Music fans are waiting for rock band AC/DC to confirm or deny the latest rumors over their future.
Whispers surfaced yesterday that the band’s 40th anniversary tour may be axed due to the health of one member, with some suggesting guitarist Malcolm Young may be unwell.
The band’s publicist has yet to comment and there has been no official statement from the notoriously private band on the new retirement speculation.
Australian showbiz commentator Peter Ford tweeted yesterday that “there was some sad detail” behind the rumored decision.
Ford said on an Australian radio station that his information was that “we may never hear them perform or record ever again.”
AC/DC, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, are one of the highest-grossing bands of all time. They have sold over 200 million albums over the past 40 years.
Fans had anticipated an anniversary tour to mark either their formation in November 1973 or the release of the band’s first internationally released album, “High Voltage,” in February 1975.
Back in 2012, singer Brian Johnson revealed work on their 16th album had been delayed due to a health issue with one band member.
In February, Johnson told a Florida radio station the anniversary tour was on hold but they were hoping to record next month.
“We’ve been denying anything, ‘cause we weren’t sure. One of our boys was pretty ill, so we didn’t like to say anything, and we’re very private about things like this, so we didn’t wanna say anything. And he’s a very proud man. But I think we’ll be going into the studio in May in Vancouver. Which means, we should be getting ready.
“It’s been 40 years of the band’s existence, so I think we’re gonna try to do 40 gigs, 40 shows, to thank the fans for their undying loyalty. I mean, honestly, our fans are just the best in the world, and we appreciate every one of them. So, like I said, we’ll have to go out, even though we’re getting a bit long in the tooth.”
While the band have never mentioned the member by name, Internet speculation today suggested it was guitarist Malcolm Young, whose health was in question, which has not been confirmed.
One persistant rumor was that Young’s health was enough to derail rehearsals for the 40th anniversary tour — which had yet to be announced — and throw a question mark over their future touring plans.
AC/DC superfan James Young, who owns an AC/DC-themed bar, was one of countless fans hoping the rumor was incorrect.
“If it is true that AC/DC will break up because Malcolm Young is ill, part of me admires the integrity of the band to say that with ‘No Malcolm there is no AC/DC’ because his rhythm guitar power chords ARE the very backbone of this band,” Young said. “Of course another part of me remembers that this band pulled off a miracle and found a replacement for Bon Scott in Brian Johnson and managed to ride on. So, like every AC/DC fan I pray for Malcolm today and trust that the Rock Gods will indeed … Let There Be Rock.”
Paul Cashmere of music website Noise 11 has seen a string of “AC/DC to retire” rumors over the past decade and was skeptical of the latest.
“An anonymous call into a radio station is hardly a reliable source,” Cashmere said.
“Besides, AC/DC have not worked 17 of the past 22 years. It’s not like they have a 9-to-5 job and four weeks’ annual leave and are counting down to their 65th birthday.
“AC/DC is not just a band, they are a corporation. Their Black Ice tour grossed $441 million. Saying AC/DC will retire is like saying Coca-Cola will retire. Not even death stopped Elvis Presley — he is a bigger business dead than he ever was alive. There is no such thing as retirement at this level.”
The Black Ice world tour played 168 shows over three years.
Presumably due to their vintage, the band have constantly been asked about retirement.
At 66, singer Brian Johnson is the oldest member, while bassist Cliff Williams is 64, guitarist Angus Young and drummer Phil Rudd are 59 and guitarist Malcolm Young is 61.
In 2010, Johnson told News Corp. he was anti-retirement.
“Of course I don’t want to retire,” he said. “But I’m telling you if the body or the voice packs in, there’s nothing I can do. Pride is what it is. You don’t want to let yourself, the band or the fans down. I’ll go on as long as I can. Thankfully, the old tubes have held up. They’ve got a little bluesier, that just happens with life. I’m 62 now and I know it. And I’ve got another birthday coming, which is a bit of a bugger, but what better way to get old?”
In 2011, Angus Young shot down retirement rumors by saying the band were working on new material, telling Sky News: “We’ll definitely be back … We’ll just keep at it and next time we’ll try to do it bigger and better.”
This article originally appeared on News.com.au.