Former AC/DC Bassist Paul Matters Has Passed Away

Former AC/DC bass guitarist Paul Matters has died. His passing was announced online by close friend Rod Wescombe, who said that Paul had lived 'a reclusive life' since leaving the group.

The musician joined AC/DC following the release of High Voltage in 1975, replacing Larry Van Kriedt, but was himself replaced after a few weeks by Mark Evans. His death is described as being due to 'health issues related to a rock'n'roll lifestyle'.

Read this: How AC/DC's Back In Black changed rock music forever

Following his dismissal, Paul would play only a handful of occasional shows with friends in Australia, but is remembered by Rod as a guy who "could always make me laugh when he was in the mood".

It would take three years for AC/DC to stabilise following the numerous changes of their early years, with bassist Cliff Williams eventually remaining with the band for every album since Powerage, in 1978.

Bon Scott died in 1980, replaced by Brian Johnson. The band's first album with Brian, Back In Black, was dedicated to Bon and became one of the best-selling records of all time.

AC/DC release their 17th album, POWER UP, next month.

Read this: Every song on Highway To Hell ranked from worst to best