Welsh drummer Chris Slade, best known for two stints behind the kit for AC/DC, has announced his retirement after a professional career spanning roughly six decades.
Slade, who turns 80 in late October, shared the news in a video posted to social media on Saturday, August 22, citing lingering effects from a stroke he suffered about seven years ago that have increasingly limited his ability to perform.
“Hello, everybody. It’s with a heavy heart that I’m announcing my retirement from drumming,” Slade said in the message, as transcribed by Blabbermouth.
“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.”
He also thanked the members of his solo project, the Chris Slade Timeline, saying he plans to keep posting updates on the band’s Facebook page even in retirement.
Slade first joined AC/DC in 1989, playing on the band’s chart-topping 1990 album The Razor’s Edge before departing in 1994 when the group brought back former drummer Phil Rudd.
He returned to the band in 2015, stepping back in for Rudd during the Rock or Bust World Tour.
Beyond AC/DC, Slade built an extensive résumé working with Tom Jones, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Uriah Heep, David Gilmour, The Firm, Gary Moore and Asia over the course of his career.
