Phil Rudd Reveals His Disappointment After AC/DC Didn’t Reach Out

Phil Rudd, longtime drummer for AC/DC, has finally made peace with being excluded from the band’s recent touring plans, although he admits he still hasn’t received any explanation. In a revealing interview with Stuff, Rudd reflected on the emotional toll of the decision. “There was a time when I thought it was the end of the world,” he said. “Those people I thought loved me like a brother, they haven’t even picked up the phone.”

Rudd missed the band’s 2015-2016 Rock or Bust tour due to well-documented legal issues. He returned to record drums on AC/DC’s 2020 album Power Up, but when the band resumed touring in 2023, Rudd was replaced by Matt Laug—an unexpected move that came without public explanation.

A Tribute to Bon Scott and the Fans

Despite the setback, Rudd remains deeply connected to AC/DC’s legacy. When asked if he would ever consider rejoining the band, he was clear about his motivations. “If asked, I’d only do it for the fans, and for Bon,” he said, referencing the band’s late frontman Bon Scott. “When Bon died, even in AC/DC I felt alone. To me, AC/DC was always Bon. My favorite album is Highway to Hell. My favorite song — his song ‘Touch Too Much.’”

This summer, Rudd performed some of the band’s classics with a New Zealand orchestra, keeping his connection with the music alive.

Life Beyond the Stage

As AC/DC prepares for its first Australian shows in over a decade, Rudd says he’s content focusing on his personal interests. “Driving, drumming, rooting and shooting — those are my hobbies, and I’m not so bad at all of them,” he shared. “I never loved the spotlight or craved fame.”

While the door remains open for a reunion, for now, Rudd seems to have found peace away from the stage.