AC/DC To Retire?

I watched the story about AC/DC and their "imminent retirement" surge all over the Internet yesterday. An Australian radio station broke the story that was apparently "confirmed" by all sorts of other news outlets, with tons of theories that Malcolm or Angus Young (or both) were very ill. Billboard is reporting that a retirement probably isn't imminent, citing lack of official comments from band sources or management. 

Further adding to the confusion, The Sydney Herald reports that Malcolm Young is now unable to play his instrument "but there's been no explanation why."

AC/DC is set to record a new album this year. I guess time will tell what happens.

What do you think? I'm glad I got to see the band on their Black Ice tour.

Update on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 10:01AM by Allyson B. Crawford

Here's an update from Billboard. AC/DC Frontman Denies They're Quitting, Confirms Member Has 'Debilitating Illness'

Comments

[Gary]

From what I gathered its Malcolm that's ill. Moved his family back to Austrailia.I hope it's not true that he's really sick. I saw these guys on the Back In Black and For Those About To Rock tours back in very early 80's,and they were the tightest live band I've ever seen. They just plain kicked ass for like 2 straight hours both times. I just read this morning that Brian Johnson stated that they're set to go in the studio in Vancouver in May,and that they'd like to do 40 shows for their 40th year this year. I suppose only time will tell? Get well soon Malcolm,and keep churning out those iconic riffs we've all come to love over these many years!!

[GNR]

No doubt... hopefully good news in the future.

[Gary]

Apparently what I read was spot on Ally. Thanks!

[Dj]

That;s about all I know, I heard for some reason Malcolm can't play. I heard about the forty shows for their forty year anniversary. I have never seen these guys, so I hope they play here, I would love to see them. I hope Malcolm is okay.

[Metalboy!]

I was fortunate to see AC/DC in 1978 off their "Powerage" album at Painter's Mill Music Fair in Owings Mills, Maryland, then, 3 times off "Highway To Hell" in 1979, once at Towson State University, once in Oakland, once in Wahington D.C., 3 times off "Back In Black" in 1980 in Washington D.C., once off "For Those About To Rock" in 1981 at The Baltimore Civic Center, once off "Fly On The Wall" in 1985 at The Baltimore Civic Center and once off "Ballbreaker" in 1995 at Madison Square Garden.

My favorite song by AC/DC is "Problem Child". I once met Brian Johnson right in the street at 53rd & 7th Avenue in NYC in 1991. I later met the band at a record signing in 1998 at Virgin Megastore in Times Square.

I just recently met Brian Johnson's Cousin, a very nice young lady, on The Monsters of Rock Cruise. She told me Malcolm as ill but it didn't register with me just how serious it is.

Prayin'to The Metal Gods for Malcolm's speedy recovery.

[Ace Steele]

Malcolm had a stroke. Not knowing any details of how severe, but that could sideline any motor functions required to play guitar. Which would be really sad, because Mal is one of the tightest rhythm guitarists ever, & literally the backbone of AC/DC. He's also pretty much their main song/riff writer. I wish him a speedy recovery, but know that coming back from something like that is a slow process, if at all. I've been seeing AC/DC play live since the first time they played the Whiskey A Go Go in L.A., Saw them many times with Bon, & never thought they'd recover from the loss of him. Sure enough, they went on to have another 35 years since then! And fear not, they've played without Malcolm before... A good portion of the "Flick of the Switch" tour, Mal was sidelined & their cousin Steve Young filled in quite capably. It's all a matter of if they want to keep going w/o Malcolm onstage.

[Him]

I agree with everyone: speedy recovery.

[Metalboy!]

As usual, Ace, solid reporting and revealing perspective.

When was it you first saw AC/DC at The Whisky? Was that off "Let There Be Rock" or prior? What an incredible venue to see them!

[Ace Steele]

I think it was High Voltage... August '77 I remember it was after 3 nights of seeing KISS on the Love Gun Tour at the Forum, the next night, we were at the Whiskey for AC/DC. Place was packed, hot & sweaty... and Bon absolutely OWNED the crowd.

[Dj]

Damn, some of you have been to amazing shows.

[Gary]

Ace and MB. You guys sure are lucky.I never got to see Bon. 8-(. Was supposed to go for the Highway to Hell tour but I was sick and sat it out. I Saw Brian on his 2nd or 3rd ever gig with them on the Back In Black tour in Philly. Pretty sure they opened that tour in Rochester and then came to Philly.One of the best shows music wise I've ever been at. Like I previously said,they were hands down the tightest band I'd ever saw,(and I'd seen quite a few by 1981) It was just one solid kick ass groove from opening power chord from Malcolm to the the last note from Angus.And all for the princely sum of $10.50.......lmao

[Metalboy!]

Whoa! HUGE, Ace! Off "High Voltage"?! OMG! Oh, Metal God!

Gary, we need to double check but I think that's how The Black & Blue Tour started... Rochester, Philly, then Washington, D.C. (Largo, MD!)

They played 2 nights at Capital Centre in Largo, MD. I was there, point blank, for both!