The music world mourned the loss of Colin Burgess, the original drummer of AC/DC, who passed away on December 16, 2023, at the age of 77.
AC/DC’s official Instagram account made the announcement of Burgess’s passing without specifying the cause of death. Unnamed band members bid a solemn farewell to the late musician with a heartfelt “rock in peace.”
Born on November 16, 1946, Burgess left an indelible mark on the Australian rock music scene. He was associated with several bands, including The Untamed, The Haze, and The Masters Apprentice. However, his brief tenure with AC/DC brought him considerable attention. Burgess was part of the group for a mere four months, from November 1973 to February the following year, until his dismissal due to reportedly performing while under the influence of alcohol. He later attributed the incident to a drink that was spiked without his knowledge, but the consequence of the incident was undeniable.
Burgess’s departure led to a series of replacements in the drummer’s seat, eventually settling in early 1975 with the recruitment of Phil Rudd. However, in a gesture uncommon in the music industry, Burgess was temporarily brought back into AC/DC later in the same year to substitute for Rudd during his recovery from a hand injury.
Post his association with AC/DC, Burgess continued his musical journey. He collaborated with his brother, Denny, to form His Majesty, and later co-founded The Burgess Brothers Band, later rebranded as Burgess Burgess. In 1998, both brothers survived a serious car accident, an experience that partly inspired the 2005 documentary titled “The Comeback Kings.”
