As you are probably aware, AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd appears to have lost his goddamn mind. And even if he hasn’t, it’s kind of a moot point, because he’s currently not allowed to leave New Zealand due to his current legal woes, and AC/DC have a new album to promote. Point being: one way or the other, everyone expects AC/DC to get a new drummer.

Unsurprisingly, it’s looking like that new drummer may be their old drummer: Mr. Clean lookalike Chris Slade, who previously replaced Simon Wright in 1989 after Wright replaced Rudd in 1983. Slade appeared on AC/DC’s 1990 album The Razor’s Edge (a.k.a. “The one with ‘Thunderstruck’ on it.”) before Rudd finally re-joined the group in 1994.

The source of the rumor? Slade’s recent cancellation of an appearance at a California optometrist’s office. I’m not being snide:

Dr. Liu then added, “theres [sic] actually big news regarding Slade and his career coming in next several days which is why he had to reschedule this event.” So, of course, everyone’s brains went right to AC/DC.

Nothing really says “I’m available for work!” like doing a meet and greet at an eye doctor’s office, so negotiations to get Slade back into the band were probably brief. I mean, what’s Slade gonna say, “Meet my demands or I’m gonna go do a national Lens Crafters tour instead”?

We’ll let you know as soon as this rumor is not a rumor anymore.

[via Classic Rock]