Earlier this month, the band stated that the tour would likely continue at some point, but “likely with a guest vocalist.”

Who might front AC/DC was all but a mystery until rumors began two days ago that Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose would be taking up the task. As reported by Atlanta Radio 100.5 DJ Jason Bailey:

This is what I’m being told, Axl was meeting with the AC/DC group, because it’s all but a done deal that Axl will front AC/DC for the 10 remaining shows. All 10, including Atlanta… From what I was told, this was all kind of new inside information to me, Angus is a very black and white guy. He’s like, Brian, for health reasons, can’t continue fronting the band. He was supposed to retire after the last tour, so they wanted to continue going out on the road and continue making music, so if you can’t do it, we appreciate your services, but the show must go on. They’re in town, they were auditioning people for the job, and then they flew Axl in, again, this is from my source.

Sure enough, Axl was spotted in Atlanta this past weekend and apparently there for rehearsals.

With the pending reunion dates, which Axl also said would be more like a full-on tour this past weekend, with Guns N’ Roses, shouldn’t his energies be spent on putting that project together? More than that, is Axl really the right guy to front AC/DC? As you can see from the video above, Axl is no stranger to AC/DC (who is at this point in history?), and, honestly, his interpretation isn’t that bad. Actually, the AC/DC cover is better than the covers of G’N’R that he does these days. It makes sense that he knows “Whole Lotta Rosie” though, since he’s been doing it since the early days of G’n’R (see player below). But doing a cover is one thing and leading the band is quite another.

It’s not an official confirmation, but Malcolm Young’s son, Ross Malcolm Young, linked to an Axl rumor article on his Facebook page. Someone said that he was “opening a can of worms” by posting the article, to which Ross replied, “It’s true.” Now, did Ross mean that “it’s true that he was opening a can of worms” or that “it’s true that Axl is joining AC/DC for the tour”?

To be frank, there are only two men who should front AC/DC, and I think you know who I’m talking about. But let’s hear it from you: should AC/DC continue without Brian Johnson? What are your thoughts on the idea of Axl Rose fronting the band?

Rock Hard \m/

That’s right! In collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment, Yell! Magazine is giving away AC/DC’s latest chart-topping hit, Rock or Bust! The cover of the vinyl features a hologram image of the band’s logo, which “explodes” when you tilt it.

All you have to do is head over to our Facebook page and like and share the contest post, and on February 3, 2015, we’ll announce the randomly selected winner!

Note that this contest is only open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

Rock Hard \m/

Yes, so basically the “Rock or Bust” video features the band playing in the round as they’re surrounded by their hardcore fans. Filmed in London, fans really showed their appreciation, and it is palatable in the video. Angus Young returned the favor with his signature Chuck Berry strut and while Brian Johnson bellowed like he was 20 years younger. As you’ll see, Phil Rudd was absent during the filming of the video, being replaced by Shogun’s Bob Richards.

The song is a classic AC/DC number and it’s sure to become a classic. (Hard to believe that they can still produce a classic track at this late stage of their careers.)

Rock or Bust drops on December 2nd, and can be pre-ordered on CD, MP3, and Vinyl.

The charges against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd for “attempting to procure murder” have been dropped due to “insufficient evidence.”

The Associated Press reports that Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones said his prosecution office had been given the case after Rudd had been charged by police and taken into court. “The file was obtained today and reviewed,” Hollister-Jones revealed on Friday, adding, “There was insufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of attempting to procure murder.”

However, Rudd still faces charges of “threatening to kill,” for which he could face seven years in prison. Rudd’s lawyer, Paul Mabey, has said that they will fight those charges. Rudd is also still being charged for possession of meth and cannabis.

Prior to the charges being dropped, AC/DC issued the following statement: “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.”

We’ll keep you posted as the story unfolds.

Rock Hard \m/

AC/DC drummer, Phil Rudd, might soon be joining the likes of Tim Lambesis if the charges and allegations of attempting to procure murder prove to be true.

On November 6th, Rudd’s New Zealand home was raided as a result of his murder plot, and now he’s also been charged with possession of meth and cannabis. The 60-year-old Rudd has since been released on bail, but he’s been ordered not to contact the man he allegedly tried to hire to carry out the murder.

Rudd allegedly tried to hire a hit man to kill two men. All names have been supressed by the judge. However, one of the alleged targeted victims has stated that he wants to speak to a lawyer before making any comments.

It’s reported the Rudd allegedly attempted to hire the hit man sometime between September 25th and 26th. If he’s found guilty, he could face up to 10 years in prison. Rudd is scheduled to appear in court on November 27th.

Whatever the verdict, this certainly puts a damper on the upcoming (December 2nd) AC/DC release, Rock or Bust, and the supporting tour. And the situation just adds to the strain the band is experiencing concerning Malcolm Young.

We’ll keep you posted as this story develops.

Rock Hard \m/

UPDATE: Since publishing this news, it has been confirmed that Malcolm Young does have dementia. In a statement to People, Malcolm’s family said, “Malcolm is suffering from dementia and the family thanks you for respecting their privacy.” Our thoughts are with the Youngs during this trying time.

