Cliff Williams

In 1966, Williams moved to London,[4][5] where he worked at a demolition site and in supermarkets while playing in various short-lived bands.[3] He met guitarist Laurie Wisefield (later a member of Wishbone Ash) and the two became members of a band, Sugar, which soon broke up.[4][7][8] In 1970, Williams and Wisefield joined with singer Mick Stubbs, keyboardist Clive John, and drummer Mick Cook to form the progressive rock group Home.[4][7] The band signed a recording deal with Epic Records and issued their debut LP, Pause for a Hoarse Horse, in 1971.[8] Home was a supporting act for Jeff Beck, Mott the Hoople, The Faces and Led Zeppelin.[4]

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.[9] 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.[7][8] Williams briefly played with the American band Stars before forming Bandit in 1974.[3][7] 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.[7][9][10]

Williams performing with AC/DC in 2008

Williams performing with AC/DC in 1981

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.[11][12] 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.[7][13] Shortly after deciding to audition for the band, Williams saw AC/DC on Top of the Pops and was impressed,[5] describing them as "outrageous".[14]

For his audition, Williams played four jam sessions with the band,[14] 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.[15] As Williams was replacing an Australian musician, there were issues resulting in problems obtaining a work permit to enter the country.[16] His first performances with AC/DC were in Australia supporting the Let There Be Rock album,[4] with two secret gigs at Sydney's Lifesaver.[17] The album Powerage (1978), produced by Vanda & Young, marked Williams's studio debut.[7][13][18] Williams remained in AC/DC from that time onwards until 2016,[19][4][13] 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.[20] In addition to his role as bassist with AC/DC, Williams also contributed backing vocals.[4] He has said that his favourite albums with the band are Powerage and Back in Black.[21]

In 1984, Williams played bass and backing vocals on Adam Bomb's song "I Want My Heavy Metal", for the album Fatal Attraction.[22] 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.[23] 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.[21][24][25] In 2011, Williams played on a benefit concert organized by Mark Farner.[26][27] Williams said he also occasionally plays with a rhythm and blues band from Fort Myers called The Juice.[6]

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.[19] 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)".[28] On September 30, 2020, AC/DC officially confirmed that Williams, along with fellow band mates Brian Johnson and Phil Rudd, have rejoined the band.[29]