Why Phil Rudd is the coolest drummer

Brian Johnson tells us why Phil Rudd is the best drummer.

[@keefriff99]

Phil Rudd is a character. I met him in 2000...nicest, quietest guy you could imagine...walked out with a single security guard to sign autographs after the gig in New Jersey. He was very patient and nice to everyone. I told him that AC/DC wasn't the same without him, and he appreciated it. He's one of my drum idols...rock-steady, hard-hitting, most precise 4/4 beat in rock'n'roll hands-down. His feel is incredible. Swing and groove to spare.

[@raypowers8083]

I was at that concert with great seats. I didn't hang out after the set, as my ears were ringing from the FTATR finale.

[@rorshack23]

So glad I'm not the only one with this opinion (of Phil) :)

[@rohnakp2396]

Phil is THE AC/DC DRUMMER

[@ThunderbuttDandiRainy]

​@@rohnakp2396no shit sherlock

[@blubberblahh]

phil cliff and malcolm are like an atomic clock. just perfect timing and sound. this is what makes acdc special and unique.

[@dupersuper6516]

R.I.P Malcolm

[@jokuvaanoikee242]

Angus too

[@bradss1000]

salad- yes absolutely, since he is constantly listening to his brother and the other boys so he knows the exact time to explode!.... atomic clock for sure!!

[@blackace69]

ACDC is special everyone of them had a caracther and they are music geniuses.

[@wiley666]

Absolutely

[@Smigel1979]

I love to hear Brian Johnson talking. What a nice guy! :)

[@lynyrddeville]

I just love how he makes his one eye go sloopy when he imitates Phil!

[@ziragers9562]

lynyrddeville lol, noticed that...

[@Joetime90]

From the cigarette he's always smoking?

[@bobvinson3601]

The greatest drummers in the world are the ones that are happy playing was the music calls for, not what they wish it would call for. Simple is awesome, Phil is solid, never misses a beat.

[@seancurrey8765]

I was very lucky bac in the 70s to see the whole band together an playing live I will never forget BONS voice live just awesome an Phil no doubt best LIVE drummer on the planet for a long time.I will never forget .have photos an coupla things signed by Angus an BON. Best an Phil on drums. AWESOME.

[@ImperialRadioYT]

Bob Vinson fuckin human metro-nome

[@majormike9664]

Phil, Charlie Watts, best timekeepers in ROCK N ROLL.

[@thomasfleig1780]

Slade is a good drummer, but he wants to improvise too much. Phil is always tight and doesn't over play. Slade was on the drums when they recorded "Thunderstruck". I love the song but the first time i saw a video of them playing it live, and Phil was on the drums, I couldn't believe how much better it was. Atleast in my opinion. I wish he had been on the album. You can watch 10 live videos of each playing the same song, and Phil is the same on every one. Keeps it simple and clean.

[@one_with_kevrything9825]

@@majormike9664 My top two right there.

[@UserUli]

He once said: I dont have to impress people. That is the best quote I've ever heard by a musician.

[@deletebilderberg]

Watching Phil smoke a cigarette from start to finish without touching it whilst playing Back in Black is the stuff of legends.

[@saltysponge9965]

Phil Rudd is perfect as AC/DCs Drummer. Hes a beast

[@samc.7323]

salty sponge Chris is so much better! The razors edge and the new album is so much harder and Nice!!!

[@samc.7323]

salty sponge What if Phil plotted to kill Angus? You would like a then....would you??

[@7125Mhz]

@@samc.7323 I'm a drummer of many many years. NO ONE will replace Phil's groove. No "machine-like" bald head bastard can do that.

[@coldbeer5552]

@@samc.7323 what if I told you Phil Rudd played every part on Rock or Bust? Do you still like it?

[@92Redstrat]

I'm a huge Bon fan to the point that I had a hard time accepting Brian; but this vid really warmed me up to Brian. He's a funny guy and I think Phil is underrated. Long live the Phil machine, Brian and the spirit of Bon Scott!

[@gringochucha]

Phil is like Ringo. People who don't understand drumming don't think much of them, and we drummers who know that groove and consistency are a million times more important than chops worship them.

[@Possum880]

Phil Rudd is an amazing drummer, I’ll take his thunderous no nonsense approach to drumming over pretentious mastubatory drum fills and double kicks any day. An absolute legend!

