On this day in 1960, Phil Rudd, drummer for AC/DC, was born in Melbourne, Australia.
(His full name is Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecuis!)
Rudd drummed with AC/DC from 1975-1983, and again from 1994-2015. In 2003, he was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, along with his fellow AC/DC band members.
Rudd is known for his huge groove, solid backbeat, and serve-the-song drumming mentality, which earned him praise from peers like KISS drummer Eric Singer, who described Rudd as “the heart and soul of AC/DC.”
As Drum editor Nick Grizzle put it, “He’s not the flashiest drummer, or the most technical, but damn is it ever satisfying to smack that 2 and 4 with such rock going on around you.”
Celebrate this no-nonsense rock drummer with the following songs, starting with “Back In Black,” above.
“You Shook Me All Night Long”
From 1980’s Back In Black.
“It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Want To Rock And Roll)”
From 1975’s T.N.T.
“Black Ice” (Live)
From 2008’s album Black Ice.
“Rock And Roll Train” (Live)
Also from 2008’s Black Ice.
And one more live clip, shot in London in 2009.