AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd appeared in a New Zealand court today after breaching his bail conditions, reports the New Zealand Herald.
Rudd is facing charges of threatening to kill and drug possession, and is forbidden to have contact with any of the complainants or witnesses named on the charge sheets, the Herald said. He breached a non-association condition by having contact with a witness in the city of Tauranga earlier today, according to the report.
Rudd reportedly got into a scuffle with the witness in his pending but was released again without facing further charges.
Rudd’s lawyer Paul Mabey said Rudd appeared in court Thursday accused of breaching his bail conditions by associating with a witness. Mabey said it was a “chance meeting” and Rudd was released again on bail with no new charges.
Last month, police charged the 60-year-old drummer with threatening to kill, which comes with a maximum prison sentence of seven years, as well as possessing methamphetamine and marijuana. He has pleaded not guilty.
Columbus Coffee cafe owner Leo Rojas said Thursday that he witnessed Rudd curse and try to punch a larger man on the sidewalk outside the cafe.
Video courtesy of the Associated Press.
source: PostStar.com
14 Responses
Chance meeting or not with the “witness”, this is just one more bad incident in an already sad story. I can’t help but feel sorry for Phil. His life seems to have spun out of control.
The man apparently wants to do jail time. Hope he can get it together before it’s too late.
Unfortunately, Phil has gone of the rails it seems. Truly sad.
Wow, what a mess Phil is. It gets worse every time a story comes out.
Really this is beyond him ever playing in AC/DC again and is now just about him getting himself straight so that he can live a half way normal life. Hope he can get himself together.
Dana you really should use the picture of Phil from his courtroom appearance. This pic above is of a man that no longer exists.
I know, but I am trying to be respectful. Maybe on the next story.
D 🙂
It really is just so sad, I can hardly recognize Phil in the last couple of photos of him. I hate to see him in this shape, just hope it’s not too late for him to clean himself up and turn his life back around in the right direction, and stay that way.
No need to step on him when he is down. Thanks Dana for using the Black Ice photo.
Good call Dana. I’d like to remember him as the man he once was. On top of the world behind the kit of one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever, on one of the most successful tours of all time. I think Phil is one of the greatest rock drummers of all time. But he’s obviously in deep right now and is not the person he once was. I sincerely hope he gets the help he needs but the band doesn’t need that kind of nonsense right now. Love to hear Eddies thoughts on who’s gonna replace him.
There isn’t any reason to post a bad picture…we’ve all seen him and know what shape he’s in. BTW, could not disagree with you more in your recent comment about the simplicity of Phil’s drumming being easy to replicate. To me that’s a common misconception about the way Phil drums and how it fits with AC/DC and their sound. There is a reason, throughout all of the trouble over the years, why Malcolm and Angus always went back to Phil behind the kit.
Simplicity is sometimes the most difficult thing to replicate. I think his drumming on Rock or Bust and his recent solo album is top notch…almost brilliant in how easy he makes it sound. Don’t underestimate it.
I do agree with you David C. I didn’t mean to imply that Phil will be easy to replace. He is a huge reason for that classic acdc sound, and it would be next to impossible to find someone to replicate his drumming. I just offer that I would think there would be a long line of drummers that would love to sit behind the kit on the upcoming tour. But you are very correct. Phil is a brilliant drummer and it will be a daunting task to replace him. I challenge a drummer to keep a band “in the pocket” on a song like Let ThereBe Rock as Phil does. Live they jam that over 15 minutes long. I sincerely hope he gets help, as I do anyone who’s gone down that road.
Thanks Kevin…I appreciate the response but I was actually talking about Medved’s comment on Phil’s drumming, basically saying it is so simple that anyone can do it. Which we all know is BS…if you really listen to how Phil times his beat with band (and with Brian as well) it is simply brilliant. I’m not saying there haven’t been other talented drummers with AC/DC including Simon Wright and Chris Slade, but the sound is definitely different. Phil is a master at what he does and I think that people who dismiss his talent are just off their rocker.
if you are in the pocket and rock solid you will always have a gig period . it’s the same if you play double bass, you still have to be in the pocket , i have heard too many drummers play double bass with machine like speed go off the rails with their meter. you are right on the money with your comment on Phils drumming.