[@yourdailydoseofnegativity8964]

While I do agree I prefer a simple, solid, thunderous beat, those “pretentious drum fills and double kicks” take more skill and dedication than Phil could ever imagine… prove me wrong

[@yourdailydoseofnegativity8964]

@Mezzy Mez boom

[@ochocabra1542]

@@yourdailydoseofnegativity8964 it's the opposite, actually. and it's been proven for decades and decades

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Phil is an excellent technical drummer , its just you don't see it much in AcDc

[@maxhydra6432]

Theres abseloutley nothing wrong with being technically impressive

[@BlakeNix]

Brian could rock the hell out of 60,000 people and then go have a beer with em all afterwards.

[@rohnakp2396]

1000%

[@signoresantinoburnett1169]

Phil's drumming during Let There be Rock is a stuff of legend.

[@iloveacdc5791]

Yes!

[@rohnakp2396]

no

[@rohnakp2396]

@@iloveacdc5791 no

[@rohnakp2396]

It's a stuff of a god

[@iloveacdc5791]

@@rohnakp2396 You are right, sorry for my mistake.

[@colingoodall7719]

Phil Rudd - the human metronome - the most natural sounding, feeling drummer in rock. Kit sound and groove is always right - awesome 🤓

[@bernie4366]

yeah, and Yngwie Malmsteen is a better guitarist than Angus, right? After all, he plays faster. Dumbass.

[@ImperialRadioYT]

rock fucking on!

[@colingoodall7719]

Sorry if I offended anyone with my observation of Phil Rudd's drum style. Wasn't taking away from J Bonham or any other drum master for that matter. Purely a taste thing for me, whereas Chris Slade for example is also a great drummer I always thought that the mid tempo feel in the pocket style of rock drumming was sewn up by Phil Rudd. A lot of drummers agreed can 4 to the floor it But very few contain that 'behind the Beat' feel factor. That's all I'm saying ✌🏻️🤓

[@colingoodall7719]

Lord Sauceness I couldn't agree more. In fact I love all the skinners that you have mentioned here. Isn't this what makes music so amazing and subjective! Phill just happened to be the right man for the right job with AC/DC and made them sound so cool (along with all the other elements of course) same way as Moon The Loon made the Who sit the way they did with his drumming madness. No other drummer that sat in made it work as well although the Who had their share of great drummers. All subjective of course ✌🏻️🤓

[@bernie4366]

***** Everybody's music is simple compared to Led Zeppelin, but Zep is the best that ever did what they do, and AC/DC is the best that ever did what they do. These guys you think play simple shit have been playing professionally for their entire lives. They can do whatever they want on that instrument, there are guys in bar bands just technically proficient as anyone ever put on vinyl. The question is what kind of music do you choose to make, what kind of talent do you have to make something that people want to hear? Musical virtuosity on an instrument isn't in short supply, there are amazing musicians everywhere. Throw a rock and you'll hit one. Talent for making world class, unforgettable and unique hooks and songs? That's what makes the difference.

[@SirSSau]

Brian is great at the Aussie accent, no easy to do.

[@ElrondHubbard1]

Yeah I noticed that too. Not many people can get it right.

[@tieukhavu8832]

Or any accent when speak English

[@spongiecat]

Which is interesting, since he was imitating Phil rudd who is a new zealander

[@SirSSau]

@@spongiecat Phil was born in Melbourne, Australia and is a Aussie. Just like kiwis living in Australia they still sound kiwi, haven’t you ever heard Phil talk? He sounds more Aussie than kiwi that’s for sure.

[@spongiecat]

Oh ok ,i did not know that. Thank you 😊

[@brettharding9803]

Bring back Phil Rudd

[@tieukhavu8832]

He is back along with the others (Cliff, Brian, Angus, Stevie) and working on next album.

[@2014cwajts71]

@@tieukhavu8832 Cliff's still retired isn't he?

[@mikespearwood3914]

@@2014cwajts71 Apparently not anymore.

[@YourFellowRNRSisterFan98]

It’s so amazing that Brian and Phil are back, you guys are amazing down to earth men, cannot wait to see you on the next tour!

[@Joetime90]

Inspiration.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

As Malcolm said, "he's the AC/DC sound, he's got that swing". And I love to hear Brian with his Geordie accent imitating the Aussie accent. Gold.

[@raphas7332]

I saw Acdc with Phil in Cologne and Dortmund 2000.. 2001 in Hannover, 2009 in Dortmund,Gelsenkirchen and 2010 Hannover… it was so amazing.. Phil is a fucking BEAST!

[@MarkanVaran7]

lucky guy

[@Jack-ny4vu]

“You are a machine my man” Phil: I know.

[@SR-xk8cd]

Phil Rudd, the human metronome, and one of the great drummers of all time.

