Cliff Williams#Personal life

Clifford Williams was born on 14 December 1949 in Romford, Essex.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2010|p=57}}{{sfn|Rivadavia}} In 1961, he moved with his family to Hoylake, Merseyside, where he was influenced by the local Merseybeat movement and decided to become a musician.{{sfn|Rivadavia}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bassfrontiersmag.com/cliff-williams-acdc-video-interview|author1=Fox, Gene|author2=Fowler, Dave|title=Video Interview: Cliff Williams of AC/DC|work=Bass Frontiers Magazine|date=30 October 2010|access-date=11 September 2011|archive-date=27 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827134540/http://www.bassfrontiersmag.com/cliff-williams-acdc-video-interview|url-status=dead}} At the age of 13, he and some friends formed a band.{{sfn|Rivadavia}} He listed The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, and blues musicians such as Bo Diddley as influences, and mostly learned to play bass by "listening to records and picking out notes", with his formal training limited to some lessons from a professional bassist in nearby Liverpool.{{cite journal|title=The High Voltage bass power of AC/DC's Cliff Williams |journal=Guitar School|first=Michael|last=Duclos|date=March 1995}} He left school when he was 16 years old, working as an engineer by day and musician by night.

{{Main article|Home (UK band)|Bandit (band)}}

In 1966, Williams moved to London,{{sfn|Rivadavia}} where he worked at a demolition site and in supermarkets while playing in various short-lived bands.{{Sfn|Sutcliffe|2010|p=57}} He met guitarist Laurie Wisefield (later a member of Wishbone Ash) and the two became members of a band, Sugar, which soon broke up.{{sfn|Rivadavia}}{{Cite web | url = http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/a/acdc.html | work = Australian Rock Database | title = AC/DC | publisher = Magnus Holmgren | last1 = Holmgren | first1 = Magnus | access-date = 18 September 2011 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120402234502/http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/a/acdc.html | archive-date = 2 April 2012 | df = dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.wishboneash.co.uk/history/6_5.aspx|title=Band Member Profiles: Laurie Wisefield – Guitar/Vocals|publisher=Wishbone Ash Official Website|access-date=11 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929152400/http://www.wishboneash.co.uk/history/6_5.aspx|archive-date=29 September 2011}} In 1970, Williams and Wisefield joined with singer Mick Stubbs, keyboardist Clive John, and drummer Mick Cook to form the progressive rock group Home.{{sfn|Rivadavia}} The band signed a recording deal with Epic Records and issued their debut LP, Pause for a Hoarse Horse, in 1971. Home was a supporting act for Jeff Beck, Mott the Hoople, The Faces and Led Zeppelin.{{sfn|Rivadavia}}

In 1972, Jim Anderson replaced John on keyboards and Home released a self-titled album, featuring their only hit single, "Dreamer", which peaked at No. 41 in the UK album charts.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2010|p=213}} Their next album, The Alchemist, followed in 1973, but did not gain chart success. When British folk singer-songwriter Al Stewart suggested that Home back him on his first American tour in March 1974, Mick Stubbs left the group. The rest of the members became the Al Stewart Band, but split up after the tour. Williams briefly played with the American band Stars before forming Bandit in 1974.{{Sfn|Sutcliffe|2010|p=57}} Bandit's line-up included vocalist Jim Diamond and drummer Graham Broad (later in Bucks Fizz and Roger Waters's band). The group signed with Arista Records and released a self-titled album in 1977. Bandit also performed as Alexis Korner's backing band on 1977's The Lost Album before disbanding later that year.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2010|p=213}}{{cite web|url=http://alexis-korner.net/lost.html|title=Alexis Korner 'The Lost Album'|work=AlexisKorner.net|access-date=20 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704084120/http://alexis-korner.net/lost.html|archive-date=4 July 2011}}

{{Main article|AC/DC}}

File:CliffWilliams.JPG in 2008]]

Image:Cliffwilliams.jpg

Williams considered retiring from music following Bandit's breakup, but one of the group's guitarists, Jimmy Litherland, convinced him to audition for the Australian group AC/DC, who were looking for a bassist after firing Mark Evans shortly after recording their 1977 studio album Let There Be Rock.{{cite journal|url=http://www.gulfshorelife.com/ARTICLES/Past-Issues/2007/April-2007/Conversation.aspx|title=Conversation: "It's Like Razor Blades Out There"|journal=Gulf Shore Magazine|date=April 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711133419/http://www.gulfshorelife.com/ARTICLES/Past-Issues/2007/April-2007/Conversation.aspx|archive-date=11 July 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2008-08-29/666442/|title=Let There Be Rock: AC/DC @ the 'Dillo|first=Marky|last=Billson|work=Austin Chronicle|date=29 August 2008|access-date=11 September 2011}} AC/DC had formed in Australia in 1973 and by mid-1977 the line-up was Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar and backing vocals alongside his brother Angus Young on lead guitar, Phil Rudd on drums and Bon Scott on vocals.{{Cite web|first=Ian|last=McFarlane|url=http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=9|title=Encyclopedia entry for 'AC/DC'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040806010608/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=9|archive-date=6 August 2004|work=Whammo.com.au|access-date=13 November 2011}} Shortly after deciding to audition for the band, Williams saw AC/DC on Top of the Pops and was impressed, describing them as "outrageous".

