AC/DC’s Cliff Williams Confirms Retirement: ‘I’m Just Ready to Get Off the Road’
Earlier this year, AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams revealed that the band's current tour cycle would likely be his last with the band. And now he's confirmed it with a video message to fans via the band's official YouTube account.
"It's time for me to step out, and that's all," says Williams in the clip above. "Not because we've lost Mal, Phil or Brian. I mean, everything changes when something happens like that. When Bon died, it changed then. You know, everything changes, so it's not that. It's just ... I'm just ready to get off the road, really, and do what I do."
The bassist continued, "In between tours, we take a few years off, so I know how to do that, I know what I'm gonna do. Again, it's just my time. I'm happy. I just need to ... Family time now, just chill out and not do this."
Williams concluded, "I mean, I couldn't have asked for anything more, being with the people I'm with and have been, and being in this situation with this band, playing this music."
Back in July, Williams granted an interview to Gulfshore Life in which he stated, “It’s been what I’ve known for the past 40 years. But after this tour I’m backing off of touring and recording.” He added, “Losing Malcolm, the thing with Phil and now with Brian, it’s a changed animal. I feel in my gut it’s the right thing.”
Guitarist Angus Young is the band's lone founding member and he has not stated whether or not he wants to continue the band beyond their touring commitments. The band has been playing shows with Axl Rose filling in for Brian Johnson on vocals, Angus' nephew Stevie Young taking over for Malcolm Young, Chris Slade reclaiming his spot behind the kit in Phil Rudd's absence and Williams holding down his usual bass duties.
AC/DC wrap up their U.S. tour tonight (Sept. 20) in Philadelphia, and they have no other 2016 dates scheduled as of now. That means tonight's show is likely Cliff Williams' last with the band.
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