[@ACDC1998Zippo]

I come back to this video every once in a while, it never fails to get a laugh out of me. You simply gotta love Brian.

[@Allmanfan456]

Honestly Phil Rudd is my favorite drummer ever. Hes the master of writing the best grooves! Everything he does makes the song so great! Even though it seems simple sometimes its not. He has some complicated cymbal work. Hes very underrated!

[@lesterclaypool1]

i was in a few acdc tribute bands and we went through 17 drummers trying to get just one that could mock Phil ,,,, his snare is the absolute best rock solid , and never lissing a beat ever hes the master of timming

[@glengamble526]

I’ve played two different Ac-Dc tributes and I do a good Phil-better than most, if I’m modest. But that said, no one is ever exact. He has such a unique swing and feel.

[@SpoofyZapps435]

A pear of teats

[@malcolmyoungi]

things like that make me so happy i have Phil as a inspiration to the drums

[@rohnakp2396]

I love Brian Johnson....such a funny cool old dude 😁😎

Phil’s intro fill lead into the song Stormy Mayday is always my favorite. Such simple intro and I dont see any other beat that is more fit

[@AndrewGrey22]

I wish I knew more about Phil when he was younger, where he came from, his life when he was a kid, etc. I've never heard any history about Phil.

[@Khironification]

@SmithyGaming A click track is something musicians use in the studio and live in order to help them keep the rhythm of the song in their performance. The fact that Phil has such amazing internal timing and counting ability that he can perform all of AC/DC's songs on stage and in the studio without the aid of a click track is unbelievable. He's mastered the way of timing and groove in drumming, he is truly fantastic.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

A lot of records back then weren't recorded with a click you know

[@jaybirdk7414]

Phil Rudd has never played more than was called for, and Simon Wright and Chris Slade knew better than to mess with that classic AC/DC formula as well, for that matter. Phil, therefore, had plenty of space to learn to keep time, and he HAS become that human metronome! On a related note, same has been said for Malcolm Young. Between his solid guitar rhythms and Ruff’s no-nonsense drum beats, AC/DC were tighter and heavier than most other rock bands out there! It became their stock in trade, honestly.

[@905Speed]

i need this whole interview!!!!

[@nationrocker]

"whats thtat for?" "Insperation!!" LMFAO PHILL RULEZZ

[@Kiwigrunt]

Phil rocks!!! lives in my home town, does alot for our town.

[@dback139]

Phil is seriously one of the greatest drummers of rock n roll ever and he's such a badass! You could literally set your watch to his rhythm, he's just that amazingly accurate. Not surprised by his comments at all lol he knows he's that good!

[@aria4943]

Phil Rudd is underrated.

[@diegopalominoss]

Perfect sheeeit. Love Phil, how can he keep the beat on their longer songs?

[@thegman00]

Im a huge AC/DC fan & i thought for many years although they didnt change their style to me they seemed abit lost, they just didnt have the kick i was used to. Then when Phil re-joined AC/DC it became magic again & i realised Phil was what they were lacking. He just so suits the style of AC/DC. True AC/DC fans LOVE Phil : )

[@DaleChiTown]

Phil is the greatest rock drummer period. His sense of time, his groove, swing and when to thrown in a simple accent are second to none. Plus no click track ever!

[@carrot7215]

Ah for those who dont play drums that much, Phil Rudd's technique is NOT simple. It takes years of hard work and practice to make every part of the kit sound as good as he makes it sound. In brazil theres a term we say "well rounded" which basically means a beat that ia technically near perfect. Theres a lot of technicality in Phil's drumming, and you can prove that by asking newbies or intermediate players to try to emulate his playing. It wont sound as good. (I coule be wrong tho)

[@dupersuper6516]

Well, it's easy for him, just not for anyone else cause he was born with the gift. Even his live mistakes are in that same groove with that swing to them. it's just how he is, can't be replicated

[@zprofit]

Phill Rudd and Chris Slade both fit AC/DC better than any other drummers out there. However, Phil just has that groove that fits the band the best. Chris was excellent during his time in the band, and I would have given anything to see Chris playin with the boys back in the day.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Simon wasn't a slouch too. But i liked Simon a lot more with Dio though

[@jackstorm6974]

Phil Rudd (real name Phillip Rudzevecius), drummer of band AC/DC, is an Australian Lithuanian. , He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other members of AC/DC. He is currently living in Tauranga, New Zealand.

[@nitromf]

phil is under rated he can tear it up

[@The01Toby]

This is why AC/DC is the best band on earth, cause there is something about them that no one else can replicate, from Bon Scott to Phil Rudd, they are simply Amazing

[@stupendous7848]

I wish I could hang out with Brian on the weekends, drink some beers, watch football and talk AC/DC. Would be so cool

[@adspur]

OMG!Brian is so fun to listen too!This guy is great!