For his audition, Williams played four jam sessions with the band,{{cite journal|title=Cliff Williams of AC/DC: Let There Be Bass|journal=Bass Player|date=May 1996|publisher=Miller Freeman|author=Scott M}} and on 27 May 1977 was officially asked to join AC/DC. Angus declared the decision was partially motivated by the bassist's good looks, which the band hoped would attract more women to their concerts.{{sfn|Masino|2009|p=74}} As Williams was replacing an Australian musician, there were issues resulting in problems obtaining a work permit to enter the country.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2010|p=69}} His first performances with AC/DC were in Australia supporting the Let There Be Rock album,{{sfn|Rivadavia}} with two secret gigs at Sydney's Lifesaver.{{Cite web | url = http://www.milesago.com/artists/acdc.htm | title = AC/DC | work = Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975 | last1 = Kimball | first1 = Duncan | publisher = Ice Productions | year = 2002 | access-date = 18 September 2011 }} The album Powerage (1978), produced by Vanda & Young, marked Williams's studio debut.{{Cite web|url=http://www.buoy.com/~bonfire/interviews.htm#MARK |title=Interview with Mark Eans |work=Daily Dirt |author=Janssen, Volker |date=August–September 1998 |access-date=19 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105085348/http://www.buoy.com/~bonfire/interviews.htm |archive-date=5 January 2011 }} Williams remained in AC/DC from that time onwards until 2016,{{cite web|url=http://www.gulfshorelife.com/July-2016/Still-Rockin-in-Southwest-Florida-ACDC-Cliff-Williams-Brian-Howe-Steve-Luongo/|title=Still Rockin' in Southwest Florida|work=Gulfshore Life|first=Jonathan|last=Foerste|access-date=8 July 2016|date=July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612011918/http://www.gulfshorelife.com/July-2016/Still-Rockin-in-Southwest-Florida-ACDC-Cliff-Williams-Brian-Howe-Steve-Luongo/|archive-date=12 June 2017|url-status=dead}}{{sfn|Rivadavia}} with only a temporary departure in 1991 as he suffered a kidney infection, during which Paul Greg had to play bass for some North American concerts in the Razors Edge World Tour.{{sfn|Masino|2009|p=178}} In addition to his role as bassist with AC/DC, Williams also contributed backing vocals.{{sfn|Rivadavia}} He has said that his favourite albums with the band are Powerage and Back in Black.{{cite web|url=http://www.rockmusicstar.com/acdc/|title=Interview: Cliff Williams—Classic Rock Cares|date=4 October 2009|last=Orwat Jr.|first=Thomas S.|access-date=11 September 2011|work=RockMusicStar.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421110146/http://www.rockmusicstar.com/acdc/|archive-date=21 April 2012|url-status=dead}} On 7 July 2016, Williams announced his plans to retire from the music industry following AC/DC's Rock or Bust World Tour. He cited his opinion that AC/DC was now "a changed animal" with the recent departures of several core band members; Malcolm Young could no longer contribute due to dementia, Phil Rudd could not tour due to being under house arrest, and Brian Johnson was forced into retirement due to hearing problems. In September 2016, during his last performance with AC/DC at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Williams was brought to the front of the stage by Angus Young to take a bow in the middle of "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)".{{cite magazine |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-acdcs-salute-to-cliff-williams-at-final-show-w441338 |title= Watch AC/DC Salute Cliff Williams at Bassist's Final Show |magazine= Rolling Stone |first= Daniel |last= Kreps |date= 21 September 2016 |access-date= 18 November 2017}} On September 30, 2020, AC/DC officially confirmed that Williams, along with fellow band mates Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd, have rejoined the band.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ac-dc-confirm-comeback-and-return-of-brian-johnson-phil-rudd-cliff-williams-2765684|title=AC/DC confirm comeback and return of Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams|last=Moore|publisher=NME|date=30 September 2020|access-date=30 September 2020}} Though he performed with the band at the Power Trip Festival in October 2023, Williams is not currently touring with AC/DC on their Power Up Tour, with Chris Chaney performing in his place.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

