Earlier this week, conflicting reports broke out about the future of AC/DC. Some were reporting that Malcolm Young had become too ill to even record and thus the rock legends were calling it quits, while others were calling the news hogwash. Now we have word from an actual member of AC/DC, and he’s saying that retiring is not in the cards just yet.
Singer Brian Johnson confirmed to The Telegram that AC/DC is still planning to get together and write material for a prospective new album. “We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver,” said Johnson. “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.” This matches Johnson’s previous claim made back in February about the band’s plans for the studio.
While this is certainly good news for those afraid AC/DC were calling it quits this year, Johnson did admit (without naming names) that one of his bandmates has been suffering from ill health. “One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don’t want to say too much about it,” admitted Johnson. “He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We’ve been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much.” While not wanting to “say anything either way about the future,” Johnson did seem optimistic that the health scare won’t cause AC/DC to retire from the road, according to The Telegram. And as to whether AC/DC has any plans to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a tour (as the singer previously hinted at), Johnson added “That would be a wonderful way to say bye bye. We would love to do it. But it’s all up in the air at the moment. AC/DC is such a tight family. We’ve stuck to our guns through the Eighties and Nineties when people were saying we should change our clothes and our style. But we didn’t and people got it that we are the real deal.”
We wouldn’t be surprised if conflicting reports continue to come out regarding AC/DC’s fate. However, it’s nice to finally hear from an actual member of the band on the matter, and we’re glad AC/DC will be around for a little bit longer.
UPDATE: AC/DC confirms that Malcolm Young is taking a break due to illness.