[@ankurbrahma54]

I love Phil Rudd's drum set! It sounds pure Rock!

[@pierrelaliberte3964]

Brian seems like the type of guy that would be a riot to tour with. Great attitude and funny as hell.

[@lerch122]

I bumped into phil many years ago,i went to the wrong house to do a job.He had a smashed up ford GT40 sitting in his garage and asked me if I knew where to get some panels for it,seemes a good bloke just needs to get off drugs

[@billmudd8516]

Least we forget these guys all had real jobs before (fame). Before binging the soundtrack of our lives if you don't think they have a work ethic you have never been to one of their live shows! They put more than a 40-hour work week in just one show. Been doing it forever and they still give it their all.

[@JLA12301985]

Phil Rudd is one man from AC/DC I haven't seen an interview with here on youtube yet but I bet he's awesome to talk to.

[@spikehofmann]

Brian is able effortlessly to slip into an Aussie accent

[@ASK_28]

What if Phil goes to jail and makes a jailbreak?

[@AlejandroGonzalez-fs5ez]

You mean a jaiiiiiiiiiil-break?

[@acdcjor]

All in the name of liberty.

[@leescott2069]

ffairlane57 or jailbreak by Ac/Dc hope you've gotten smarter over the last 3years? Thin lizzy??

[@leescott2069]

@Conor 98 nothing but were talking about Ac/dc

[@leescott2069]

@Conor 98 Bon Scott AC/DC all the way "powerage"

[@alexxxandder]

"u r a machine my friend, u r a machine." "i know"

[@MrLemmy2000]

phill is a machine the best

[@sammyday3341]

It all comes down to this: Phil’s ‘groove’ is in his DNA. Other drummers who sat in just don’t have it, although Simon Wright did an admirable job, especially on “Who Made Who”.

[@fabioanselmo4687]

Os dois bateristas do AC/DC são extremamente ótimos tanto o Phill Rud como o Criss Slade

[@bobthebear1246]

God I love these guys. ❤

[@J.A.Hansen]

Yeah Phil the Girls got the rhythm🥁💃😂😎👍🏽 I could listen to Brian Johnson for Hours,his got the heart at the right place and so is AC⚡DC.Still im Sad about Malcom R🕯P 🎸🎙♾🙏.But i hope Brian,Angus,Stevie,Cliff and Phil will go on,Keep on Rocking Friends🎙🎸🎸🎸🥁 This Band is buildet on a Solid Foundation,and Bon Scott and Malcom buildet this house of rock on the eternal Infinity of the blues writin in Letters of high voltage Rock &⚡& Roll✌

[@chuckshipley9917]

My favorite drummer

[@joedelreal5378]

Thanks Bill and Bert

[@jaybirdk74]

I always preferred Krupa's finesse and total control to Rich's unbridled speed, myself. But I don't foresee a Neil Peart -orchestrated homage to Krupa anytime soon. On the same wish list, I think it would be cool to see Peart and others do a touch-and-go for Sandy Nelson, too...think "Burning for Buddy", only a Campbell's Soup version (or, if you'd rather, a "Reader's Digest" version). Not to suck up to any drummer in particular, but even Meg White has her place...

[@gringochucha]

I'll take Krupa over Rich any day.

[@caronte008]

Bill Burr sent me here and i have to agree, Brian tells this story better.

[@jailbreak_7944]

I used to listen to AC/DC with Rudd on drums. I don't want to change it. Rudd is the best drummer.

[@andrewbochicchio2232]

That was awesome the piece of paper I love it

[@MrCmd7572]

sorry but phil rudd is a human metronome awesome don't take his downfall of drugs no ones perfect great player a lot of soul..

[@DrChopp69]

The highway to hell intro when phil comes in on the drums is the greatest sounding piece of rock n roll drumming of all time. That was the moment I finally picked up a guitar.

[@ZoxxoxxTV]

Funny that Phil Rudd is my next door neighbor. Hes just a normal local in Tauranga,NZ where I live lol.

[@barrygiddey9139]

He’s one of a kind-Living Legend!🥁

[@carntspell]

Phil Rudd and Steve Adler are probably my favourite drummers - no wanky look at me solos, just tight hard drumming. As a result 2 of the best hard rock bands ever. And holy cow both of them liked a good time. Still do I suppose.

[@joshuachaffey1453]

I agree 100% Phil and Steven are some of my biggest inspirations they are rock solid!!

