The Australian music industry has lost one of the modern era’s founding fathers with the death of original AC/DC drummer Colin Burgess at the age of 77.

“Very sad to hear of the passing of Colin Burgess,” says an unsigned post on the band’s official Facebook page late Friday.

“He was our first drummer and a very respected musician. Happy memories, rock in peace Colin.”

No cause of death was given.

Burgess first hit the limelight as a member of the Sixties’ chart-topping Masters Apprentices before being recruited in 1973 by AC/DC at the very start of the band’s climb to international acclaim.

The Masters Apprentices were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 1998.

He joined Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar and brother Angus on lead guitar, lead vocalist Dave Evans and bassist Larry Van Kriedt.

The band fired Burgess in February 1974, accusing him of being drunk on stage, and he later said someone had spiked his drink.

He was followed by a succession of drummers as the band’s line-up evolved, with Bon Scott leaving the Valentines to replace Evans and Burgess returning for a few months in 1975.

-with AAP