AC/DC FORMER DRUMMER CHRIS SLADE on ANGUS & MALCOM YOUNG

[@otaviorocha4156]

Donnington is a masterpiece and Chris is a huge part of that sound!

[@sduk451]

Donnington is a masterpiece apart from the drumming. Slade is terrible. WOuld have been better with Simon Wright.

[@TheDefeatest]

@@sduk451 I would like to hear you explain that a bit if you could?

[@sduk451]

@@TheDefeatest Just his sound, his groove, it's a world apart from Phil Rudd / Simon Wright, not a good fit for the band, lacked the power and sound. Terrible.

[@soeffingwhat]

@@sduk451 if his drumming was terrible then he never would have been in ACDC in the first place. I think his drumming was great. Are you a drummer? Do you think you could do better? Are you bitter you're not successful? Post a video online and prove you can do better/

[@bobbaxter952]

I was there in 91,my first ever gig,just a brilliant weekend!!

[@BLKBETE11]

So much respect for this man. The disappointment, yet speaking with praise of others with humility. Props to Chris

[@WelshVegan]

I met Chris at a party in LA once, about 14 years ago or so, and maybe because we're both from Wales - literally 10 miles apart - and both drummers - we chatted most of the night. He had some fantastic stories, and he is such a very nice genuine, interesting bloke, really down to earth. An amazing drummer!

[@themanofthehour9833]

Chris - what a warmhearted guy - we salute you 🙂

[@wasp4eva1]

I saw Chris Slade with them, Razors Edge tour, he was awesome. Such a powerful drummer.

[@berrytharp1334]

Seen them at Rupp Arena in Lexington on that tour. They killed it.

[@rlobrown55]

I met Chris in 91 in Vancouver at a club I was playing at. He was so cool, gentlemanly & complimentary. Super good guy!!

[@lowend100]

That single statement that Chris Slade utters about Malcom Young is HUGE. To push a rhythm and drive the band forward WITHOUT speeding up is the key to ACDC's greatness. It is much more than just important, it's crucial to a groove band like ACDC. Everybody thinks it comes from the drummer, and it does, but... the value of a great rhythm player like Malcom cannot be overstated. His ability to do that with ACDC, the Power he brings to their riffs, those are the factors that make the band sound like such a juggernaut. The guy was incredible.

[@WillS-pl8wg]

Not easy to do what malcolm did.Its the exact opposite.

[@route9records]

One one tour at the Garden in Boston Mal's guitar didn't come through on the first song. The hole in their sound was MASSIVE, even Angus couldn't fill it. When they got his sound back up it was like night and day, back to the sonic juggernaut AC/DC is famous for.

[@markn3936]

ACDC songs would automatically have anyone fighting to not speed up.

[@radiohelga6856]

Chris Slade's Powerful Punch gave 'The Razors Edge' and the Live Album/Video a Metal Sounding Edge 🤘

[@James-r9c3m]

That power and energy was awesome. He was a beast with them.

[@BarryMcIntyre-l9n]

Slade brought a energy to the band. Rudd was good. Slade was just plain fun to watch as he was having so much fun beating on the drums.

[@Guitar387]

Fascinating interview. Interesting Malcolm and Angus just look at each other and know what they are thinking.

[@chrisfromnoosa1905]

Chris Slade: What a refreshing surprise to find someone in the music industry with so much humility, generosity and honesty. All rare qualities in today's musicscape.......IMHO!

[@LoyKnowles]

What Malcolm and Angus gave us over the years was such a blessing! I've isolated many of Malcolm's grooves and riffs and came to the conclusion..."He was that sound that AC/DC had"! I've got him in my Mt. Rushmore of rythymn guitarists!

[@stephenmenadue268]

Humility and self-knowledge helped this guy fill Phil's shoes. Phil is 100% AC/DC. Chris Slade is 100% AC/DC.

[@Archi_Music]

I agree every line up is absolutely AC/DC

[@adamstuart8768]

100pc crap

[@JuanGregorGuitar-nn6pw]

He didn’t fill Phil Rudds shoes. He replaced Simon wright

[@Archi_Music]

@@JuanGregorGuitar-nn6pw I don’t get why every AC/DC drummer should be compared to Phill Rudd. I love him and obviously there’s no one like him, but why can’t we just give the credit to the other guys and appreciate what they did, as members of the band at some point

[@kentstephencal7084]

Every drummer who's been playing with AC DC has it's own style and feel. Phil might be the right drummer for a straight ahead style of the band, but Simon and Chris were more technical. My opinion.

