PremiumAC/DC original drummer Colin Burgess dies at 77, fans shower condolences
The first drummer of hard rock band AC/DC, Colin Burgess, passed away at the age of 77, on December 16, according to a social media statement of the iconic band. He was with the band during the 1970s.
Last Updated: 04.09 AM, Dec 17, 2023
Colin Burgess, the original drummer of the renowned rock band AC/DC passed away on December 16, 2023. Aged 77 at the time of death, a cause of death has not yet been revealed. The band took to their website and social media to announce the sad news. No sooner did they post than the condolences from fans started to pour in.
On Instagram, AC/DC uploaded an old black and white photo of the late drummer, captioning it, “Very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Burgess. He was our first drummer and a very respected musician. Happy memories, rock in peace Colin.”
Condolences and fond memories poured in from fans, who had not forgotten the talented drummer. One wrote, “Him and bon are rocking it out in the pearly gates,” alluding to the band’s later vocalist Bon Scott.
Another commented, “Rest in power, Colin Burgess. Your thunderous beats paved the way for generations of rockers to come. You’ll always be remembered as the heartbeat of AC/DC’s early years.” A third fan penned, “For those of us who have rocked, we salute you!” along with a folded hands emoji. A fourth reminisced, “His drumming on Choice Cuts and Panama red was exceptional.”
Before his stint with the AC/DC, Colin Burgess had been a part of a rock group called The Masters Apprentices, which temporarily split ways in 1972. He had been among the founding members of AC/DC, which included vocalist Dave Evans, rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, his brother, lead guitarist Angus Young, and bassist Larry Van Kriedt, since its initiation in 1973.
He played with the band till 1974, recorded their debut single Can I Sit Next To You, Girl with them, which went on to become a minor Australian hit. However, his partnership with the rock band soon ended when he was banished for being drunk while performing. Though Colin Burgess contradicted the accusation by claiming that his drink had been spiked unbeknownst to him, nothing ever came out of it.
Even though Burgess was not inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with AC/DC, Phil Rudd was, he was engraved in the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 1998 for his performance and contribution to music, with The Masters Apprentices.