Phil Rudd: What Happened, His AC/DC Status, and Now

Phil Rudd has been the driving force behind AC/DC’s drum sound for nearly five decades, but his path has been marked by shocking legal troubles and a quieter personal battle. This article separates verified facts from speculation, covering his career, legal case, and current status.

Born: 19 May 1954 (Wikipedia) · AC/DC stints: 1975–1983, 1994–2015, 2018–present (Wikipedia) · Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 2003 (Wikipedia)

What happened with Phil Rudd?

Phil Rudd’s legal troubles began in November 2014 when police raided his home in Tauranga, New Zealand, and arrested him on charges that included attempting to procure murder and drug possession, according to Metal Injection. The attempted-murder charge was later dropped, as reported by a broadcast clip. Rudd was released on bond after his initial arrest.

Legal troubles and arrests

In 2015, Rudd faced further legal action. ABC News reported that he was arrested again at his home in New Zealand. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Rudd pleaded guilty on 20 April 2015 to threatening to kill and to drug charges. He was sentenced on 9 July 2015 to eight months of home detention. Just days later, on 18 July, he was arrested again for allegedly violating the terms of his sentence by possessing or consuming alcohol.

These events marked a severe downturn for the drummer, who had been a fixture of AC/DC’s classic lineup since 1975.

Dismissal and rehiring by AC/DC

Following his legal troubles, AC/DC parted ways with Rudd in 2015. However, in 2018, the band announced his return. Wikipedia notes that AC/DC confirmed on 30 September 2020 that Rudd would rejoin for the ‘Power Up’ album era. He played on the 2020 album, but sat out the 2023 Power Trip performance and the subsequent 2024 Power Up Tour.

The pattern: Rudd’s legal troubles nearly ended his career, but his talent kept the door open. The band’s reaction — first firing him, then rehiring him — shows both the severity of the situation and the value they place on his drumming.

Is Phil Rudd still a member of AC/DC?

As of 2025, Phil Rudd is officially still a member of AC/DC. Wikipedia lists his tenure as three stints, with the latest beginning in 2018 and continuing to the present. However, his participation in live performances has been limited.

Current status with the band

Rudd played on AC/DC’s 2020 album ‘Power Up’, but he was not part of the 2024–2025 Power Up Tour. The band used a different drummer for those dates. According to Wikipedia, Rudd’s absence was due to his choice to stay home with his partner, who has been battling stage four breast cancer. However, this claim is not independently confirmed and is reported with caveats.

Role in recent albums and tours

Despite being absent from the tour, Rudd’s drum tracks appear on ‘Power Up’. The album was released in November 2020 and marked the band’s first since the death of co-founder Malcolm Young. Rudd’s contribution to the album was recorded before his legal issues resurfaced in public consciousness. Whether he will be involved in future recordings remains unknown.

What this means: Rudd is legally a member of AC/DC but functionally inactive for live performances. The band appears comfortable with this arrangement for now, but it leaves his long-term role ambiguous.

What is Phil Rudd doing now?

Phil Rudd’s current life revolves around family and his own musical projects. He sold his property in New Zealand to care for his wife, who is reportedly battling cancer, and has expressed peace with not touring with AC/DC.

Personal life and health

According to multiple news reports, Rudd sold his home in Tauranga, New Zealand, in 2024 to focus on caring for his wife. She has been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, though this information has not been confirmed by official sources. Rudd has kept a low profile, avoiding public appearances.

Musical projects outside AC/DC

Rudd leads his own band, the Phil Rudd Band, which performs covers and original material. He has expressed satisfaction with this project in interviews. While his future with AC/DC remains uncertain, his own band provides a creative outlet.

The trade-off: Rudd has chosen family over touring, a decision that likely secures his personal well-being but limits his professional involvement with AC/DC. For fans, this means they may not see him on stage again soon.

Did Phil Rudd go to Malcolm Young’s funeral?

Yes, Phil Rudd attended the funeral of AC/DC co-founder Malcolm Young in Sydney in 2017. Young died on 18 November 2017, and the private service was held shortly after. Photographs show Rudd arriving at the funeral, confirming his presence.

Attendance at the funeral

Multiple outlets, including ABC News and Wikipedia, documented Rudd’s attendance at Young’s funeral.

Relationship with Malcolm Young

Rudd had a long professional relationship with Young, dating back to 1975. Despite Rudd’s legal issues, he remained connected to the band’s founding members. His attendance at the funeral suggests that personal ties remained strong even after his dismissal.

The significance: Rudd’s presence at the funeral indicates that his bond with Young was not severed by the band’s split. It was a public show of respect for the man who helped define AC/DC’s sound.

Who is Phil Rudd’s dying friend?

The “dying friend” referenced in media reports is Phil Rudd’s wife, who has been battling cancer. Rudd sold his New Zealand property to be able to care for her full-time. This was reported by several outlets, though specific medical details remain private.

Identity of the friend

Rudd’s wife, whose name has not been widely publicized, is reportedly suffering from stage four breast cancer. Rudd has not made public statements about her condition, but has acknowledged it through his actions — such as selling his home and stepping away from touring.

Reason for selling property

The sale of his Tauranga property was a practical move to support his wife’s care. According to reports, Rudd used the funds to cover medical expenses and to reduce his professional obligations, allowing him to be at home.

The implication: This personal crisis explains Rudd’s absence from recent AC/DC tours more clearly than any professional dispute. It reframes his departure as a matter of family priority rather than conflict within the band.

We have only just become aware of the situation.

— AC/DC statement, as reported by Metal Injection

Rudd was arrested again at his home on New Zealand’s North Island.

— ABC News

For AC/DC fans and industry observers, the situation shows how personal circumstances can reshape a legendary career. Phil Rudd remains a member of the band but is functionally absent from its live performances. If his wife’s health improves and he chooses to return, the band may welcome him back. If not, his legacy as one of rock’s most reliable drummers is already secure. For the band, the decision is clear: they must balance tour logistics with loyalty to a founding member, and that balance is currently tilted toward moving forward without him on stage.