AC/DC brought in Welsh drummer Bob Richards to stand-in for the absent Phil Rudd when they filmed videos in London in early October for the band’s latest album, “Rock Or Bust.”
The sessions at Black Island Studios in Middlesex saw the group film the lead single, “Play Ball”, on their own on October 3 before being joined the next day by about 500 fans from around the globe for the title track.
Richards explains how he became involved in the video shoot.
"I received a call on the Thursday evening asking if I could step in as Phil was unavailable, so I filled in at the last minute," Richards tells Rhythm magazine. "It was all hands on deck. I got my kit sorted out and then an early start to London."
"I heard the songs an hour or so before we went on to the set to start the filming. I played it over several times and did a bit of air drumming to it.”
"The band were fantastic,” he continues. “They made me so welcome and we had a great time shooting the videos. They were very encouraging. I could just enjoy the experience.”
Singer Brian Johnson capped the 2-day session off with a personal touch.
"Brian invited myself and some of the crew out for a few drinks in the evening,” says Richards. “He's a great host."
Rudd missed the London shoot just weeks before his November 6 arrest on multiple charges by New Zealand police – including possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill.
Rudd’s trial on multiple charges will begin April 21.
AC/DC brought in former member Chris Slade to replace Rudd for the band’s Rock Or Bust world tour; he made his return to the lineup when the group opened the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 1.
The band will launch their 2015 live dates when they headline the 2015 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on Friday April 10 and Friday April 17; the band will then kick off a European tour May 5 in Arnhem, Netherlands.
AC/DC will kick off a late summer/early fall tour of North America August 22 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
See also:
AC/DC tops the hennemusic Hot 10
AC/DC announce North American tour
AC/DC film new video in Los Angeles
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd trial date set
Search AC/DC at hennemusic
