Yesterday (April 15), reports began swirling that AC/DC were planning to retire due to guitarist Malcolm Young suffering from an alleged illness. Now, the veteran riff purveyors have issued a formal statement on the matter, clarifying that Young will be taking a personal hiatus while the band will be carrying on without him.
The group issued the following message through their website:
After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group's diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.
In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family's privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music.
The group haven't confirmed the specifics of the guitarist's illness. Singer Brian Johnson was similarly vague when speaking with the Telegraph, saying, "I wouldn't like to say anything either way about the future. I'm not ruling anything out. One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don't want to say too much about it. He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We've been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much."
Nevertheless, the group will be heading into the studio in Vancouver as planned this spring. Johnson explained, "We're going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens, we'll record it."
Rumours have suggested that Young may have suffered a stroke, but nothing has been officially confirmed. It's currently unclear whether AC/DC's previously discussed plan to tour for their 40th anniversary will be going ahead.
The group issued the following message through their website:
After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group's diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.
In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family's privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music.
The group haven't confirmed the specifics of the guitarist's illness. Singer Brian Johnson was similarly vague when speaking with the Telegraph, saying, "I wouldn't like to say anything either way about the future. I'm not ruling anything out. One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don't want to say too much about it. He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We've been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much."
Nevertheless, the group will be heading into the studio in Vancouver as planned this spring. Johnson explained, "We're going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens, we'll record it."
Rumours have suggested that Young may have suffered a stroke, but nothing has been officially confirmed. It's currently unclear whether AC/DC's previously discussed plan to tour for their 40th anniversary will be going ahead.