FORMER AC/DC DRUMMER PHIL RUDD PLEADS GUILTY TO THREATENING TO KILL AND DRUG CHARGES
Former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening to kill.
He’s entered the same plea over possession of cannabis and methamphetamine, after previously pleading not guilty to all charges.
Rudd, who was arrested in November last year, made his latest court appearance in Tauranga, New Zealand, today. The 60-year-old faces up to seven years in jail if he’s convicted. His lawyer will argue against conviction at a sentencing hearing on June 26.
The court heard how Rudd was furious that the launch of his solo album Head Job “did not go well” and sacked a number of his staff.
He called an associate, said he wanted one former employee “taken out,” and offered $200,000, a car, a bike or a house – which the associate understood to be payment.
Rudd later called the intended victim and said: “I’m going to come over and kill you.” He made two further calls but the victim hung up, feeling “genuinely very fearful for his safety.”
The drugs charges stem from the police raid on Rudd’s house on November 6. A number of containers of controlled substances were found in his bedroom, pool room and hallway, while he had a bag of meth in his pocket, crumbs of cannabis on his coffee table and another bag of cannabis on his couch.
Craig Tuck, his legal representative, said: “This matter essentially revolved around an angry phone call – that was it. We will be arguing about that in June.”
He noted that an original charge of attempting to procure a murder had been “immediately dropped” after the raid, and added: “Today we have seen another charge dropped.”
AC/DC brought former drummer Chris Slade back for their world tour in support of latest album Rock Or Bust. In December Rudd insisted: “I’m going back to work and I don’t care who likes it and who doesn’t.” Guitarist Angus Young last year told how Rudd had put the band in a “difficult” position during album recording sessions.
source: classicrock.teamrock.com
He may do a little time but I doubt it. Still, it’s sad his life has fallen apart the way it has. Nobody knows how much longer AC/DC will be around but however long that is, I don’t think Phil will be back with them again. I wish the best for him and I hope he gets his act together and cleans up his life and can put this behind him and move on.
Hey James, how are ya buddy? On a lighter note, I have to tell ya your comments last week about the Kiss costumes cracked me up, made me LMFAO! Thanks for the laugh! Yeah this news about Phil really sucks, I guess his days with AC/DC really are over, what a shame. Still can’t wait to see them in August, I would have preferred Simon behind the drums, but Chris is good too. Nobody knows how to “Rock The Blues Away” better than AC/DC! Take care James, “Ride On.” 🙂
Dude, Doug, what’s up bud? Sorry I didn’t respond until now but I’ve been working some wacky hours at my job. Some great, not good, but GREAT concerts are coming around to my neck of the woods. I’m most excited about seeing Rush and going to Rocklahoma. But I’m upset that AC/DC is skipping my part of the country. With all they’ve been through with poor Malcom and having to deal with Phil’s BS, I guess it’s a miracle they are back at all.
As for the Kiss costume post, I was seriously thinking about at least seeing how much they’d be but I know for a fact I’d end up wearing the damn thing. I get bored where I live because it’s in the middle of nowhere and I do some stupid s**t sometimes, mainly when demon alcohol is involved. I was even thinking if I had Ace’s costume I’d even find a cheap guitar at a pawn shop I could mangle and take the first-ever front pickup out and put a little smoke bomb in it and really pretend I’m Ace. So, it’s best I just leave the notion of buying his costume alone. Like I stated before: my neighbors are already scared of me enough without me getting drunk and essing up in a Kiss costume and rocking out that way. What’s even funnier is when I told my girlfriend about the Kiss costumes, she said “HELL NO!” She knows me too well.
LOL James! Some great concerts coming around the Big Apple this summer as well, Rush in June, Def Leppard with Styx & Tesla in July, VH, Crue, and AC/DC in August. Feel bad for you and all the other AC/DC fans in your area that as of now anyway, it doesn’t look like they’ll be heading your way. But like you said, with all they’ve been through lately, and at their ages, it’s a miracle they’re even touring at all. Maybe if you have the time, and the money, you can take a trip to the east coast to catch them this summer? I wish you luck Bud, nothing beats the live experience, but AC/DC on DVD in HI-DEF on a 55″ is pretty damn good too! Later James, Cheers! 🙂
I am hearing that he could possibly be sentenced to 3 years in Whitesnake or possibly 1 year with Def Leppard with good behavior.
Chris Slade, you are now the official and permanent drummer for AC/DC.