In 1984, Williams played bass and backing vocals on Adam Bomb's song "I Want My Heavy Metal", for the album Fatal Attraction.{{cite web|url=http://www.jimmycrespo.com/adambomb.html|title=Adam Bomb|publisher=Jimmy Crespo|access-date=20 March 2011}} During AC/DC's hiatus in the 2000s, Williams joined Bosnian musician Emir Bukovica's band Emir & Frozen Camels. The group recorded the album San in 2002 and played in some European clubs.{{cite web|url=http://www.emir-frozencamels.com/|title=Bio|publisher=Emir & Frozen Camels|access-date=20 March 2011}} In 2005, Williams and AC/DC singer Johnson played in a hurricane relief event in Florida, promoted by the John Entwistle Foundation. There Williams met drummer Steve Luongo, president of the foundation and former member of the John Entwistle band. Luongo later brought Williams, Johnson, and guitarist Mark Hitt for the Classic Rock Cares charity project. The quartet composed and recorded ten tracks in the studio in 2007, and followed that with a tour to raise funds for the foundation.{{cite web|url=http://www.johnentwistle.org/crc/crc.html|title=Classic Rock Cares|publisher=The John Entwistle Foundation|access-date=20 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914142428/http://www.johnentwistle.org/crc/crc.html|archive-date=14 September 2011}}{{cite web |url= http://www.steveluongoart.com/bio.html |title= SteveLuongoArt.com / Bio |work= SteveLuongoArt.com |access-date= 20 March 2011 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120910133609/http://www.steveluongoart.com/bio.html |archive-date= 10 September 2012 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }} In 2011, Williams played on a benefit concert organized by Mark Farner.{{cite web |url= http://www.markfarner.com/popup.php?module_id=4&record_id=147 |title= Roger Daltrey and Mark Farner Rock for Jesse |work= MarkFarner.com |date= 11 January 2011 |access-date= 11 September 2011 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120908205929/http://www.markfarner.com/popup.php?module_id=4&record_id=147 |archive-date= 8 September 2012 |df= dmy-all }} Williams said he also occasionally plays with a rhythm and blues band from Fort Myers called The Juice.

Since Williams' introduction to the band, AC/DC has been inducted to the Australian Recording Industry Association's Hall of Fame (in 1988),{{cite web|title=ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame |work=Australian Recording Industry Association |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/hall-of-fame.htm |access-date=2 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126120725/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/hall-of-fame.htm |archive-date=26 November 2009 }} and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in 2003).{{cite web|url=http://rockhall.com/inductees/ac-dc/|title=Inductees: AC/DC|publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|access-date=11 September 2011}} In 1982, Williams was chosen as "Bassist of the Year" in a vote conducted by Kerrang! magazine.{{sfn|Sutcliffe|2010|p=122}}

Williams married his American wife Georganne in 1980. They have two children: model and actress Erin Lucas (born 1984){{cite news | url= http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/archives/2009/01/erin_the_city.html | work= New York Post | title= Pulling Back The Curtain on 'The City's' Erin | first= Jarett | last= Wieselman | date= 24 September 2009 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090124000330/http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/archives/2009/01/erin_the_city.html | archive-date= 24 January 2009 | df= dmy-all }} and Luke (born 1986).{{cite journal |url= https://gulfshorelife.com/ARTICLES/Past-Issues/2011/May%202011/Scene---Heard.aspx |title= Scene & Heard |journal= Gulf Shore Magazine |date= May 2007 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The couple initially settled in Hawaii, but this left them feeling too isolated, and they found the school system to be lacking.{{fact|date=January 2024}} In 1986, they moved to Fort Myers, Florida, at the suggestion of AC/DC bandmate and nearby resident Brian Johnson. Williams also spends time in the French city of Aix-en-Provence, where he has distant relatives. Williams' hobbies include fishing,{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETt_FlFJhnQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/ETt_FlFJhnQ| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title= AC/DC Talks Tour Success in 2010, Plans for 2011 |publisher= Artisan News Service |date=20 January 2011 |access-date= 15 November 2011}}{{cbignore}} flying, and wine.Katherine Cole, [http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2013/02/question-and-answer-cliff-williams-ac-dc-wine Q&A: Cliff Williams, AC/DC], wine-searcher.com, 27 February 2013

