Colin Burgess, the original drummer for rock band AC/DC in the early 1970s, has died, the band confirmed on social media. He was 77 years old.
“Very sad to hear of the death of Colin Burgess,” read an unsigned message on the band’s official Facebook page Friday evening.
“He was our first drummer and a well-respected musician. Good memories, rock in peace Colin. »
The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Burgess was recruited in November 1973 to help form AC/DC with Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar and his brother Angus on lead guitar, vocalist Dave Evans and bassist Larry Van Kriedt.
The band fired Burgess in February 1974, accusing him of being drunk on stage. He later said someone had put drugs in his drink. He was followed by a succession of drummers and replaced one of them for a few months in 1975.
Before AC/DC, Burgess played with Australian rock band The Masters Apprentices, who were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 1998.
