Photo: Wenn
Former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has pleaded guilty to charges of threatening to kill.
Rudd has announced that he has changed his plea to guilty ahead of the trial that was set to take place this week in New Zealand at Taurana District Court. The sticksman was arrested in November and charged over an incident on 26 September where he threatened to kill a man and his daughter.
He was also charged with drug possession and with attemptiting to procure a murder (although this charge was susbequently dropped).
The court had heard previously that Rudd had fired a number of employees following poor performance of his solo album Head Job. Rudd will be sentenced on 26 June.
When asked about Rudd's status in the band before he changed his plea, AC/DC have not made a clear decision as yet. Speaking to the Guardian, Angus Young admitted they “had a few problems” and the "situation he’s in that took everyone by surprise."
Young went on to explain the difficult position they find themselves in. "We had a few issues before with him, even when we were recording it was hard even to get to him to do the recording," he said. "And then he was supposed to show up to do promos with us, to do video shoots and a few shoots and a few other things, and he never showed up for that either. So, at this stage, it’s a pretty tough call for us.”
Rudd has also seen his former band have a huge success around the globe with Rock Or Bust. The band achieved top three in the UK and are widely tipped to be headlining Glastonbury next year.
AC/DC's full 2015 UK and Ireland tour dates are below.
Sun June 28 2015 - GLASGOW Hampden Park
Wed July 01 2015 - DUBLIN Aviva Stadium
Sat July 04 2015 - LONDON Wembley Stadium
