Phil Rudd Arrested for Attempting to Procure a Murder

[That 70s Guy]

rollingstone.com



AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was arrested in New Zealand on Thursday morning local time and charged with attempting to procure a murder, as first reported by Stuff.co.nz. A member of the Tauranga Central division of New Zealand Police confirmed Rudd's arrest to Rolling Stone, but did not provide any additional details. According to Stuff, Rudd allegedly tried to have two as-yet-unidentified men killed and was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill.

The longtime drummer appeared in Tauranga District Court on Thursday afternoon local time and was released on bail. He is due back for his next hearing in three weeks. New Zealand police have yet to reveal any details behind Rudd's arrest or who was the intended victim. According to New Zealand news outlet The Sun, Rudd was "accused of procuring murder" between September 25th and 26th.

The drug charges pertain to a raid on the 60-year-old drummer's house conducted by police on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the group was not immediately available for comment.

Last month, a new press photo of the group was released featuring frontman Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams, guitarist Angus Young and guitarist Stevie Young. Asked why Rudd was not included in the photo, a spokesperson for the band told Rolling Stone at the time that the drummer was unable to make the photo shoot but was still an active member of the band.

It's unclear how Rudd's arrest will affect the group's upcoming 2015 world tour. The band had been prepping the December 2nd release of Rock or Bust, their first record in six years and first without founding rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who left the band earlier this year due to dementia. The band debuted the first song to come off the album,

Rudd became AC/DC's drummer in 1975 and stayed with the band until 1983, moving to Tauranga after leaving the group. He rejoined AC/DC in 1994 and has been a permanent member ever since.

The drummer released his debut album, Head Job, in August.

Read more: AC/DC's Phil Rudd Arrested for Attempting to Procure a Murder | Rolling Stone
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[Riff Raff]

Read a lot of conflicting articles about this, another said he was charged for possession of meth. No idea which is true if not all are. Wanna hope its only an allegation and not true.

 

[Sharp Dressed Man]

Could be a sad end for one of my favourite drummers!

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

cnn.com has the contract hit story as well.

 

[Sweaty]

Let''s wait and hear the full story, media makes it worse, hope it's not true.

 

[Sharp Dressed Man]

A (short) statement, from the band:

AC/DC: RUDD ARREST WON'T IMPACT ALBUM & TOUR

Band say they were blindsided by drummer's court drama, but vow to go on
AC/DC say Phil Rudd's arrest in an alleged hitman plot will not impact on their upcoming album or 2015 tour.

Rudd was arrested this morning and appeared in a New Zealand court charged with attempting to procure the murder of two men. He faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted.

In a short statement, AC/DC say: "We've only become aware of Phil's arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock Or Bust and upcoming tour next year."

Rudd, 60, was arrested early this morning when his home in Tauranga was raided by police, acting on information received from a member of the public. The alleged offences are said to have taken place between September 25 and 26 this year.

He later entered no plea at Tauranga District Court to the main charge, plus additional charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and threatening to kill. He was released on bail and will return to court in three weeks.

Meanwhile, the man allegedly suspected of being the intended hitman has been reported as saying Rudd was "a good guy who had burnt a lot of bridges." The Melbourne Herald Sun quotes the unnamed man as saying he was friends with Rudd, although he refused to answer any questions on the murder plot allegations.

Rudd failed to appear for an AC/DC video shoot in London last month. His absence was explained by frontman Brian Johnson as being down to "family reasons." Days later, an official band photograph was released showing the group without Rudd.

Rock Or Bust will be the band's first album without mainman Malcolm Young, who’s been forced to retire as a result of dementia. His nephew Stevie Young has been named as his replacement.

Source: Classic Rock

 

[Phil B.]

Gee Whizzzzz...........

 

[Hydrazoic Acid]

Hope, that it's not true...

 

[Sunny]

^^^^^^

WTF ..... I'm also hoping it isn't true.

 

[Riff Raff]

Charges were dropped.