Cliff Williams

Cliff Williams
Cliff Williams
A fifty-eight year old man is singing into a microphone while playing a bass guitar. Behind him are stage lights and a partial view of a large steam train. His long white hair partly obscures his face. He wears a dark tee-shirt and darker pants.
Cliff Williams performing with AC/DC on 23 November 2008 in St. Paul, MN.
Background information
Birth name Clifford Williams
Born 14 December 1949 (1949-12-14) (age 61)
Origin Romford, Essex, England
Genres Hard rock, heavy metal, blues rock, rock and roll, progressive rock
Occupations Musician
Instruments Bass, backing vocals
Years active 1967–present
Labels Columbia
Associated acts Sugar, Home, Al Stewart Band, Stars, Bandit, Alexis Korner, AC/DC
Website acdc.com
Notable instruments
Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Precision Bass, Music Man Cliff Williams model

Clifford Williams (born 14 December 1949) is an English bassist and backing vocalist, who has been a member of the Australian hard rock band AC/DC since mid-1977. He had started his professional music career in 1967 and was previously in the British groups Home and Bandit. His first studio album with AC/DC was Powerage in 1978. The band, including Williams, was inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Williams's playing style is noted for basic bass lines which follow the rhythm guitar. Williams's side projects, while a member of AC/DC, include benefit concerts and playing with Emir & Frozen Camels on their album San (2002) and an European tour.

Contents

Biography

Early career

Cliff Williams was born on 14 December 1949 in Romford, Essex, on the outskirts of London.[1][2] The Williams family moved to Hoylake, near Liverpool, in 1961, where he was influenced by the local Merseybeat movement and decided to become a rock musician.[2][3] At the age of 13, he and some friends formed a band.[2] Williams has listed The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Kinks and blues musicians such as Bo Diddley as influences for his style. He mostly learned to play bass guitar by "listening to records and picking out notes", with formal training limited to some lessons from a professional Liverpool bassist.[4] Williams left school when he was 16 years old, becoming an engineer by day and musician by night.[3]

In 1967, Williams became a professional musician and moved back to London,[2][3] where he worked at a demolition site and in supermarkets, and played in short-lived bands.[1] Williams met guitarist Laurie Wisefield (later a member of Wishbone Ash), and the two became members of a band, Sugar, which soon broke up.[2][5][6]

In 1970, Williams and Wisefield joined with singer Mick Stubbs, keyboardist Clive John and drummer Mick Cook to form the progressive rock group Home.[2][5] The band signed a recording deal with Epic Records and issued their debut LP, Pause for a Hoarse Horse, in 1971.[6] Home was a supporting act for Jeff Beck, Mott the Hoople, The Faces and Led Zeppelin.[2] 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.[7] 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.[5][6]

Williams briefly played with the American band Stars before forming Bandit in 1974.[1][5] 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.[5][7][8]

AC/DC

Thirty-one year old Williams is at a microphone with teeth clenched, he strums his right hand on the bass while the left is out of view. His red-brown hair is over collar length. He wears a singlet and has a leather arm band.
Williams performing with AC/DC in 1981.

In 1977, Cliff Williams considered retiring from music when Bandit disbanded, but one of the group's guitarists, Jimmy Litherland, convinced him to audition for Australian heavy rockers AC/DC. They were looking for a bassist as Mark Evans had been fired shortly after recording the 1977 studio album Let There Be Rock.[9][10] 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.[5][11] Williams said shortly after being told about AC/DC's auditions, he saw the band on Top of the Pops and reacted positively,[3] describing them as "outrageous".[12]

For his audition, Williams played four jam sessions with the band,[12] and on May 27 1977, he was asked to join AC/DC. Angus declared it was partly motivated because he thought the bassist's good looks would attract more women to their concerts.[13] Given Williams was replacing an Australian musician, he initially had difficulties obtaining a work permit to enter the country.[14] His first performances with AC/DC were on the tour there supporting Let There Be Rock,[2] with two secret gigs at Sydney's Lifesaver.[15] The album Powerage (1978), produced by Vanda & Young, marked Williams's studio debut.[5][11][16] Williams has remained in AC/DC ever since,[2][11] 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.[17] The only members who have been longer with the band are the Young brothers.[18] Along with playing bass, Williams also sings backing vocals with Malcolm.[2] His favourite albums with the band are Powerage and Back in Black.[19]