[@ollielindsay]

AC/DC has a great pocket. It’s wild how they build a great groove on so many songs. Thunderstruck always strikes me as so groovy.

[@maxwelltarpleyyoung6598]

sitting here smiling like a kid thinking of Chris having Malcolm and Angus sitting on chairs in front of his kick . He always was and still is one of my favorite drummers, Saw him at 11 with the Firm at the Boston Garden .

[@micknordstrom2591]

Love this man, he is an incredible drummer and very humble.

[@nikkiwild4014]

My favorite AC/ DC drummer , he is so humble but Hard as a Rock .. Thank you for another great interview Ari .

[@artistsonrecord]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@shannonswan9493]

weird thing to say. You must not like anything pre Razors edge.

[@nikkiwild4014]

@@shannonswan9493 That's even weirder than what I said .. No - Back in Black is my favorite album, I grew up in the 80s. As I grew up ,I discovered the early catalog ,I liked Bon Scott as well but Brian Johnson's voice and band's sound in the 80s were better to me.. ( My opinion if you dont mind ) . Razor's Edge was the chart blaster, everyone got to know about the band by huge hits, great sound and killer videos . I know the very first singer even before Bon Scott .. Dave Evans . Great guy, old wolf still Alive & Kicking . We are friends now, we party once in a while during the tour breaks . That guy is a living Rock History, tells me alot about the band's early days . To me , Dave Evans was Better than Bon Scott . Anyway . The answer is '' I do '' like more than the Razor's Edge . Have a nice day ..

[@keithfrance6191]

Chris Slade is a class guy. Disappointed on not being asked on the tour but showed no malice or bitterness towards the band. But still gives a lot of praise for the band . 🤘

[@acdclocurasincura]

omg this is brilliant.. Mr. Slade, thank you for this

[@J.W.Little]

What a GREAT interview! Such a nice guy!

[@rodwilliams4170]

Mal was known for his ruthless control of this band. That's why they have lasted so long. Even Angus concedes that it was Mal's band all along.

[@fredc5812]

Great interview, I had to watch it twice. Love hearing the inside goss from Chris & the story of his audition 'failure' is a classic

[@scottrobinson9752]

I used to be the sound engineer for British band the Fixx... we used to do a lot of package tours with other bands. One tour included Asia, whom Chris was playing for at the time. He was a great guy, with an incredible work ethic. One of the most professional musicians I have ever been around. An incredibly humble guy. He was also very confident in his abilities. His daughter came out on the tour, for a week or two, during her summer break from university I think. She was stunningly beautiful, with an incredible personality. She had all of us young crew guys falling all over ourselves trying to catch her eye.

[@DavidMohr-d7z]

You have lived and seen more than most can imagine Awesome job on the drums Brother 🙂

[@selliott1504]

Great interview Chris! I did the same audition. My call back was “you’re not Rocky enough” 😂 You were perfect for the gig! 😊

[@zeppelinmexicano]

That is wild, and I can understand needing project some type of image or style to fit in with that group. They had definite ideas of what they wanted to do. I've heard people cover them where the drums or bass did little extra diddies and it sort of ruined it. They had a driving beat, relentless, and diddies could go to hell.

[@grantbaechler3529]

The only time i got to see ACDC was the razors edge tour, and they didn't disappoint. I was in total awe the whole show.

[@Steve-e7p]

my only time was with Bon Scott in Oct 1979 and it was my best concert ever. Two days after my birthday

[@26KE185]

I seen ac/dc at whitley bay icerink here in northeast england in 1986 fly on the wall tour...still have ticket and proramme 🤘😃

[@SST4SSG]

Cool! I was happy with "Flick Of The Switch" in 1983 at 10-yrs old in DC suburbs. I wish I saw them live in the days you did too

[@westernsellers9148]

Thank you for this. Chris Slade is badass❤

[@artistsonrecord]

Couldn't agree more!

[@JeffDufty]

What an excellent interview. I am a drummer and big fan of Chris’. I was delighted when he joined AC/DC. He is under appreciated in my opinion. Take a listen to his work with Manfred Mann EB. Listening to him play on The album, “Watch” through headphones is amazing. Highly recommmended.

