AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young dies aged 64

PARIS - AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young has died aged 64 after suffering for several years with dementia, the band announced Saturday.

Young founded the Australian rock group with his brother Angus, who said he will leave "an enormous legacy".

"Today it is with deep heartfelt sadness that AC/DC has to announce the passing of Malcolm Young," a statement on the band's website said.

"With enormous dedication and commitment he was the driving force behind the band.

"As a guitarist, songwriter and visionary he was a perfectionist and a unique man."

Best known for their hit song Highway to Hell, AC/DC formed in 1973 and went on to produce 17 studio albums, selling more than 200 million records.

Friends and musicians paid tribute to him on Twitter.

Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osborne tweeted: "So sad to learn of the passing of yet another friend, Malcolm Young. He will be sadly missed. God Bless."

Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliot called him "an incredible guitar player & the glue for that band onstage & off."

Eddie Van Halen wrote: "It is a sad day in rock and roll. Malcolm Young was my friend and the heart and soul of AC/DC.

"He will be missed and my deepest condolences to his family, bandmates and friends."

Meanwhile Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams said Young's "guitar playing was a huge inspiration," adding "thanks for that."

'ENORMOUS LEGACY'

Malcolm Young had been suffering from dementia for the several years, and was replaced in the band by his nephew Stevie Young.

His family said he died peacefully, with them at his bedside.

His brother Angus paid tribute, saying: "As his brother it is hard to express in words what he has meant to me during my life, the bond we had was unique and very special.

"He leaves behind an enormous legacy that will live on forever.

"Malcolm, job well done."

Elder brother George, who the band described as a mentor, died last month.

The three brothers were born in Scotland and emigrated to Australia as children with their family, although their eldest brother remained in the UK.

A statement from his family, published on the band's Facebook page, said: "It is with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of Malcolm Young, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother.

"Renowned for his musical prowess Malcolm was a songwriter, guitarist, performer, producer and visionary who inspired many.

"From the outset, he knew what he wanted to achieve and, along with his younger brother, took to the world stage giving their all at every show. Nothing less would do for their fans."

Malcolm is survived by his wife O'Linda, children Cara and Ross, son-in-law Josh, three grandchildren, sister Margaret and brother Angus.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Guns N' Roses set 21-date reunion tour

SWEET CHILD: Guns N' Roses on Friday announced a 21-date tour of North America, expanding a reunion that will bring the original lineup back together for the first time in two decades.

A short video on the hard rockers' website lists 20 major US cities and Toronto as destinations for the summer tour.

No dates, venues or ticket information were provided. In a likely wink to the lack of details, the announcement was accompanied by a snippet of the group's song "Patience."

Guns N' Roses' 1987 "Appetite for Destruction" remains the top-selling debut album in US history. Axl Rose's soaring voice and raw anger coupled with Slash's intricate guitar work made the group a global sensation.

But the band, shaken by bitter personal disputes between Slash and Rose, last played together in Buenos Aires in 1993. Since then, Rose has kept performing as Guns N' Roses with other musicians.

The band has long received lucrative offers to come back together. It first revealed its reunion plans when it was announced as the headliner for the Coachella festival next month in California.

Since then, Guns N' Roses said that the reunion would begin on April 8-9 with two shows at the new T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip. An additional two shows were announced for April 19-20 in Mexico City.

The latest announcement may not be the last; the rockers notably did not list Los Angeles, their home turf, where they would be expected to perform a nostalgia-rich show.

A radio host on Atlanta rock station WNNX recently reported that Rose would also join AC/DC as guest vocalist for shows as frontman Brian Johnson suffers hearing problems. Neither Rose nor the veteran Australian rockers have commented.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

AC/DC drummer charged with attempting to procure murder in New Zealand

New Zealand police on Thursday charged AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd with attempting to procure murder, threatening to kill and possession of narcotics.

The 60-year-old Australian entered no plea to the charges during a brief court appearance in Tauranga, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) southeast of Auckland.

He was remanded on bail with restrictions on his movements and ordered to re-appear in court at the end of the month. Rudd could face up to 10 years' jail if convicted of the most serious charge of attempting to procure murder.

Police arrested Rudd, whose birth name is Phil Witschke, during a raid on his home earlier Thursday. The raid followed a tipoff from a member of the public, police said.

Police declined to comment on the nature of the allegations against the drummer.

The Sunlive news site said Rudd allegedly tried to procure the murder of two people, and threatened to kill one of them in late September.

The Australian-born Rudd moved to the seaside city of Tauranga after he was sacked from the band in 1983. He rejoined AC/DC in 1994, but has remained in New Zealand, where he owns a restaurant.

He was convicted and fined for possessing cannabis in 2010.

AC/DC is due to release their first album in five years on December 2.

(Reporting by Gyles Beckford; Editing by Stephen Coates)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com