Since Williams' introduction to the band, AC/DC has been inducted to the Australian Recording Industry Association's Hall of Fame (in 1988),[20] and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in 2003).[21] In 1982, Kerrang! readers voted him as Best Bassist of the year.[22]

Personal life

Cliff Williams's wife, Georganne, is a Colorado native. After they married in 1980, he moved permanently to the United States.[10] Initially the couple lived in Hawaii, but Williams found the islands too isolated and the school system lacking. In 1986, they moved to Fort Myers, Florida, following a suggestion from AC/DC bandmate Brian Johnson (Bon Scott's replacement), who lives nearby in Sarasota.[9] The couple have two children: Erin (born 1985) who is a model-actress under the name Erin Lucas,[23] and Luke (born 1986).[24] His hobbies include fishing[25] and amateur flying.[12]

Side projects

In 1984, Cliff Williams played bass and backing vocals on Adam Bomb's song "I Want My Heavy Metal", for the album Fatal Attraction.[26] 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.[27] 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.[19][28][29] In 2011, Williams played on a benefit concert organized by Mark Farner.[30][25] Williams said he also occasionally plays with a rhythm and blues band from Fort Meyers called The Juice.

Style

"It's not the 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."

 —Williams on his playing[12]

Cliff Williams' role in AC/DC is to provide a steady but basic bass lines which follow the rhythm guitar of Malcolm Young,[2] consisting mostly of eighth notes.[18] His bass lines are sometimes written by Malcolm and Angus Young during composition, and at other times Williams develops them based on the other instrumental tracks.[31] Williams said 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."[32] He added that "complex [bass] lines wouldn't add anything to a guitar-oriented band like ours, so I try to create a bottom layer that drives what our guys are doing on top."[12] Williams has no difficulty keeping his low profile within the band, declaring that "I don't have any problem doing this, because I enjoy playing simply. I never feel angry or prisoner."[31] His playing technique is mostly centered around downpicking, with 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".[12]

