AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd faces charges of attempting to procure murder

By Ben Rogerson
published

60-year-old appears in court in New Zealand

Phil Rudd performing with AC/DC in 2009.
Phil Rudd performing with AC/DC in 2009. (Image credit: Michael Hurcomb/Corbis)

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has appeared in court in New Zealand on charges of attempting to "procure" a murder. He was also charged with possessing methamphetamine and cannabis, and of making threats to kill.

The news comes as AC/DC prepare to release their new album, Rock or Bust. Rudd didn't appear in the first image used to promote the album, and was reportedly absent from recent video shoots.

Rudd has been released on bail and will appear in court again on 27 November. He has yet to enter a plea.

Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.