UPDATE: According to the Associated Press, prosecutors have dropped the murder-for-hire charges against Phil Rudd, as they claim the police arrested Rudd without enough evidence to convict. Rudd is still charged with threatening to kill, and with possession of methamphetamines and cannabis.
A statement released by the band, via Rolling Stone, said: “We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year.”
Rock or Bust is due out on December 2nd.
***
Longtime AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been charged with attempting to arrange a murder in Taraunga, New Zealand, according to BBC. Police raided the drummer’s house last Thursday morning, and found evidence of the murder plot, as well as methamphetamines and cannabis, on the property.
The drummer has been active musically, with the forthcoming AC/DC album release and his first solo album, Head Job, which was released earlier this year. A press photo of AC/DC showed all of the other band members, including Brian Johnson, Cliff Williams, Angus Young, and Stevie Young, but Rudd was not present. No word yet as to how the arrest will affect AC/DC’s plans.
The band also recently made headlines by revealing that original rhythm guitarist, Malcolm Young, was suffering from dementia.