Equipment

Cliff Williams' trademark instrument is the StingRay and other bass guitars by Music Man, strung with D'Addario flatwounds in studio and roundwounds on stage.[33] Williams states that despite trying other basses over the years, he always goes back to Music Man's instruments, which he described as "a tremendous work force of a guitar".[3] Other basses used include the Fender Precision,[12] Fender Jazz,[34] and Steinberger.[35] Williams uses 3 Ampeg SVT-810E cabinets with 2 SVT-4PRO Heads. If there is any interference with the wireless systems he will use cables in his live performances.[33]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Sutcliffe 2010, p. 57.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Rivadavia.
  3. ^ a b c d e Fox, Gene; Fowler, Dave (2010-10-30). "Video Interview: Cliff Williams of AC/DC". Bass Frontiers Magazine. http://www.bassfrontiersmag.com/cliff-williams-acdc-video-interview. Retrieved 2011-09-11. 
  4. ^ Duclos, Michael (March 1995). "The High Voltage bass power of AC/DC's Cliff Williams". Guitar School. 
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Holmgren, Magnus. "AC/DC". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. http://hem.passagen.se/honga/database/a/acdc.html. Retrieved 2011-09-18. 
  6. ^ a b c "Band Member Profiles: Laurie Wisefield - Guitar/Vocals". Wishbone Ash Official Website. http://www.wishboneash.co.uk/history/6_5.aspx. Retrieved 2011-09-11. 
  7. ^ a b Sutcliffe 2010, p. 213.
  8. ^ "Alexis Korner "The Lost Album"". AlexisKorner.net. http://alexis-korner.net/lost.html. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  9. ^ a b "Conversation: "It’s Like Razor Blades Out There"". Gulf Shore Magazine. April 2007. http://www.gulfshorelife.com/ARTICLES/Past-Issues/2007/April-2007/Conversation.aspx. 
  10. ^ a b Billson, Marky (2008-08-29). "Let There Be Rock: AC/DC @ the 'Dillo". Austin Chronicle. http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2008-08-29/666442/. Retrieved 2011-09-11. 
  11. ^ a b c McFarlane, Ian. "Encyclopedia entry for 'AC/DC'". Whammo.com.au. Archived from the original on 2004-08-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20040806010608/www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=9. Retrieved 2011-11-13. 
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Scott M (May 1996). "Cliff Williams of AC/DC: Let There Be Bass". Bass Player (Miller Freeman). 
  13. ^ Masino 2009, p. 74.
  14. ^ Sutcliffe 2010, p. 69.
  15. ^ Kimball, Duncan (2002). "AC/DC". Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975. Ice Productions. http://www.milesago.com/artists/acdc.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-18. 
  16. ^ Janssen, Volker (August/September 1998). "Interview with Mark Eans". Daily Dirt. http://www.buoy.com/~bonfire/interviews.htm#MARK. Retrieved 2011-02-19. 
  17. ^ Masino 2009, p. 178.
  18. ^ a b (2003) Album notes for Powerage by AC/DC [CD]. Epic Records.
  19. ^ a b "Interview: Cliff Williams—Classic Rock Cares". RockMusicStar.com. 2009-10-04. http://www.rockmusicstar.com/acdc/. Retrieved 2011-09-11. 
  20. ^ "ARIA Icons: Hall of Fame". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/hall-of-fame.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-02. 
  21. ^ "Inductees: AC/DC". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. http://rockhall.com/inductees/ac-dc/. Retrieved 2011-09-11. 
  22. ^ Sutcliffe 2010, p. 122.
  23. ^ Wieselman, Jarett (2009-09-24). "Pulling Back The Curtain on 'The City's' Erin". New York Post. http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/archives/2009/01/erin_the_city.html. 
  24. ^ "Scene & Heard". Gulf Shore Magazine. May 2007. https://gulfshorelife.com/ARTICLES/Past-Issues/2011/May-2011/Scene---Heard.aspx. 
  25. ^ a b "AC/DC Talks Tour Success In 2010, Plans For 2011". Artisan News Service. 2011-01-20. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETt_FlFJhnQ. Retrieved 2011-11-15. 
  26. ^ "Adam Bomb". Jimmy Crespo. http://www.jimmycrespo.com/adambomb.html. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  27. ^ "Bio". Emir & Frozen Camels. http://www.emir-frozencamels.com/. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  28. ^ "Classic Rock Cares". The John Entwistle Foundation. http://www.johnentwistle.org/crc/crc.html. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  29. ^ "SteveLuongoArt.com / Bio". SteveLuongoArt.com. http://www.steveluongoart.com/bio.html. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  30. ^ "Roger Daltrey and Mark Farner Rock for Jesse". MarkFarner.com. 2011-01-11. http://www.markfarner.com/popup.php?module_id=4&record_id=147. Retrieved 2011-09-11. 
  31. ^ a b "Cliff Williams: The Cool Power". Hard Rock Mag. December 1996. 
  32. ^ Fricke, David (2008-11-13). "AC/DC and the Gospel of Rock & Roll". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. Archived from the original on 2009-05-05. http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20090505231757/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/acdc_and_the_gospel_of_rock/page/3. Retrieved 2011-03-18. 
  33. ^ a b St. James, Adam. "High Voltage: AC/DC’s High Powered Rig". Guitar.com. Archived from the original on 2000-09-11. http://acdcwillie.tripod.com/interview5c.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-11. 
  34. ^ Voccia, Bill. "AC/DC Info Base". Highway to Hell. http://www.buoy.com/~bonfire/info.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-11. 
  35. ^ "Hard Rock Memorabilia: Cliff Williams – AC/DC – Steinberger bass" (Microsoft Silverlight). Hard Rock Cafe. http://memorabilia.hardrock.com/?item=038528. Retrieved 2011-09-11. 

References

External links


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