Brian Johnson (R) and Angus Young of AC/DC perform a medley of songs to open the show at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 8, 2015.
IN PHOTO: Brian Johnson (R) and Angus Young of AC/DC perform a medley of songs to open the show at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California February 8, 2015. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

AC/DC are coming to Australia and New Zealand — without two key members of the band. Ailing founder Malcolm Young has already retired, while troubled drummer Phil Rudd, who is facing legal charges in New Zealand, will be replaced by Chris Slade, whom Rudd replaced in the band more than two decades ago.

The Australian rockers are coming home to play in five stadiums across the country. They have announced their “Rock or Bust” concerts in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne from November to early December.

The band will be at the ANZ Stadium (Sydney) on November 4, at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (Brisbane) on November 12, Adelaide Oval (Adelaide) on November 21, Domain Stadium (Perth) on November 27 and at the Etihad Stadium (Melbourne) on December 6.

Tickets cost from $99 to $159, although if it was all up to co-founder Angus Young, it would all be under $100. “Playing in Australia matters a lot to them. This is where it all started 40 years ago,” promoter Garry Van Egmond was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald as saying.

“Angus watches the tickets like a hawk. We could charge a lot more if we wanted, but he wants it to be affordable and he’s very sincere about it. He also doesn’t allow presales.” Unfortunately, the business side of music prevailed, and Aussie fans would have to shell out a lot more than $100.

They will also miss two of the band’s members — Malcolm and Rudd. Malcolm, who formed the legendary group with his brother Angus, officially departed from the band in September. The group confirmed that the ailing rocker is suffering from dementia. His nephew, Stevie Young, has filled in for him on their world tour.

Rudd, on the other hand, is facing criminal charges in New Zealand, where he has resided for years. He was charged with attempting to procure a murder, threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis following a police raid on his Tauranga home in November. When the band perform at the Grammy Awards in February, he was nowhere in sight. In his place was Slade, the same drummer who worked with the band from 1989 to 1994. Slade is also the drummer who replaced Rudd when he was fired from the group, and whom Rudd replaced when he was rehired.

Apart from Angus, Stevie and Slade, the band also has Cliff Williams and Brian Johnson. They will be the faces that will grace the stages in New Zealand in December. It’s unclear if Rudd, who is in the country, will be joining the band there.

Dates for the New Zealand leg of the “Rock or Bust” tour are not confirmed yet, but they will be in the country from mid to late December for a show at Western Springs in Auckland and at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. The last time the iconic rockers were in Australia and New Zealand was in 2010.

Contact the writer at a.lu@ibtimes.com.au.

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