Dirty Deeds: AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Charged In Murder Plot

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd was charged with attempting to arrange a murder. Police raided the drummer’s home in Tarunga, New Zealand, on Thursday morning.

According to the BBC News, officials found methamphetamine and marijuana at Rudd’s home during the raid and he has been charged accordingly.

While full details have not yet emerged, it appears the legendary AC/DC drummer targeted two New Zealand men, attempting to arrange their murder. The names of the men have not been released by authorities.

Daniele Stanberry of TV New Zealand reports that Rudd’s Tarunga home has been surrounded by security guards for the past month and that Rudd was visited by police for a separate incident in 2010.

Rudd appeared in district court Thursday. He did not enter a plea and was released on bail. New Zealand law requires Rudd to enter plea within one year.

The news comes during an eventful year for Rudd and AC/DC. The hard rock legends are scheduled to release a new album, Rock or Bust, later this month. The album was recorded without founding member Malcolm Young. The rhythm guitarist has recently taken time away from AC/DC to recover from an illness. Frontman Brian Johnson spoke to Rolling Stone about Young’s absence.

“We miss Malcolm, obviously. He’s a fighter… We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll get strong again… Stevie, Malcolm’s nephew, was magnificent, but when you’re recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn’t well, it’s difficult…But I’m sure he was rooting for us. He’s such a strong man. He’s a small guy, but he’s very strong. He’s proud, and he’s very private, so we can’t say too much. But fingers crossed he’ll be back.”

As reported by the Inquisitr, Young later officially retired from the band. Details of Young’s illness have not been disclosed.

The band also fought rumors of a breakup in the spring. But Johnson put those rumors to rest in June stating the band was alive and well and even planning a possible 40th anniversary tour.

The probability of this tour is now very much in doubt as Rudd was an integral, founding member of AC/DC. Yet in the world of Rock and Roll, money and fan service will almost certainly win out. Rudd faces the possibility of a 10-year jail sentence stemming from the incident. Should he be found guilty, Rudd could find himself on the inside looking out on AC/DC’s future.

Rudd is due back in court on November 27.

[Photo courtesy of 3 News New Zealand]