AC/DC to keep on playing despite guitarist Malcolm Young's ill health
Australia's pre-eminent hard rock band AC/DC announced yesterday it would carry on making music without ailing rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young.
"After 40 years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health," the group said on its website, without disclosing the nature of his illness.
"Malcolm would like to thank the group's diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support."
The statement added: "The band will continue to make music."
Formed in Australia in 1973 by Malcolm and brother Angus Young, AC/DC is famed for rock anthems Let There Be Rock, Whole Lotta Rosie and Highway to Hell.
Malcolm would like to thank the group’s diehard legions of fans worldwide
Rumours about the band's future began circulating earlier this week following an anonymous tip-off to a Perth radio station by someone calling themselves Thunderstruck. The tipster said in an e-mail that Young, 61, was "very ill" and had returned with his family to Australia.