AC/DC Not Breaking Up; The Rumor Was a Cheap Dirty Deed; Malcolm Young Is Ill, But AC/DC Is Back In Black For Fortieth

AC/DC is not breaking up. Yesterday, rumors went out that AC/DC was breaking up on news that Malcolm Young was ill. No. That was a dirty deed. A cheap dirty deed. AC/DC is in the studio right now working on new sounds.

AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson did confirm that Malcolm Young, AC/DC's rhytm guitarist is suffering "a debilitating illness." Mark Gable, the singer for Australia's rock outfit Choirboys, had earlier stated that it looked like Young "is unable to perform any more."

Johnson told The Telegraph, "We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver. We're going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens, we'll record it."

Brian Johnson confirmed claims that Malcolm Young is ill, saying "One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don't want to say too much about it. He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We've been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much."

AC/DC put a statement on their Facebook page saying "After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group's diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support. In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family's privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music. "

There have also been reports that AC/DC plan to celebrate 40 years together by playing 40 concerts in 40 different venues. Johnson thinks that would be a great idea. But the band hasn't decided yet.

He explained "That would be a wonderful way to say bye bye," said Johnson. "We would love to do it. But it's all up in the air at the moment. AC/DC is such a tight family. We've stuck to our guns through the Eighties and Nineties when people were saying we should change our clothes and our style. But we didn't and people got it that we are the real deal."

Brian Johnson replaced Bon Scott, AC/DC's original lead singer who died on February 19, 1980. Scott died of "acute alcohol poisoning" after partying all night at the Music Machine club in London. Brian Johnson joined for AC/DC's Back in Black album.

AC/DC was put together in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. They moved to Australia from Scotland in 1963.