It is sad times indeed when a band which has undoubtedly become an institution in itself announces it’s retirement. So it has been said of AC/DC, who has always maintained that it would throw in the towel if one of its original members were forced to leave the group – rather than replacing a member it was a pact that was made to rather close shop and keep the memory of the group pure.

Malcolm Young, the 61 year-old song-writer and guitarist of AC/DC reportedly returned to Australia with his family in rather an unwell-condition. Although no information has been revealed as to what exactly is plaguing the musician, it is being said that he is ill enough to not be able to further participate as guitarist for the band – or so says Australia’s The Sydney Morning Herald.

Mark Gable, Malcom’s dearest friend as well as band member in Australian Band, Choir Boys, told ABC Radio that his pal Malcolm is indeed confirmed as being very ill and that the retirement of the band could be announced within days.

AC/DC apparently made a pact right in the beginning of their career that, should a band member not be able to perform due to a death or an illness, that they would immediately disband and retire – The claim was started by an email to a Perth radio station by someone identifying themselves as ‘Thunderstruck’ :
”My information is that Malcolm Young has moved himself and his family back to Australia, he’s very very ill and that AC/DC may well be history,” the person wrote to 6PR.

”AC/DC members have previously made a pact that no band members will be replaced should someone need to leave the band. No more is currently being said, however the particularly ill member of AC/DC’s son has stated that AC/DC may well be over.”

News has subsequently arrived, however, that Malcolm could have suffered a stroke. But so goes the rumour-mill of the entertainment industry and one can never be sure as other reports are now stating that the band booked recording space on Vancouver from the 1st of May, which indicates that the ‘stroke’ rumour may very well be, well, a rumour.

For more on this story, visit the Daily Telegraph