Drummer Simon Wright Addresses Why He Left AC/DC

Drummer Simon Wright Addresses Why He Left AC/DC
Photo credits: Ac-dcfreak785, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons; Weatherman90 at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Veteran drummer Simon Wright manned the throne for AC/DC from 1983 to 1989 appearing on the band’s “Fly On The Wall,” “Who Made Who” and “Blow Up Your Video” albums. He replaced classic drummer Phil Rudd for 1983’s “Flick Of The Switch” world tour. In a recent interview with VW Music, Wright explained why he left the band to join Dio. “I just wanted to play more,” Wright said. “It’s a kind of a regimented style of playing with them. I found myself playing more when I was at home. I had a kid at home, and I’m just banging away to anything, and it really started to eat me. I mean, I knew I could … I’m not saying I could play better. I just wanted to play more.”

AC/DC’s music doesn’t lend itself to the style Wright often employed during his years with Dio. “I wanted more fills, so it started to eat away at me,” he admitted. “I love drumming, and it wasn’t the money or anything like that, I was doing okay with the money. I didn’t care about the money. I just needed to get away. So, I managed to jump off the ship.” Wright said there were no hard feelings upon his exit. “It was a creative thing,” the drummer explained of his decision. “With AC/DC, it was restricted,” Wright said. “I have total respect for Phil (Rudd), and the band, and everything they do. It’s got nothing to do with the music side of it. It’s just me personally. It sounds crazy, but, I just needed to get away, and do something else.”

Wright had been a longtime fan of Dio, Rainbow and Black Sabbath before teaming up with the legendary singer for his 1990 “Lock Up The Wolves” album. “Ever since I heard his voice, I thought, ‘Oh my god, what a singer, and songwriter as well,’ ” Wright said. Years later, he’d rejoin the group, playing on the albums Magica (2000), Killing the Dragon (2002) and Master of the Moon (2004).

B.J. LISKO
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