[@haliaeetus8221]

Chris has always been my ACDC drummer. Love his playing.

[@akroadscholar]

Love Chris Slade’s stage presence and set-up. When he played thunderstruck and had the two big drums raised to his side’s was powerfully driven.

[@malcolmyoungacdc]

Chris brought a bit of extra fun to the rhythm section. What a legend.

[@JimmyPeaTV]

Had the joy of meeting Chris and his band many times on my ship. An absolutely lovely guy who's as humble as he is awesome. It was always great to see him onboard, and each member of his band were always talkative and a laugh to be around. Great Memories 💖💖💖

[@prisonersforprofit]

great interview, slade really giving some insight into a band that keeps a pretty tight lid on everything ac/dc. so true about their music being heavy pop songs. what sells the heavy is their gritty lyrics and appearance, their lyrics promoting a hard-working/hard living, working class rock and roll.

[@tfs4499]

Such a great, versatile drummer!!!

[@MyBichSustained]

I saw AC/DC in 91 on the Razors Edge tour,my first concert and Chris was a mad man...the beats hitting my chest was taking my breath away...literally! No concert after achieved that intense hitting....none!

[@soeffingwhat]

Same with me. A great show.

[@MyBichSustained]

@@soeffingwhat I was stellar! That show and Metallica a year later and it was a massive difference, only two arena shows I have seen...Only club Bands after that.

[@soeffingwhat]

@@MyBichSustained You should definitely go to more Arena shows.

[@SunnnyDay]

Classy guy with a fantastic resume ! Saw him play on Gilmour's tour in 1984 !!

[@davidlambert2537]

What a decent humble man !!! He is and will always be as much ac/dc as anyone !!!

[@csnide6702]

Slade has an incredible motor (stamina) ... Check out his non-stop beat in the Live Donnington video.

[@frankmesiti4824]

Imagine an absolute gun drummer like Chris Slade being nervous auditioning for AC/DC? Although I grew up listening to Phil Rudd with AC/DC and believing he is the ultimate drummer for the band, we love you Chris and have nothing but respect and admiration for your contribution to this legendary band. I don't understand why you or Simon aren't in there as a replacement for Phil on the current tour but anyway, God bless.

[@bastiroxx9545]

I can tell you why he is not part of the band. His timing is real bad, can‘t you hear it?! Razors Edge/Donnington - simply perfect! But now? Sorry man, it‘s not the real deal….

[@By-Fun-Jokes-Guitars]

Best rhythm player 👌 confirmed , genius confirmed 👏 👌 🙌 👍 😂 what a guy 😎

[@alexguitarwatson3215]

love this guy - great stories

[@ry-man4354]

i enjoy Chris's playing. love seeing him in ac/dc videos.

[@LivingDeadDrummer]

This sort made me feel so much better about myself. I get nervous before any first gig or audition with a new band.

[@spinynorman8217]

Stayed in an airbnb last year in Sussex which used to be Chris's home during the ACDC years, it's still there for hire BTW.

[@caseD5150]

Link!?

[@stargroves14]

The 2 Firm albums made him a legend for me!😀

[@teamrecon2685]

Saw the tour in 1986. Agreed.

[@bcancun123]

I still got the vinyl

[@210078]

Chris is such a great drummer and person...

[@WarriorMigs24]

Chris Slade is so good

[@jaydoubleu3419]

I love their fly on the wall cd best of all

[@jasonshepard8318]

Great interview! Great stories made vivid by great questions stimulating great responses. Bravo.

[@artistsonrecord]

Thank you 🙏

[@russellw7785]

Rudd was great no doubt, but Slade added something that you wanted to see. Loved to watch Slade play those drums

[@BlueTitan7]

Yes, if you didn't understand what the band was all about...

[@eugenia523]

I agree.

[@ChrisRockwellRX]

Excellent interview. Host respects the musicians space to process and share such valuable insights. Thanks!

[@artistsonrecord]

Appreciate your comment! Thank you being here in our Rock N’ Roll community.

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

Malcom and Angus are sometimes they're own worst enemies. Eg - sacking Mutt Lange and the their whole management after "For Those About To Rock"

[@rlpd5218]

Chris drummed for David Gilmour's band at 1984 hammer Smith odeon go watch that concert Chris did a great job

[@Sk8Vader]

Love you Chris 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@jerrypauling7809]

Much Respect Chris always thought you brought a lot to the table with ACDC.

