AC/DC’s first drummer, Colin Burgess, has died. He was 77 years old.
The legendary rock band announced his death on social media on Saturday, writing: “Very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Burgess. He was our first drummer and a highly respected musician.”
“Happy memories, rock in peace Colin,” the message concluded.
The group did not share further details and did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Thousands of fans mourned the rocker in the comments on the band’s post, sharing heartfelt messages thanking him for his contribution to the Australian rock group.
“Rest in power, Colin Burgess. Your thunderous beats paved the way for generations of rockers to come,” one fan commented. “You will always be remembered as the heartbeat of AC/DC’s early years.”
Another credited him with being “part of a generation of great musicians who started the music industry in Australia.”
AC/DC was first formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973, and Burgess was part of its original line-up along with brothers Malcolm Young and Angus Young, bassist Larry Van Kriedt and singer Dave Evans, per. DRUM! Magazine.
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According to BoardBurgess was kicked out of the band for alleged drunken behavior on stage in 1974. His dismissal came just four months after he joined – and two years before the group released their debut album, High voltageto an international audience.
Burgess did, however, drum on the band’s debut single “Can I Sit Next to You, Girl” by Board. (The song was re-recorded for the band’s second album TNT without Burgess.)
After his dismissal, the late drummer was replaced by Phil Rudd, but he reunited with the group to play several concerts in 1975 after Rudd suffered an arm injury, per Board.
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Before starting with rockers Thunderstruck, Burgess drummed for another Australian band, The Masters Apprentices, who charted with several hits in the 1960s and early 1970s, per Deadline.
After his time in AC/DC, Burgess played drums in several bands, including His Majesty, Good Time Charlie and the Dead Singer Band, per Board.
Although not one of AC/DC’s members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Rudd, Angus, Bon Scott, Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams), Burgess was inducted into the Australian Music Industry Association’s Hall of Fame for his contributions to Apprentice Masters, per Board.
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