AC/DC Bassist Cliff Williams to Retire at End of Current Tour

Sadly it seems that piece by piece AC/DC keeps falling more and more apart. First rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young has to retire due to dementia, then drummer Phil Rudd gets in legal trouble that keeps him from touring or recording, singer Brian Johnson is forced to quit due to hearing loss, and now this: long time bassist Cliff Williams has announced his retirement at the end of the Rock or Bust tour.

Williams, who has been with the band since 1977 feels that it seems like it's the right time for him to hang up his bass and call it a day due to all of the recent major changes AC/DC has faced. In an interview with Gulfshore Life, Williams says:

“It’s been what I’ve known for the past 40 years, but after this tour I’m backing off of touring and recording. Losing Malcolm [Young], the thing with Phil [Rudd] and now with Brian [Johnson], it’s a changed animal. I feel in my gut it’s the right thing.”

At this point, Angus and Williams are the only two members of AC/DC currently in the band that have been in the band since the early Bon Scott era. As it stands, Chris Slade the current drummer is the next longest tenured member, having been in the band from the mid-80's into the early 90's. Stevie Young, Malcolm and Angus's nephew did a short stint in the late 80's and took over for Malcolm when he retired. The band currently has no new official singer, but Guns N' Roses front man Axl Rose took over for the tail end of the European leg of the current tour.

To be honest, I kind of get where Williams is coming from with the band being a changed animal. When you're one of the only long time/original members left of a band things feel entirely different from the way they did when you first got things going. You have to ask yourself "Is this really still the band I started/joined way back when?". If the answer is no and it doesn't feel right to you, it's time to move on. I don't blame Williams in the least for wanting to just call it a day. He has been doing this for about 40 years at this point and has had a hugely successful career. He has earned his rest. What I wonder now though is what Angus will decide to do with AC/DC once Williams leaves. Personally I think it's time for the whole band to call it a day if most of what people consider AC/DC is gone.