[@WhitePointerGaming]

Slade just brought so much energy to the band, he moved around a lot, working up a sweat, putting everything he had into it and looking like he was having a blast doing it. Rudd just looked like he was up there doing a job, looking bored and with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

[@bonscott6353]

Yeah he comes across in interviews like a bit of a misery guts

[@werewolfzeus]

People would never agree with me on this, but I honestly prefer Chris Slade AC/DC. He gave them a power that Rudd didn’t.

[@MSMWorkshop]

​@@werewolfzeus i think in term of show, yes, nothing to compare, Chris all the way. Phil is really static.

[@zeppelinmexicano]

I think you guys are carried away with Chris' optics and don't appreciate Phil because of his lack of optics. Phil was a metronome and right on the beat at all times, and with as much power as you wanted. I have no favorite between them. Why bother? Greatness must express itself differently in all cases.

[@werewolfzeus]

@@zeppelinmexicano my thing is this: listen to (for example) shoot to thrill, back in black or let there be rock on the following: Live at Donington No Bull Stiff Upper Lip Live Live at River Plate Live at Donington has an energy and power and drive from the rhythm section that Phil never brought. Chris slade was just a machine. That being said, It’s all preference because Phil is still king for 90% of fans. Like you said man greatness is greatness!!

[@timwingham8952]

Exactly right - pop songs played heavy. And I love it all!

[@zeppelinmexicano]

Great interview, just enough talk from you, and plenty of talk from Chris. I always liked his style. Don't really care if they passed him by once because it has to be about some individualism thing, not his playing. Go Chris Go.

[@GoodMrDawes]

Legend. What a career

[@controloz3310]

What a remarkable group of musicians. I know someone in the Scott family and that’s exactly what it is. A family.

[@grimmertwin2148]

Wanna hear beautiful story? Malcolm and Angus always wanted the Stones to do a purely Blues album. When Malcolm was dying Angus played him Blue and Lonesome repeatedly. He's sure it put a smile on Malcolm's face and eased his suffering. They are good people. So is Chris. That's why he got the gig.....and great stories to tell

[@Ronnie_B]

Thanks for that story about Malcolm

[@grimmertwin2148]

@@Ronnie_B ✌️👌

[@CHEMICALLEMON98]

Great interview

[@davidlishin5583]

What a wonderful, great guy

[@David-zh4om]

Chris had an unmatched energy behind the drums. A showman if you will. Thats why he has backed up so many different groups

[@beanbison]

. The right choice. Sounded and looked great. Donnington 91

[@AndrewGrey22]

I really miss the world when it was as simple as what was happening with ACDC or Van Halen. Good times.

[@Wanderlust073]

I think thats more about missing being a kid than the state of the world.

[@bobbafett1849]

​@@Wanderlust073 I say you both are correct!

[@jtommyprice]

@@Wanderlust073Nah. At least where I live it was much better and safer. It’s nuts now.

[@allencollins6031]

​@@jtommyprice💯

[@fu8713]

🔥🔥 LEGENDS 🔥🔥

[@shaymcquaid]

Great story!

[@christheghostwriter]

I first heard Slade when The Firm debuted, and I saw them live twice. I was a teenage rock fan who was into the usual stuff (Zeppelin, Bad Company, Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, etc) but was also into more specifically 80s stuff like Bowie, Devo, Gary Numan, and so on. The Firm's rock bombast coupled with 80s-style crisp, tight grooves really appealed to me. I started playing drums around that time (later playing professionally in the 90s) , and playing along with that debut Firm album was how I first learned to play While many of my fellow drummers at the time were trying to learn every nuance of Rush's "Tom Sawyer," I was soaking up Slade's less-is-more approach. Being able to hold down a groove without getting in the way helped me get a lot of gigs. I owe this guy a lot more than I could ever repay

[@professornuke7562]

When I was kid growing up in Australia in the 1970's, Acca Dacca was called "Hard Rock". Literally as he says, Pop music played heavy.

[@VaraLaFey]

In the late 70s and early 80s in the upper midwest USA we called them "Ack Dick", and considered them Hard Rock / Heavy Metal (HR/HM), which they are. I wish the HR/HM label was still around, as it's a useful distinction since metal has spun off into so many sub-genre since '80.

