AC/DC Beyond the Thunder Podcast - S3E8 Simon Wright (Part 1)

In this very special two-part, skin-bashing, foundation-shaking edition of 'AC/DC Beyond the Thunder', we sit down with veteran stickman, Simon Wright, the drummer for AC/DC who kept the band’s heartbeat alive throughout the '80s. After being plucked from obscurity and into the eye of the storm, Part 1 allows listeners to be a fly on the wall, from Simon's audition, to meeting Stephen King, and playing Rock in Rio...before things blow up when he decides to leave AC/DC for Dio.
www.BeyondTheThunder.com

[@fearthebeard722]

This was great, really enjoyed that! Simon was the the first AC/DC drummer I ever saw, 1983 Joe Louise arena Detroit. I was 8 years old. My dad had a video recording of it from somewhere (England) and I just watched it over and over again, really loved Simons style. I can honestly say Simon Wright inspired me to pick up the sticks, and even now I still play like he did. And he’s a great down to earth guy as well!

[@Kinger1625]

Same with me! My friend had it I was 10! Changed my life forever! Except I went on to play guitar after piano, drums and bass, singing and such… I have been wondering what happened to him, so looked him up. Glad you started to play because of him! That’s cool!

[@chrisnash430]

Great interview, thank you sir!

[@jonashallberg2832]

The sight and sound concert in 1977 was supposed to be the sensationel alex harvey band.alex harvey retired for a short while.

[@patrickiriarte1413]

Colin Hay of "Men at Work" would be a perfect front man for ACDC reason being he is Bon Scott of ACDC! Not to take anything away from Brian Johnson and Axel Rose!. ACDC fans are in for a shock! Bon Scott is alive and well. He is Colin Hay of "Men at Work" Because is it coincidental that they are both Aussies with Ancestral Roots to Scottland??? " The reason why he wanted out! The long time away on tour from his family and the demands of being on the road was more than he could take! He wanted to make music on his own terms and likewise to go on tour at his own conveinience! The song "Back in Black" was his resignation to move away from the spotlight! The lyrics were his signature resignation and the clue to how he would depart from the Band! "Back in black I hit the Sack! (Bon Scott was referring to how he would be supposedly found dead whlile he was asleep! and leaving the Spotlight by slowly fading to the darkness of returning back to a life of normacy away from the bright lights! "I have got nine lives! (He is referring to how he survived many dangerous events a Bike accident, alcoholisn and how he was going to reinvent himself!) "I have got "Cats eyes" (This is a important clue that he has successfully changed his identity! And the only way you would ever know its him if you ever saw him again is He had this rare "eye condition" that looked like how a Cat looks around because they would operarate independently of each other and moving in different directions! Now some people may say wait a minute they have different Birth dates! This is a common practice when hiding ones true identity together with a change of hairstyles! But I think he still played a active role in the Band with ACDC as a "Ghost Writer" because every song that ACDC sang after Bon Scotts supposed death sounded like he still had his "trait mark signature" on all of ACDC's songs! So its up to Colin Hay of "Men at Work" if he wants to come out "the darkness" of "Back in Black" and back into the Spotlight" again to say to his loyal fans and say to them! "Hey MTF's guess whose back from a "Back in Black" hyatus! And is there any photos of Bon Scott in a Coffin in a funeral service?? And how many photos does Colin Hay have of himself in his earlier years with him and his family??? The same goes for Morgan Freeman who is actually "Jimi Hendrix" and "Lady Gaga" who is actually "Amy Winehouse! And is it coincidental that all three just happen to burst on the Social Scene shortly after the supposed passing of these legendary "Musical Icons????? Can you imagine if all three decided to tour together. And their Band name would be called "Grievance Clean Detox Revival??? Sincerely, Patrick S.N. Iriarte "Nostradamus of the Marianas"

[@malcolmbliss777]

Best drummer that band ever had, though Chris Slade is a VERY CLOSE 2nd.

[@markprice1308]

Simon what a great drummer and a great guy who is very fucking cool and funny down to earth and gives is all every prefomance i moved from Indy to N hollywood dec of of 89 i was 21 moved in with a friend to start a band with a drummer i new from indy he was attending drum institute in LA i was just a bass player and was friends with Ronnie DIO’s tour manager who worked for NIGI Larry Morand and just after the NEW year i was sitting in Ronnies office on Jan 2 1990 Larry said he had to pick up some paper work to fax to Ronnie larry didnt tell me but sombody else was going to arrive shortly after we did and Ronnie walks in with new Guitrist Roan Robertson from England to the office and there i was star stuck meeting one of my rock idles for the first time i couldnt believe it Ronnie James Dio was shaking my hand as i was in a fog in disbelief and yes TY you uncle LARR if it wasnt for you none of this would of happened , three weeks go by and i find myself with Larry at the NAMM show running around looking for a drum stick rep to pickup 24 pairs of double butt drum sticks for Simon Wright to try we finally found the guy got the sticks took them straight to ups to be shipped to a studio in Reno where they were working on lock up the wolves i asked who was Simon Wright he said hard Hitting Drummer just came from ACDC to Play with Ronnie , i said hell ya , i wasnt to meet Simon untill later that year Attending a birthday bash for Ronnie in July at a ranch house in Burbank i Believe Ronnie was turning 47 i think what a great night just listing to the stories hanging with Ronnie Simon Yens Johanson Laughing and having the time of my life ill never forget i feel blessed just to be there TY UNCLE LARR RIP Ronnie james Dio ty for letting me part of the gang you are the best 🤘❤

[@ArleneVonAllemann-ck4fn]

I liked Simon Wright

[@kevincherveny3621]

Phil did not play the drums on Flick of the Switch record. It was either a studio drummer, Angus, or Malcolm.

[@nickslade3978]

Yes he did. It's obviously him just by listening. The difference between the album tracks and the live performances with Wright totally gives it away

[@dylanperkins1460]

​@@nickslade3978he didn't get hired til after it was recorded

[@nickslade3978]

@@dylanperkins1460 that's what I'm saying.