AC/DC’s Malcolm Young has officially retired, and in his stead Stevie Young (Angus and Malcolm Young’s nephew) has played guitar on the new album, Rock or Bust, and will join the band on the upcoming world tour.

The reasons for Malcolm’s retirement are still unconfirmed, although it’s believed that he had a stroke last year and Australia’s Sydney Morning Star has reported that he’s being treated for dementia in a Sydney nursing home. The nursing home is believed to be Lulworth House in Elizabeth Bay.

A person close to the Young family told the paper:

If you were in the room with [Malcolm Young] and walked out, then came back in one minute later, he wouldn’t remember who you are. He has a complete loss of short-term memory. His wife, Linda, has put him in full-time care.

AC/DC’s former manager, Michael Browning, told AAP:

I have friends that are still involved, and they keep me posted, so I have known for a little while. I think [Young’s illness] came on very suddenly. It’s shocking. It’s terrible. Sadly for AC/DC, they’re losing their creator, their mentor. He’s the genius behind the band.

We’ll keep you posted as the story continues to develop.

Rock Hard \m/

Source: Revolver

AC/DC will embark on a world tour in supprt of Rock or Bust, but before then the band is looking for extras to appear in a video shoot in London next month. If you’re going to be in London’s city center from midnight onwards on October 4th, and you want to appear in an AC/DC video, you’ll want to fill out the online form.

Rock Hard \m/

It’s an end to an era and a sad day for hard rock fans, specifically AC/DC fans, as the band’s 61-year-old rhythm guitarist and founding member, Malcolm Young, has officially retired. The word came down through the band’s long-time manager Alberts Music in a statement laced with some good news; there will be a new album titled Rock or Bust out on November 28th, followed by a world tour.

The statement confirms concerns that surfaced about six months ago regarding Malcolm’s health, “Unfortunately, due to the nature of Malcolm’s illness, he will not be rejoining the band.”

The statement went on to say that Steve Young, nephew to founding members Angus Young and Malcolm Young, plays guitar on Rock or Bust and will join the band on tour.

We’ll keep you posted on AC/DC news as it develops.

Rock Hard \m/

With all the AC/DC talk, we thought it would be an appropriate time to feature a full AC/DC concert on Yell! Magazine. And we thought we’d go with something that’s a little more recent, someting that showcases the perpetual talents unfazed by age contained in this band.

So, we bring you a full concert from AC/DC’s Black Ice tour, a stop in Argentina that was recorded and released on DVD. The tour ran for 18 months, and AC/DC played for over 5 million fans in 108 cities in about 28 countries.

Black Ice was somewhat of a comeback album for AC/DC. Actually, it’s not entirely accurate to call it a comeback since Stiff Upper Lip, their previous album, was no slouch. Perhaps “victory” is a better term than “comeback.” However, for the better part of the two decades preceding Black Ice, AC/DC’s output was dismal.

Black Ice was 2008’s second highest-selling album, hitting the Number 1 position on all charts throughout the world, which isn’t too bad for a bunch of oldtimers who released their first album 33 years prior.

Forty years later, AC/DC is just as timeless and enduring as ever. If they hung up the guitar strings today, sure, we’d be saddened, but no one would hold it against them. They’ve run the marathon, outlasting many of their peers, surviving an ever-changing musical landscape, all by staying true to themselves and offering honest blues-infused hard rock and roll. Look up “timeless” in any dictionary, and you’ll find a picture of AC/DC.

AC/DC Black Ice Tour – Live At River Plate, Buenos Aires 2009: Set List:

1. Rock N Roll Train 1:17
2. Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be 5:43
3. Back In Black 10:00
4. Big Jack 14:10
5. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap 18:19
6. Shot Down In Flames 23:06
7. Thunderstruck 26:34
8. Black Ice 32:06
9. The Jack 37:15
10. Hells Bells 46:27
11. Shoot To Thrill 52:03
12. War Machine 57:52
13. Dog Eat Dog 1:01:15
14. You Shook Me All Night Long 1:05:53
15. T.N.T. 1:09:45
16. Whole Lotta Rosie 1:13:43
17. Let There Be Rock 1:19:25
18. Highway To Hell 1:37:46
19. For Those About To Rock 1:41:49

Yell! Magazine’s Concert Series brings you kick-ass live shows to get your party started right and to help you vent your Friday frustrations.

Rock Hard \m/

The AC/DC news keeps rolling. Following what Brian Johnson stated, AC/DC has just issued the band’s first official statement regarding the rumors that have been circulating about the band and Malcolm Young’s health. So, essentially, it’s confirmed that Malcolm Young is ill and the band will move forward with their scheduled studio time in May.

As Loudwire has been reporting, an anonymous source close to the band had recently stated that Malcolm’s “memory loss is so bad it is consistent with Alzheimer’s or dementia although we do not know that is what it is.” The source went on to say that “there has been talk about cancer too” and that Malcolm is having difficulty remembering “familiar faces.”

Here is the official AC/DC statement posted to their Facebook page:

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.

Best wishes to Malcolm Young and his family.