[@CailenCambeul]

South Australia here: Same experience. Agree 100% When I got older I noticed that the first AC/DC songs on the Australian High Voltage album were like a continuation of the best solid rock from their older brother and his successful globetrotting band from the 60's, The Easybeats. In a lot of ways, AC/DC is the continuation of The Easybeats today. An unbroken history going back around 60 years!

[@pgprog]

That LIVE! In Donington so so good so tight the sound the visual wonderful. I have watched 1000 times. On VSH DVD so so good and just seeing Chris’s face when he’s playing priceless.

[@thesteveus]

As long as Phil is around and can play, he'll always be AC/DC's first choice for drummer. Chris is a great drummer but Phil will never be completely out of the band.

[@RoverWaters]

true

[@andrewrivera4029]

Too funny, nice to hear about Malcolm being the heart of AC/DC.

[@hinjurock]

His drumming and backing vocals on Blinded By The Light are top tier.

[@frank215n]

Loved Chris from the Manfred Mann days and was really happy when he joined AC/DC because they wouldn't skip a beat(no pun intended) and Chris had his own image that fit the band

[@alwaysright3718]

Respect dude...

[@madaro504]

Thank you Chris x

[@artistsonrecord]

You are so welcome

[@pvg993]

Malcolm’s band definitely but the impact of elder brother George ( the Easybeats) can’t be forgotten … Fab interview , well done Chris !

[@jjvermeer]

Yes. You could argue that without George's guidance in the early years they may have remained a popular Aussie band. George was largely responsible for getting Bon Scott into the band. And let's not forget Harry Vanda.

[@peterwynberg]

I saw Chris with David Gilmour, in 1984, and AC/ DC,IN 19996. GREAT DRUMMER!

[@thesoultransferprotocol721]

Yeah I saw that Gilmour Tour in SF at The Cow Palace in 1984. He played songs from the movie, Legend, soundtrack. That was David in his prime and he still kills it to this day.

[@barriethomas6414]

Fantastic Drummer....Huge Respect to ya Chris.

[@Samuli501]

Great story.

[@Crowhil13]

The more I hear of these stories I hear the more legendary Malcolm and Angus are. I've always known that Malcolm was the the band leader. God level.

[@iaingreenstreet6920]

If I ever get to meet Chris Slade I’m gonna take him to the the pub for a pint! What a genuine guy.

[@magnusmowat8024]

Chris is good and Phil is good. They’re both different so you can’t compare them. 😊

[@bengtkarlsson9747]

Excellent interview! I was so impressed by Chris bass drums when i saw Thunderstruck the 1:st time. Interesting what you say about "POP-songs". For me i rate these as bottom tracks...

[@SidLaw500]

Love Slade's performance on Tom Jones Live in Las Vegas.

[@larrygranato838]

Chris on the Razors Edge just phenomenal! The drums on Are you Ready are just tribal!!

[@dakidd729]

Brilliant!

[@Marine_Ret]

I didn’t realize until recently that when I saw Manfred Mann sometime around 1976 (Blinded By Light era) Chris Slade was the drummer.

[@davidsmith9873]

ACDC one of the best live acts for rock and roll band. They had massive success, were and are still loved-they made an incredible amount of money......that is all you need to know.

[@JeffDufty]

Love the new Timeline album 😊

[@johncavar2914]

Great sincere 👏 interview..duck walks 🚶‍♂️ legend lol

[@mikefox1711]

Manferd Man'"s Earth band were a Great band back in 1974/75.

[@user-cx5jo4do6t]

J’adore Chris 👍 Il a tellement apporté au groupe quand il en avait besoin ! Mémorable concert Dogniton 91 ❤

[@eugenepohjola258]

Howdy. Hail to Chris Slade. Let there be Rock in Donnington. 12 minutes of brutal drumming. What stamina ! Regards.

[@bigscountrygame3510]

Chris Slade was outstanding in AC/ DC IMO! 🔥😎

[@lennyjay22GbgLALV]

Adika!!! How cool is this !! Great interview. It’s so cool to get some inside info :)

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

Phil is me favourite AC/DC drummer but Chris is a fockin MACHIIIINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mauharley]

AC/DC didn't write heavy pop songs aside from You Shook Me All Night Long, and hated being classified as heavy metal. They are rock n roll through and through. Chris may be a technically a more proficient drummer, but Phil had the AC/DC swing. Chris Slade was just a gun for hire.