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Steven used to do soli. And he s a great double bass player as well

[@bryansarracino8623]

Phil’s drumming in Shoot to Thrill. That’s it.

[@gravityphedyourmomsfavband6450]

Hahaha I love Phil's drumming, had no idea what a cool guy he is. One of my favorite drummers. He has a feel for playing what the song needs to make it sound great.

[@CastleHassall]

AC/DC were THE Best most tightest heaviest most Rocking most locked Hardest Hitting Rhythm section i have ever heard live, back in the mid 80s.. for reference they were heavier live than any of the big thrash bands were in the 80s and early 90s when i saw them all in their prime too.. I know people will doubt me but it you weren't there you would not understand..AC/DC in their prime ROCKED!!!

[@JamesFerrenTino]

they're all such likable guys

[@musicheadful]

Let comeback as you can do best near future!!!! You are the best!!!!!

[@duder6666]

I fuckin love this band

[@stevepwnz]

My cousin in Tauranga, NZ went shopping with Phil a while back . he was buying some computer games for his son or nephew (or something like that) . He wasn't sure on what game system he had so he brought one of every game in the shop just to cover it . :D

[@ludvik199t]

happy birtday mr rudd!

[@mohamedamine7610]

Bill Burr was right, Phil is one of a kind.

[@TheChickadita]

@fiddleup I listened to Phil practice his drums at his home in NZ recently. Very cool, great guy, great drummer.

[@95lloyd28]

I don't know where the rest of them are but Phil lives in New Zealand. He's lived here 20+ years, guy at the care asked him where he was going next and he said Mexico if that counts for anything.

[@turbomixer]

@TerryTresner Yes, it is simple drumming (says a drummer, me), but it's not about how simple or intricate the beat is but about the feeling it gives to the song, and Phil gives AC/DC it's particular sound. They have had many other drummers throughout their carreer, but no one gave that AC/DC feel other than Phil Rudd.

[@SlitMouthWoman]

I did my senior project and had bits about Phil on it.

[@lazn9863]

i love phil i hope he gets well

[@ultranitro437]

Bill burr just told this story on his podcast. I wish I could find it

[@shanecopner7827]

Love phil in the band,a monster drummer

[@bluesboydude]

brian is SO good at telling story's!

[@Senj1n]

Love Brians "Peeace of PAYPER"lol.. great accent

[@Superman_305]

Phil is one of the reasons why i play drums and why I'm an ac/dc because my very first ac/dc album i ever got was back and when i heard hell's bells i was hooked he's my drumming idol and the reason why i play the drums. To quote producer and engineer Mike Frasier when it comes to phil he doesn't want to play his drums he wants to destroy his drums. But guess what the sound of phil destroying his drums is awesome. 😎🤘🤘

[@hershysquirts187]

phil is one of the best. he played on some of the best rock n roll records ever recorded.

[@spookedhorse]

Back in the 90's I met Charlie Benante from Anthrax. Had a few beers together and started talking about drummers. I asked him what he thought of Rudd. He said. "Ya know man, no matter how long I'm playing, there's just certain shit from that guy and me or none else can reproduce." Says a lot, right there.

[@LittleSweety]

Happy birthday,Phil!

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

I was in a band that played lots of classic rock covers and we included Sin City , Beating Around the Bush , and Love Hungry Man. We'd get so pissed off at our drummer Martin when he'd screw up those songs that he finally said ' Kevin ( our guitarist) , you can play the damned drums for the acdc songs and I'll play guitar' So that's what we did. Kevin understood what made Rudd so good. Martin was great at playing everything from The Who and Cream to Stevie Wonder but he couldn't do Rudd as well as Kev could so he gladly switched.

[@yugijan2196]

Phill is my all time favorite drummer!

[@nicholasgarnett1767]

Phil Rudd is tops 🌞✌️🙏🇦🇺

[@kiloband7430]

Rock on Phil.

[@michaeldunges8316]

I´m a big AC/DC Fan but I only got albums with Phil on the drums. For me he´s the best drummer in history. His precision is unmatched, his beat is always as powerful as a shot of a gun. A "war machine" of Rock with heart and soul.

[@Khironification]

We're forgetting than Phil plays WITHOUT A FUCKING CLICK TRACK. That's how much of a beast he is!

[@kenouif]

Cool doesn’t mean better. Chris’ performance on The Razors Edge and Live albums and DVD shits over anything Phil did. And great stage presence too. Class act.

[@sum41deryck]

Thats what I call an inspiration.

[@satsMM]

"Inspiration" haha, made my day:)