AC/DC to Perform at the Grammys; Phil Rudd to Face Court 2 Days After Awards Show

AC/DC have been confirmed to play at the 57th Grammy Awards on February 8, which probably meant drummer Phil Rudd won’t be able to join them. The Australian rocker is set to attend a court hearing on February 10 to face his charges in Tauranga, New Zealand.

The hard rock band is among the first wave of artists announced to perform live on the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, U.S. for the prestigious music awards show. Madonna, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran and Eric Church were also announced.

It will be the first live show of the band since releasing their new record “Rock or Bust” in December. As Rudd is facing several criminal charges in New Zealand, it’s highly likely that Angus Young, Cliff Williams, Stevie Young and Brian Johnson will be performing at the Grammys without their long-time drummer.

Rudd, 60, is facing threatening to kill, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cannabis in Tauranga following a police raid on his home. He was originally also charged with attempting to procure a murder, but that was withdrawn the following day. Angus previously said Rudd’s participation in the band’s future endeavours would be problematic as they would be touring to promote their album in May. Part of Rudd’s bail conditions is to reside in his Tauranga home.

Angus also said that even before Rudd was charged, the band had been experiencing problems with Rudd. The drummer apparently missed video and photo shoots, prompting the other rockers to question his commitment to the band.

But Rudd was adamant to return to work with AC/DC. In his first interview since he was arrested, he told One News that he would be back with the band, and “I don’t care who likes it and who doesn’t.”

AC/DC will also be headlining the 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the U.S. in April. As in the case of their Grammy performance, it’s unknown if Rudd will be joining them.