In July, longtime AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams announced he would be hanging up his leads and departing from the powerhouse rock group. Now, in a video update from the band’s Rock Or Bust tour, Williams opens up about the reasons behind his decision to tap out.
Putting it plain and simply, Williams explains, “It’s time for me to step out. That’s all.” He says that it wasn’t because of the band’s recent lineup changes, though he does admit they did, and always have, taken their toll.
“Not because we’ve lost Mal[colm Young], Phil [Rudd] or Brian [Johnson]… Everything changes when something like that happens. When Bon [Scott] died, everything changed then,” he says.
Williams adds that he’s simply ready to give up the touring life and return to what he does, “In between tours when we take a few years off.
“I know what I’m gonna do and again it’s just my time. I’m happy, I just need some family time now, just chill out and not do this.”
Despite the hectic work load, the long tours and the reoccurring band drama, Williams looks back on his time with the band fondly. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he says, clearly emotional.
Watch his video message to fans, below.
Watch: ‘A Message From Cliff’
