AC/DC’s founding drummer, Colin Burgess, leaves a behind a lasting legacy—at 77. Vale, legend
In a heartfelt post on their official Facebook page, AC/DC shared the news of the passing of Colin Burgess, the Australian drummer who played a crucial role in the band’s early hard-rock days during the 1970s.
At the age of 77, Burgess leaves behind a musical legacy that has left an indelible mark on the rock genre.
The band’s message, posted on a Friday evening, expressed sadness over the loss and paid tribute to Burgess’s contribution: “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.”
Details about the cause of his death were not disclosed.
Colin Burgess joined AC/DC in November 1973, joining forces with Malcolm and Angus Young, lead vocalist Dave Evans, and bassist Larry Van Kriedt. His time with the band was relatively short-lived, as he was let go in February 1974 amid allegations of being drunk on stage, a claim he later refuted, attributing it to a spiked drink. Despite the brief departure, Burgess returned for a short stint in 1975, filling in for one of the drummers.
Before his time with AC/DC, Burgess played with the renowned Australian rock group, the Masters Apprentices, which earned a place in the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 1998. Colin Burgess’s impact on the Australian rock scene and his role as AC/DC’s inaugural drummer will be remembered with appreciation and fondness.
