Here are some interesting facts about Cliff Williams, best known as the bassist of "AC/DC":
(Photo: Gary Miller)
= He was born on December 14, 1949, in Romford, Essex, England, and raised in Liverpool.
= He moved with his family to Hoylake, Merseyside, in 1961, where he was influenced by the local Merseybeat scene.
= He started playing bass as a teenager, by listening to records and picking out notes.
= At a young age he was influenced by bands like "The Shadows" and "The Beatles", "The Rolling Stones", "The Who", "The Kinks", and Bo Diddley.
= He formed a band at the age of 13 with friends.
= In 1966, Williams moved to London where he worked at a demolition site and in supermarkets while playing in various short-lived bands.
= He met guitarist Laurie Wisefield (later "Wishbone Ash") and the formed the short lived band "Sugar".
= In 1970, Williams and Wisefield joined with singer Mick Stubbs, keyboardist Clive John, and drummer Mick Cook to form the progressive rock group "Home", which supported artists like Jeff Beck, "Mott the Hoople", "The Faces" and "Led Zeppelin".
= "Home", issued their debut LP, "Pause for a Hoarse Horse", in 1971.
= In 1972 "Home" released a self-titled album, featuring their only hit single, "Dreamer".
= "Home" next album, "The Alchemist", followed in 1973.
= In 1974 the band became the Al Stewart Band on his first American tour, but split up after the tour.
= Williams briefly played with the American band "Stars" before forming "Bandit" in 1974.
= The band recorded one self-titled album which was released in 1977.
= "Bandit" also performed as Alexis Korner's backing band on 1977's The Lost Album before disbanding.
= Williams auditioned for "AC/DC" in 1977, replacing bassist Mark Evans after the "Let There Be Rock" album.
= His debut "AC/DC" album was "Powerage" released in 1978.
= His first "AC/DC" tour was the 1978 "Powerage tour", establishing his role as a live performer.
= Williams played on the iconic album "Highway To Hell" from 1979, which became a breakthrough for "AC/DC".
= In 1980 he contributed to "Back In Black", "AC/DC’s" best-selling album, following Bon Scott’s death.
= He became known for his tight, minimalist bass playing, perfectly complementing "AC/DC’s" sound.
= In addition to his bass playing Williams sings backing vocals for the band.
= In 1982, Williams was chosen as "Bassist of the Year" in a vote conducted by "Kerrang!" magazine.
= Williams continued recording with "AC/DC" on albums like "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" from 1981 and "Flick Of The Switch" released 1983 "Fly On The Wall" from 1985, "Blow Up Your Video" from 1988, "The Razors Edge" from 1990, "Ballbreaker" released in 1995 and "Stiff Upper Lip" from 2000, maintaining the band’s signature sound.
= He was inducted into the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" with "AC/DC" in 2003.
= Williams contributed to "AC/DC’s "album "Black Ice" released in 2008, but announced retirement after the completion of the "Rock or Bust" tour in 2016.
= Williams returned to "AC/DC" in 2020 to record "Power Up", marking a reunion of the classic lineup (minus Malcolm Young), rejoined the band for live performances following the release of the album.
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