Colin Burgess dead at 77: AC/DC pay tribute to band’s beloved drummer in heartbreaking message to ‘rock in peace’
ROCK musician and original AC/DC drummer Colin Burgess has died.
The Australian band made the heartbreaking announcement on Saturday.
He passed away at age 77 but the cause of death remains unknown.
AC/DC paid tribute to the “very respected” musician on Facebook.
“Very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Burgess,” the heartfelt post read on the band’s account.
“He was our first drummer and a very respected musician. Happy memories, rock in peace Colin.”
Fans flooded the comments of the post with admiration and condolences.
“Very sad news as I love rock music especially from Australia,” a Facebook user said.
“And he was a part of a generation of great musicians that kicked off the music industry in Australia, condolences to his family and friends.”
AC/DC released a string of hit songs throughout their decades-long run, one of their most popular being, Highway to Hell.
The group’s original bandmates included: Colin, Dave Evans, Larry Van Kriedt, Angus Young, and Malcolm Young.
Colin joined the band in 1973, but was fired a year later after he was accused of being drunk onstage.
He later said that someone spiked his drink.
In the years that followed, numerous drummers replaced Colin before Phil Rudd joined in 1975.
Colin also was the drummer for Masters Apprentices from 1968 to 1972.