UPDATE2 : APRIL 16: AC/DC HAVE RELEASED OFFICIAL STATEMENT: AC/DC JUST RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE:
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.
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I am hoping that people can continue to give the privacy that this band and man so well deserve. After 40 years of their gift of music that they have given to us, I pray that people will respect their wishes for privacy. We don’t need to know everything, we just need to support Malcolm and send healing light and prayers his way. In addition singer Brian Johnson spoke with The Telegraph and said, “We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver, 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.” And about the rumors of illness and future of the band, Brian said, “I wouldn’t like to say anything either way about the future,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.” You can read the full article in the Telegraph here. So let’s all support them in this trying time and send our best wishes for good health to Malcolm. Let There Be Rock! ~ Marisol
UPDATE 1 : The Sydney Herald does report that there should be a statement released by the band or management soon, possible in the next day. What really ticks me off is that the story was leaked by someone going on the air on a tv gossip/news show with news. He even tweeted “Catch me on @ACurrentAffair9 tonight with breaking news on in the AC/DC story” It pisses me off since the band was going to be working on making a formal statement with news, etc. but this guy had to try and cash in on his 15 minutes of fame and jump the gun with the story. We are always respectful of people we write about here at Music Junkie Press. We have had stories not posted because it would either embarrass or negatively reflect on a musician even if they are 100% true facts. We don’t chase the readers with bad stories, there are too many others out there for that. ~ Marisol, Music Junkie Press.
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We have all be hearing the rumors this past couple days about AC/DC and if they are retiring or heading in to the studio to record. We have not received any confirmation from the band or their representatives but it has been reported by an Australian blogger, Darryl Mason of The Orstrahyun that Malcolm suffered a stroke several weeks ago and when they returned to the studio to begin work on the new album, Malcolm realized he couldn’t play or play like he used to. Here is an excerpt from that blog post:
Plans were underway for a new studio album, their first since 2008’s monumental Black Ice, and a ’40th Anniversary’ world tour, 40 huge shows across the globe.
About 3 weeks ago, founding member, rhythm guitarist, co-producer and co-songwriter Malcolm Young had a stroke, which left a blood clot on his brain.
When AC/DC reunited at the start of April to begin a month of rehearsals, in the lead-up to new album recording sessions, Malcolm discovered he couldn’t play. At least, he couldn’t play like he used to play.
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.
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First, we do need to await a formal confirmation but if it is in fact true, I want everyone to know don’t count Malcolm out as of yet! I am a stroke survivor myself. I suffered my first stroke at age 35 and then 36, and regained all my faculties within days but then about 7 years ago, I suffered a worse stroke that left me unable to walk, think right, type, etc for a while. After leaving a 6 day stay at the hospital, I went home with a walker to get around. Yet, I felt like I was back to normal and wanted to get back to walking as soon as possible. I went aggressively to physical therapy three times a week determined to speed up the process of recovery. One day several weeks into my rehabilitation, the nurse asked me to jump. I looked at her with my puzzled expression. I knew what she said, “Jump”, I knew what it was but I looked at my feet and couldn’t figure out how to get my feet off the ground and Jump! I then realized four weeks into my recovery that I was not back at my baseline and it would take longer to recover. But you know what, after another several weeks, I JUMPED!, I then began walking faster, going up stairs, and eventually after 6 months, got rid of my walker and returned by to my normal living! People today who didn’t know me then, never believe when I tell them about being a 3 time stroke survivor.
So, what I want everyone to know if in fact this is true about Malcolm Young, he and everyone needs to know that just because at that moment you are not at the same baseline as before, you might be able to get there! Lastly, I send all my best wishes for good health and happiness to the band, whatever does happen. First and foremost is health before the music and thank you for the great rock and roll that AC/DC has given us. I grew up on it and will continue to play it LOUD!
You can read the full blogpost by Darryl here.
So I will await the news and hope that we can receive a confirmation either way about the news story and maybe, just maybe we will continue to see that 40 year anniversary tour just a bit later than planned. I will leave you with a video of the last time we saw AC/DC perform here in the Bay Area. We will continue to keep you updated.
~ Marisol
After playing in a rock cover band for several years, playing at the Utah State Fair, the American Heart Association Heart Walk, and several other large local events, I suffered a stroke which affected my left hand. I can’t even tell anything’s wrong, until I pick up a guitar. I’ve recovered most of my playing ability, but it’s still not quite the same as it was before. The biggest problem is that I remember what it used to feel like and how it used to feel so effortless. My love and prayers go out to Malcom and his family. I wish him a speedy recovery and hopefully, a return to the stage! Sincerely, Steve Starley
Steve, Thank you so much for sharing your story. As a three time stroke survivor myself, I know how hard it is to go through that recovery. I hope you are doing good and back to playing!!! ~ Marisol