AC/DC's fortunes have taken a turn for the worse in recent years, losing drummer Phil Rudd after he was arrested in 2014, Malcolm Young to retirement due to his dementia diagnosis, and frontman Brian Johnson's retirement from playing live due to his hearing issues.

Although Axl Rose has gallantly stepped into the breach to replace Johnson in recent months, it looks like the legendary rockers are about to lose yet another long-time member.

Bassist Cliff Williams - who has been with the band since 1977 - has said that he will be 'backing off touring and recording' after the band are finished their current tour, which winds up in the US in September.

He told Gulfshore Life that he felt that his time with the band was coming to an end due to the recent changes in the line-up. ""It's been what I've known for the past 40 years, but after this tour I'm backing off of touring and recording," he said. "Losing Malcolm, the thing with Phil and now with Brian, it's a changed animal. I feel in my gut it's the right thing."

If Williams makes good on his claim, it will mean that guitarist Angus Young will be the only remaining member of the band that dates back to their early days in the 1970s.