drummer's Facebook stated.
Slade then added his own message to relay his excitement.
This is an amazing opportunity for me, after all most people don't ever get to play with their favourite band once, let alone TWICE! I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support I have been shown personally, on the Facebook page and other social media, not one comment has gone unread and it has been very humbling, Thanks so much. We apologise for the secrecy, please understand this was for all the right reasons.
Music Times picked Slade as the number one replacement for Rudd during this time of uncertainty for the former drummer. Rudd was charged with threatening to kill and possession of drugs in November along with trying to hire a hitman. The latter charge was dropped for lack of evidence.
Although Rudd was acting erratically during recording sessions for the band's recent release, he was able to get his act together to finish the album. Angus Young recalled the drummer's "strange" behavior in December.
"'Cause when we were doing the album, one minute he was coming, the next minute he wasn't coming. So it took quite a while to get him to the studio. When he got there, he did a great job," the guitarist said.
