http://www.thevine.com.au/music/news/are-acdc-about-to-break-up-20140415-279903/

Australian Radio Station 3AW broke the news this morning that Australian band AC/DC are on the verge of announcing their retirement. The reason for the long-running band’s demise, according to reports, are the suggestion that 61-year old guitarist Malcolm Young (pictured) is ill, and has returned to Australia with his family.

Media commentator Peter Ford told 3AW that “we may never hear them perform or record EVER again”. He added:

As FasterLouder points out, James Young, owner of Melbourne’s Cherry Bar (situated on AC/DC Lane) and band aficionado, revealed on a Facebook post not long after the news broke that he’s also heard such rumours, intimating that Malcolm Young is too sick to perform due to a smoking-related illness.

“Weeks ago I heard something I kept to myself. The band got together for 40th anniversary show rehearsals and Malcolm had forgotten how to play guitar…. due to a clot on the brain caused by smoking.

I hope and pray this isn’t true and that Malcolm Young will be OK because Malcolm Young is the engine room of the greatest tough rock n roll band the world has ever known.

The band were previously slated to begin recording a new album in Vancouver on April 1. But during a February interview with Andy Preston of the 98.7 Gater radio station in West Palm Beach, Florida, frontman Brian Johnson alluded to an illness in the band that has kept plans in the air.

“We’ve been denying anything, ’cause we weren’t sure. One of our boys was pretty ill, so we didn’t like to say anything, and we’re very private about things like this, so we didn’t wanna say anything. And he’s a very proud man. But I think we’ll be going into the studio in May in Vancouver. Which means, we should be getting ready.
Johnson also said during the interview that the band were planning to celebrate their 40 year anniversary this year with 40 gigs around the world.

Hope all is good in AC/DC land…If true get well soon Malcolm…

AC/DC IS NO MORE?
Posted 4/15/2014 10:01:00 AM

Rumors have been circulating Australia that the members of AC/DC are hanging it up due to illness.

The speculation emerged from comments made by entertainment commentator Peter Ford on radio station 3AW that “we may not hear them perform or record ever again”. As the rumor mill cranked into action earlier today, it was reported that founding guitarist and songwriter Malcolm Young had returned to Australia with his family. “He is believed to be unable to continue playing, although there has not been any explanation why,” the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Writer Darryl Mason was more direct, posting a story under the headline “RIP AC/DC: 1973 – 2014” on his blog. Mason continues:

“Nothing has been officially confirmed, as of this writing, but friends and family members have been discussing what happened to Malcolm for the past couple of weeks. The blood clot, resulting from the stroke, is believed to be why Malcolm couldn’t keep working.

Although friends have described Malcolm’s condition as serious, it doesn’t mean he won’t recover. People do get better after strokes, and people do recover lost skills.

But friends and family of band members believe the decision was made last week to call it quits.

Media in Australia have gone ballistic today on rumours of The End Of AC/DC, and it appears the news got out ahead of a planned official announcement from the band and management.

Right now, that announcement is expected …and a press conference has been scheduled.”

Here is a report from Australia’s 3AW:
http://media.smh.com.au/featured/acdc-said-to-split-5350713.html

They made a remarkably fast and smooth transition after Bon Scott died. Nothing whatsoever against Malcomb Young, but I think he could easily be replaced.

guitard: They made a remarkably fast and smooth transition after Bon Scott died.Nothing whatsoever against Malcomb Young, but I think he could easily be replaced.

Yes, and Dave was easily replaced in Van Halen but I think if Alex were to pass or become unable to play Van Halen would be no more.

I thought their “Farewell” tour 5 years ago was going to be their last.

All the best to Malcolm.

AC/DC Not on the Cusp of Retirement :Sources
http://m.billboard.com/entry/view/id/86248

sickman: Yes, and Dave was easily replaced in Van Halen but I think if Alex were to pass or become unable to play Van Halen would be no more.

Probably very likely, although Wolf might be able to step in for Alex, and Mike could come back to play bass. If Alex died, it might be too much for Ed to continue.

@EddieTrunk: More confirmed real AC/DC news. Sounds like they will continue with a fill in for Malcolm: https://t.co/yTLQ9ih1of:

AC/DC
5 hours ago
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.

By Jake Wallis Simons, Features Writer11:35AM BST 16 Apr 2014
Exclusive: Brian Johnson, the frontman of the rock band AC/DC, tells Jake Wallis Simons that rumours that the band are about to split up following concerns for the health of Malcolm Young are not true

Brian Johnson, the flamboyant frontman of the rock band AC/DC, has debunked rumours that the band are about to split up following concerns for the health of one of the members. Instead, he revealed that the band are still planning to get together and write material for a prospective new album.

Brian Johnson and Angus Young of AC/DC in 2001 (Action Press/REX)

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“We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver,” he told the Telegraph. “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.”

He confirmed that one member of the band – thought to be rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, the older brother of school-uniform-wearing lead guitarist Angus Young – has been suffering from ill health, but denied that this meant the end of the road for the band.

“I wouldn’t like to say anything either way about the future,” he said. “I’m not ruling anything out. One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don’t want to say too much about it. He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We’ve been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much.”

AC/DC: Malcolm Young, Cliff Williams, Angus Young and Brian Johnson (REX)

It has been reported that AC/DC are planning a tour to mark their 40th anniversary, which would involve 40 concerts in 40 different venues. “That would be a wonderful way to say bye bye,” said Johnson. “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.”

Earlier, Young’s difficulties were discussed by his friend Mark Gable, the frontman of fellow Australian band Choirboys who said it appeared the 61-year-old “is unable to perform any more”. There were suggestions that Young had suffered a stroke.

Speculation about his health led to suggestions the band were on the brink of retirement, a rumour Johnson has now scotched.

However, the band has since released a statement confirming that guitarist Young, 61, is to take time out of the band “due to ill health”:

“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.”

The band has previously survived the death of its singer when Scottish-born frontman Bon Scott died in 1980 after a night of heavy drinking in London, to be replaced by Johnson, who has remained as vocalist ever since.

12 FACTS ABOUT AC/DC

I don’t think I’d use “flamboyant” to describe Brian Johnson. Diamond Dave? Yes. Brian Johnson? Not so much.

I’d be OK if they retired for good – I don’t think any other band has provided such consistent and frequent rock n roll over the last 40 years. They can’t do it forever and you could argue that they “left everything on the stage”! What a great band.

If Malcolm cannot continue I could see his brother Angus pulling the plug. It’s totally different when a brother in the band cannot continue. Dimebag Derrells brother said on That Metal Show a few weeks ago Pantera is done forever.

Gilligan: I don’t think I’d use “flamboyant” to describe Brian Johnson.Diamond Dave?Yes.Brian Johnson?Not so much.

I was just going to post the same thing, that’s freaking hilarious. Brian Johnson may be the least flamboyant lead singer in rock.

Revo11: I was just going to post the same thing, that’s freaking hilarious.Brian Johnson may be the least flamboyant lead singer in rock.

It’s the hat. Roth started wearing the same one on the last tour.