Williams' role in AC/DC was to provide steady but basic basslines which followed the rhythm guitar of Malcolm Young,{{sfn|Rivadavia}} consisting mostly of eighth notes.{{cite AV media notes |title= Powerage |others=AC/DC |publisher= Epic Records |type=CD |year=2003 |author= Welch, Ernie}} His basslines were sometimes written by Malcolm and Angus Young during composition, and at other times Williams developed them based on the other instrumental tracks.{{cite journal |title= Cliff Williams: The Cool Power |journal= Hard Rock Mag |date= December 1996}} Williams has said of his playing, "It's not the [bass] line that counts. It is the feel. My favorite AC/DC tune to play is 'Down Payment Blues', because it's so simple. I play four notes throughout the song, but I get off on the whole thing—not me noodlin' away." He also said that he plays "the same thing in every song, for the most part [...] in AC/DC's music, the song is more important than any individual's bit in it".{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505231757/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/acdc_and_the_gospel_of_rock/page/3 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/acdc_and_the_gospel_of_rock/page/3 |archive-date=5 May 2009 |title=AC/DC and the Gospel of Rock & Roll |author=Fricke, David |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=13 November 2008 |publisher=Wenner Media LLC |access-date=18 March 2011 |author-link=David Fricke |url-status=dead }} He added that "complex [bass] lines wouldn't add anything to a guitar-oriented band like [AC/DC], so [he tries] to create a bottom layer that drives what [AC/DC's] guys are doing on top". Williams had no difficulty keeping his low profile within the band, declaring, "I don't have any problem doing this, because I enjoy playing simply. I never feel angry or prisoner." Nevertheless, he very occasionally employs more melodic lines and passing notes on some songs, such as "Satellite Blues". His playing technique is mostly centred around downpicking, with the occasional use of plucking to mute the strings, which he says "adds more definition and tightens up the notes, and it gives the sound less sustain".

In his first appearance in 1977, he used a Gibson Ripper only for the "Let There Be Rock" music video. Williams' trademark instrument is the StingRay and other basses by Music Man, strung with Ernie Ball (.045, .065, .085, .105) flatwounds in the studio and D'Addario roundwound XLs in the same gauge in concert.{{cite web | url=https://acdcwillie.tripod.com/interview5c.htm | title=High Voltage }}{{Cite web |url= http://guitar.com/cda/ColumnCorner/article_display.aspx?sPath=8182000075fa000000010000794600000481&sSection=TL |title= High Voltage: AC/DC's High Powered Rig |last= St. James |first=Adam |work=Guitar.com |access-date= 11 September 2011}}{{dead link|date=May 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [http://acdcwillie.tripod.com/interview5c.htm Alt URL] In October 2020, Ernie Ball Music Man announced that they are releasing a [https://instaofbass.com/new-ac-dc-tour-new-cliff-williams-signature-bass/ Cliff Williams Signature Bass] which will be a genuine replica of his 1979 Music Man StingRay bass. Williams states that despite trying other basses over the years, he always went back to Music Man's instruments, which he described as "a tremendous work horse of a bass". Other basses used include the Fender Precision Bass, a Gibson Thunderbird non-reverse, Fender Jazz Bass,{{cite web|url=http://www.buoy.com/~bonfire/info.htm |first=Bill |last=Voccia |work=Highway to Hell |title=AC/DC Info Base |access-date=11 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105075810/http://www.buoy.com/~bonfire/info.htm |archive-date=5 January 2011 }} the Steinberger L-series,{{cite web |url= http://memorabilia.hardrock.com/?item=038528 |title= Hard Rock Memorabilia: Cliff Williams – AC/DC – Steinberger bass |publisher= Hard Rock Cafe |format=Microsoft Silverlight |access-date= 11 September 2011}} a Gibson EB-3 and at least two LAG Custom basses. Williams used 3 Ampeg SVT-810E cabinets with 2 SVT-4PRO Heads, but if there was any interference with the wireless systems, he used cables in his live performances.

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{cite book|title=Let There Be Rock: The Story of AC/DC|first=Susan|last=Masino|publisher=Omnibus Press|year=2009|isbn=978-0-8256-3701-8}}
• {{cite web|url={{Allmusic |pure_url=yes |class=artist |id=p138299 |tab=biography}} |title=Cliff Williams |first=Eduardo |last=Rivadavia|access-date=11 September 2011|publisher=Allmusic. Rovi Corporation}}
• {{cite book|title=AC/DC: High-Voltage Rock 'n' Roll: The Ultimate Illustrated History|first=Phil|last=Sutcliffe|publisher=Voyageur Press|location=Minneapolis, MN|year=2010|isbn=978-0-7603-3832-2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/acdchighvoltager0000sutc}}

• [http://www.acdc.com/ AC/DC's new official website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20010405204230/http://www.accadacca.net/index.html AC/DC profile page by Albert Music]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060828050900/http://www.atlanticrecords.com/acdc/ AC/DC profile page by Atlantic Records]

{{AC/DC}}

{{2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

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