AC/DC Confirms North America Tour - Without Phil Rudd

Publish Date
Thursday, 12 February 2015, 2:07PM
Source - Getty Images

Source - Getty Images

AC/DC has announced a tour of stadiums across North America with a replacement for drummer Tauranga-based Phil Rudd, who is accused of making death threats.

The Australian hard rock elders will open the tour of the United States and Canada on August 22 at the New England Patriots' Gillette Stadium near Boston, with the 13th and final date on September 28 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

AC/DC - who released a new album, Rock or Bust, in November - previously announced 25 dates in Europe starting on May 5 in The Netherlands.

AC/DC performed at the Grammy Awards on Monday with Chris Slade - the band's drummer in the early 1990s - replacing Rudd.

Rudd, who helped record Rock or Bust, will go on trial in April on charges of threatening to kill and drug possession in Tauranga, where he has lived since 1983.

He was also initially accused of trying to hire a hitman, but the charge was dropped after prosecutors cited insufficient evidence.

Slade earlier said on his Facebook page that he would play with AC/DC throughout the tour for Rock or Bust.

It was the second major lineup change for AC/DC. Malcolm Young, the rhythm guitarist who founded the band with his brother Angus, has been placed in a care facility as he suffers dementia.

AC/DC will also play as a headliner at the Coachella festival in California in April.

NZ Herald

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you