Phillip Rudd, drummer for Australian hard-rock band AC/DC (1975-1983, 1994-present) was born in Melbourne Australia on the 19th of May 1954.

Before AC/DC, Rudd played in many bands, the most prominent of which was Buster Brown with future Rose Tattoo frontman Angry Anderson. Rudd joined AC/DC in 1975 and fitted in great with the other band members very quickly. His unique rock-drumming style was used to great effect on all of AC/DC’s recordings between 1975 and 1983. AC/DC and its members relocated to the UK in 1976 for a period of heavy touring and also a heavy recording schedule.

The death of lead singer Bon Scott in 1980 hit Rudd hard, but he stayed with the band until he was fired during the recording of the Flick of the Switch Album in 1983. His sacking from the band was a result of his alcohol abuse problems and also because of increasing conflict with Malcolm Young, which eventually became physical. After leaving AC/DC, Rudd moved to New Zealand and bought a helicopter charter company.

Rudd kept a low profile until the other members of AC/DC called him when they were on a tour of New Zealand in 1994. They wanted Rudd to come and ‘jam’ with them. Rudd said yes, their jam session brought up memories of their previous chemistry as a band and eventually Rudd rejoined as drummer, replacing Chris Slade. He has since recorded the drum parts for Ballbreaker and Stiff Upper Lip.

The other band members never had any personal problem with Chris Slade on drums and even went as far as praising his technical ability, however they all maintained that there was something special about Rudd’s sound and something had been missing from the bands sound since Rudd’s departure in 1983.

Rudd mainly uses SONOR drums and Paiste cymbals.