Colin Burgess (musician)

Colin Burgess (born November 16, 1946, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; died December 16, 2023) was an Australian rock drummer, best known as the original drummer for the iconic Australian rock band, AC/DC.

Burgess joined AC/DC in November 1973, replacing Peter Clack. He participated in the recording of the band's debut album, High Voltage, released in 1975, although his contributions were ultimately re-recorded by session drummer Tony Currenti for the album's international release. He also played on early singles such as "Can I Sit Next to You, Girl".

Burgess' tenure with AC/DC was relatively brief. He was dismissed from the band in February 1975. The circumstances surrounding his departure are disputed, with some accounts citing inconsistent performance due to alleged intoxication, while others suggest a misunderstanding involving his late arrival to a performance.

Prior to AC/DC, Burgess was a member of the Australian rock band The Masters Apprentices from 1968 to 1972. He contributed to several of their successful albums and singles, making him a well-known figure in the Australian music scene before joining AC/DC.

After leaving AC/DC, Burgess continued to be involved in music, though he maintained a lower profile. Details of his post-AC/DC musical activities are less readily available. He remained a significant figure in the history of Australian rock music due to his contributions to both The Masters Apprentices and AC/DC.

Burgess’ passing in December 2023 was widely reported and acknowledged by many figures in the rock music community.