Colin Burgess has died: the original AC/DC drummer was 77

Colin Burgess, the original drummer for the rock band AC/DC, has died aged 77.

His death was confirmed by the group in a statement on Facebook. “It is very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Burgess,” the statement read. “He was our first drummer and a highly respected musician. Happy memories, Rock in Peace, Colin.”

A cause of death was not initially given.

Born in Australia, Burgess worked with other members of AC/DC’s first lineup, including singers Dave Evans, Malcolm Young, Angus Young and Larry Van Kriedt. After joining the group in 1973, he left the following year. Phil Rudd became AC/DC’s most famous drummer in three separate stints with the band, which continued to tour into its sixth decade. Burgess later performed with AC/DC when Bon Scott was their lead singer.

Before AC/DC, Burgess was part of the Australian band The Masters Apprentices, who had a number of chart hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He founded the hard rock group His Majesty and later performed with the Australian group Dead Singers.

During his time with upstart AC/DC, Burgess was featured on the group’s debut single, “Can I Sit Next To You, Girl?” (Watch a video of this above.)

Later in his career, Burgess and his brother Denny gained attention for surviving a serious car accident on the way to an album release party. Both resumed their careers and were the subject of a documentary about their comeback, eventually appearing in the Burgess Brothers Band and later Burgess Burgess.

The Masters students were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 1998.