Former AC/DC Drummer Chris Slade Retires at 79

Legendary rock drummer Chris Slade has announced his retirement from drumming at the age of 79. The Welsh-born percussionist shared the news in a video posted to the Facebook page for his solo band, The Chris Slade Timeline, citing his age and the lingering physical effects of a stroke he suffered seven years ago.

“Hello, everybody. It’s with a heavy heart that I’m announcing my retirement from drumming,” Slade said in his video message. “I’m near enough 80 years old. I’ve been drumming professionally since I was 16 with Tom Jones. I’ve had a good innings. And thank you all for coming to the shows.”

Health Struggles and the Decision to Step Away

Slade explained that while the stroke he suffered roughly seven years ago was small, its effects have worsened over time. He admitted frustration that he wouldn’t be able to emulate peers who continue performing into their 80s, noting that he is “really jealous of people like The Stones or Paul McCartney who are going well into their 80s.”

The retirement announcement follows a recent health scare last month when Slade and his band were forced to cancel an appearance at Italy’s Brudstock Festival after he suffered a severe fall. Describing the incident, Slade explained that he fell on a hard floor and badly hurt his ribs, making it impossible to lift his arms or even hold drumsticks. It marked the first time in 15 years of touring with The Chris Slade Timeline that he had ever been forced to cancel a show.

A Storied Career Across Rock and Pop

Slade’s professional career spans over six decades. He most famously powered AC/DC through the early 1990s, recording drums on their massive 1990 studio album The Razors Edge, alongside live releases like 1992’s Live at Donington and the standalone single “Big Gun” from 1993’s Last Action Hero.

Though replaced by returning drummer Phil Rudd in 1994, Slade later stepped back behind the kit for AC/DC during the 2015 Rock or Bust tour after Rudd ran into legal trouble. Beyond his tenure with AC/DC, Slade’s massive resume includes stints with David Gilmour—appearing on the 1984 concert film Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour—as well as work with Tom Jones on his 1965 debut LP Along Came Jones, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band throughout the 1970s, Uriah Heep, Asia, Gary Numan, Denny Laine, and Damage Control. In 2024, he released the debut album with The Chris Slade Timeline, titled Timescape.