Following a statement by AC/DC that guitarist Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to health issues, singer Brian Johnson says the group will enter a Vancouver recording studio next month as planned.
"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."
AC/DC issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the band’s status and future in the wake of rumors surrounding Malcolm’s health and their possible retirement.
“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,” posted the band. “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,” they added, “AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family’s privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music.”
AC/DC’s last album was 2008’s “Black Ice.” The band’s three-year tour in support of the project remains the fourth-biggest grossing tour of all-time, with revenue on more than $440 million. The final date of the tour was at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain on June 28, 2010.
Earlier this year, Johnson revealed the group was 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,” he continued. “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."
AC/DC was formed in Sydney, Australia in November of 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young; with few personnel changes over the years, the band has sold more than 200 million albums worldwide, including 71 million albums in the United States alone.
See also:
AC/DC release statement addressing retirement rumors
AC/DC friend confirms health issues facing guitarist Malcolm Young
REPORT: AC/DC to retire after guitarist suffers stroke
RUMOR: AC/DC retirement announcement pending
Search AC/DC at hennemusic
