SYDNEY, NSW (VIP-NEWS) — AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams is retiring after nearly 40 years with the iconic Aussie rock band.
Williams confirmed the news in a video on Tuesday coinciding with the end of AC/DC`s Rock or Bust World Tour. In July, he had previously noted in an interview that he was planning on leaving the group.
"It`s time for me to step out, that`s all," he said, acknowledging the group`s numerous personnel changes in recent years. He specifically noted the departures of iconic longtime members Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd, but added that the band has been dealing with this sort of thing since original singer Bon Scott`s death in 1980.
"Everything changes with something like that…. Everything changes, so it`s not that. It`s just, I`m ready to get off the road and do what I do in between tours," he said. "I know how to do that, I know what I`m gonna do. It`s just my time, I`m happy I just need family time, just chill out and not do this."
Williams joined AC/DC in 1977 as a replacement to original bassist Mark Evans. After founding guitarist Malcolm Young`s retirement in 2014 due to dementia, Williams became the band`s second most senior member after Angus Young.
"I couldn`t have asked for anything more — being with the people I`m with and have been, being in this situation with this band, playing this music," Williams said.
