Could AC/DC’s Next Tour Be Their Last?

They don’t come any bigger than AC/DC. But the Australian rock giants might be crumbling, after a year that has seen one bandmate diagnosed with a serious illness and another arrested. That’s the prediction of AC/DC biographer Jesse Fink, who thinks the band’s next tour will be their last.

Fink, who wrote The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC, released earlier this year, says that the burden of guitarist Malcolm Young’s exit from the band and drummer Phil Rudd’s ongoing legal troubles is “really chipping away at the old spirit of the band”.

“Angus [Young] has been the star of the show for many years now, so long as he is standing there’s still an AC/DC,” Fink told the Herald Sun, “But given all the troubles this year I think this will be the final tour.”

The biographer went on to describe Angus as the “only irreplaceable member of AC/DC” and Rudd, although “a massive part of the AC/DC story and … sound”, as “still replaceable”. As Fink sees it, the fewer longstanding members of AC/DC remain in the band, the greater the question of “whether we’re really getting the authentic AC/DC experience”.

Fink also points to Rudd’s exclusion from a recent AC/DC promotional photograph, which includes Malcolm’s replacement and nephew Stevie Young, as “a statement he wasn’t in the band anymore”. Despite his dire prediction Fink says AC/DC “is very resilient” and “protective of their brand” worth hundreds of millions.

Meanwhile, Rudd could still face significant jail time despite the charge of attempting to procure a murder being dropped due to insufficient evidence. According to New Zealand legislation “threatening to kill”, a charge Rudd still faces, carries a maximum sentence of seven years.

Rudd also faces charges of possession of methamphetamine and cannabis after police raided his Tauranga home. Rudd is expected in court again on Thursday, 27th November.

AC/DC is expected to tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary though details are yet to be confirmed. The band’s new album Rock Or Bust is due out Friday, 28th November.

Listen: AC/DC – Play Ball

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