AC/DC lead vocalist Brian Johnson (L) and Angus Young performs at the O2 Millennium Dome stadium in London April 14, 2009.
AC/DC lead vocalist Brian Johnson (L) and Angus Young performs at the O2 Millennium Dome stadium in London April 14, 2009. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

Phil Rudd had been unreliable even before he was charged in New Zealand, Angus Young said. The AC/DC co-founder revealed that they have been having issues with their drummer even before he was arrested in New Zealand.

Earlier this month, Rudd was arrested following a police raid on his Tauranga home. He was initially charged with attempting to procure a murder, threatening to kill, and possessing methamphetamine and marijuana, but the attempting to procure a murder charge was dropped after a day.

Even before he was charged, AC/DC fans were curious why Rudd did not appear on the band’s materials. According to Young, it’s because Rudd was elusive during the recording of their new album.

“It put us in a difficult situation,” Young told USA Today, adding that his absence continued through the video and photo shoot sessions accompanying the album production. “It put us in a spot where we couldn’t move forward. Does the guy show up? Is he reliable to do his job in good shape? We’ve always been a solid, reliable unit.”

Then came Rudd’s arrest and charges. He would have to attend court sessions and hearings, which would hinder with AC/DC’s tour schedule. This might mean that he would not be able to join the band in their 2015 tour.

“Phil created his own situation,” Young said. “It’s a hard thing to say about the guy. He’s a great drummer, and he’s done a lot of stuff for us. But he seems to have let himself go. He’s not the Phil we’ve known from the past.”

Young also speculated that drugs could be involved, but cleared that he has no knowledge of the exact situation Rudd is now in. “I can only say, from our perspective, that the guy needs to sort himself out.”

Rudd, the only Australian-born member of the band, was the drummer for AC/DC from 1975 until 1983. He rejoined the band in 1994. The band’s new album “AC/DC” is also the first one they will release without founding member Malcolm Young, who has retired from the band after being diagnosed with dementia.

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