AC/DC ‘Rock or Bust’ world tour drummer Chris Slade discussed Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose joining the band in a new Eonmusic interview.
“Angus [Young, guitar] was running around like a schoolboy, you know?! It did reinvigorate the band. Brian is great, as we all know; he’s a great personality and a great guy. Axl brought his voice to it. Like, I couldn’t believe the notes he hit; it was staggering. And I actually had no hope at all. When I heard that Axl was going to be in the band, I thought, ‘Oh, what?!’ Because I’d only ever heard that Guns N’ Roses voice, but all great singers, they can change the timbre of their voice, and wow, he hit notes that dogs can only hear. It was unbelievable! I thought he did an amazing job. I could hear him very clearly because I use in-ear monitors, and it’s the best I’ve ever heard the band.”
He was also asked about the rumors that AC/DC is recording a new album with Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd back in the lineup, and Slade even threw in an Axl Rose rumor.
“If it works, good luck. It’s great. And why not? There’s all sorts of rumors; Axl’s going to be doing a track, Brian’s going to be doing a track; there’s so many variables here. And I’ve learned with AC/DC also not to believe the rumors, because even fans fake things; things just get faked. But Angus is now over 60, I think, so he’s still got a few years to go, if you go by me and Brian. That’s all he does; he relaxes by painting, and he smokes [cigarettes], and that’s about it, so the rest of the time, he’s playing guitar.”
He also said, “I’m not sure about [who is playing bass]. But Stevie [Young] and Angus both play bass. Would Cliff [Williams] come out of retirement? It depends on if he’s bored or not, because all he will want to do these days is go fishing with his son, who is a professional fisherman. So, I don’t know. It’s possible, of course, but there again, it’s all rumors. But Angus is very big, family-orientated, a la Stevie, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a nephew or a cousin or something who plays bass So, that’s just a thought.”
