Editing AC/DC (section)

===2014–2018: Malcolm Young retires and hiatus===
[[File:ACDC, Concierto en el Estadio Olimpico Lluís Companys - (Barcelona 2015).JPG|thumb|alt=Four AC/DC members are shown from stage left; Johnson singing at front, Angus in red uniform with guitar, Stevie further right on guitar and Williams back left on guitar and singing.|AC/DC's [[Rock or Bust World Tour]], performed in [[Barcelona]] in 2015]]

Malcolm became seriously ill in April 2014 and was unable to continue performing; fans speculated that the group could disband.<ref name="aibA9">{{Cite web |first1=Peter |last1=Vincent |first2=Martin |last2=Boulton |date=16 April 2014 |title=AC/DC to Split Over Sick Band Member, According to Rumours |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-to-split-over-sick-band-member-according-to-rumours-20140415-36puy.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418065545/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-to-split-over-sick-band-member-according-to-rumours-20140415-36puy.html |archive-date=18 April 2014 |url-status=dead |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 April 2014}}</ref> However, Johnson stated that despite Malcolm's absence, they would return to Vancouver to record their sixteenth&nbsp;studio album, ''[[Rock or Bust]]''.<ref name="AutoJ4-34">{{Cite web |title=AC/DC Are Not Retiring, Though Malcolm Young is 'Taking a Break' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/apr/16/acdc-not-retiring-brian-johnson |date=16 April 2014 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416224144/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/apr/16/acdc-not-retiring-brian-johnson |archive-date=16 April 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> In July, AC/DC announced that they had finished recording it and that Stevie had replaced Malcolm in the studio.<ref name="YOIkv">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/07/10/acdc-finishes-album-malcolm-young-hospitalized/12472559/|title=AC/DC Finishes Album; Malcolm Young Hospitalized |first1=Korina|last1=Lopez|date=10 July 2014|website=[[USA Today]]|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715045435/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/07/10/acdc-finishes-album-malcolm-young-hospitalized/12472559/|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 September, AC/DC members confirmed that Malcolm had officially retired from performing.<ref name="smhrockorbust">{{Cite web |last1=Vincent |first1=Peter |date=24 September 2014 |title=AC/DC Confirm Malcolm Young's Retirement, ''Rock or Bust'' Album and World Tour |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-confirm-malcolm-youngs-retirement-rock-or-bust-album-and-world-tour-20140924-10lmlf.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925010417/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-confirm-malcolm-youngs-retirement-rock-or-bust-album-and-world-tour-20140924-10lmlf.html |archive-date=25 September 2014 |url-status=live |website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date=3 September 2023 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Malcolm's last show with the group had been on 28 June 2010 in Bilbao, Spain;<ref name="AutoJ4-35">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-malcolm-youngs-last-ever-gig-acdc-2160766 |title=Watch Malcolm Young's Last Ever Gig with AC/DC |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=18 November 2017 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019041338/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-malcolm-youngs-last-ever-gig-acdc-2160766 |archive-date=19 October 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> he died on 18 November 2017 at the age of 64 due to his [[dementia]].<ref name="F8ig3">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/malcolm-young-acdc-guitarist-and-co-founder-dead-at-64-w512164|title=Malcolm Young, AC/DC Guitarist and Co-Founder, Dead at 64|first1=Daniel|last1=Kreps|date=18 November 2017|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118224850/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/malcolm-young-acdc-guitarist-and-co-founder-dead-at-64-w512164|archive-date=18 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Rudd confirmed that there would be another AC/DC tour and that they had no intention of retiring.<ref name="AutoJ4-37">{{Cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Cameron |date=22 August 2014 |title=AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Says the Band and Angus Young Will Never Retire |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-drummer-phil-rudd-says-the-band-and-angus-young-will-never-retire/news-story/3bb28144b012da69fd1508ab7cbc4611 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320031127/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-drummer-phil-rudd-says-the-band-and-angus-young-will-never-retire/news-story/3bb28144b012da69fd1508ab7cbc4611 |archive-date=20 March 2016 |url-status=live |publisher=[[news.com.au]] |access-date=3 September 2023}}</ref>

On 23 September 2014, The band revealed that ''Rock or Bust'', featuring eleven&nbsp;tracks, would be released on 28 November as the first&nbsp;AC/DC album in the band's history without Malcolm on the recordings,<ref name="smhrockorbust" /> nevertheless all its compositions were credited to Angus and Malcolm.{{sfn|Columbia Records|2014}} The album reached number&nbsp;one in Australia,<ref name="AUS RoB">{{Cite web |first1=Steffen |last1=Hung |title=AC/DC – ''Rock or Bust'' |url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=AC/DC&titel=Rock+Or+Bust&cat=a |publisher=Australian Charts Portal (Hung Medien) |access-date=25 May 2024}}</ref> Canada,<ref name="CAN">{{Cite magazine |title=AC/DC Chart History (Canadian Albums) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/ac-dc/chart-history/cna/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=25 May 2024}}</ref> Germany,<ref name="GER RoB">{{cite web |title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - ''Rock or Bust'' |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-255378 |publisher=[[GfK Entertainment charts|GfK Entertainment]] |language=de |access-date=28 September 2023 }}</ref> and the UK.<ref name="OCC" /> The band also announced their [[Rock or Bust World Tour|supporting world tour]], with Stevie as Malcolm's replacement.<ref name="23b5t">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/acdc-to-release-new-album-rock-or-bust-as-guitarist-malcolm-young-retires-from-band/story-e6frfmq9-1227069572711|title=AC/DC to Release New Album ''Rock or Bust'' as Guitarist Malcolm Young Retires from Band |date=24 September 2014 |publisher=[[news.com.au]] |access-date=7 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202070207/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/acdc-to-release-new-album-rock-or-bust-as-guitarist-malcolm-young-retires-from-band/story-e6frfmq9-1227069572711|archive-date=2 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Rudd was charged with threatening to kill, possession of [[methamphetamine]] and possession of [[cannabis]] following a police raid on his home on 6 November 2014.<ref name="yPSCa">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29928698|title=AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd on New Zealand Murder Plot Charge|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=6 November 2014|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112021452/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29928698|archive-date=12 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> AC/DC's members issued a statement clarifying that the tour promoting ''Rock or Bust'' would continue but did not indicate whether or not Rudd would participate or whether he was still a member.<ref name="5QBWO">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/nov/06/what-now-for-acdc-phil-rudd-arrest-malcolm-young-retirement |title=What Now for AC/DC, After Phil Rudd's Arrest and Malcolm Young's Retirement? |date=6 November 2014 |access-date=6 November 2014 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106194218/http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/nov/06/what-now-for-acdc-phil-rudd-arrest-malcolm-young-retirement |archive-date=6 November 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> At a charity signing before the [[Grammy Award]]s, the band were photographed together with Slade. It was later confirmed that he had rejoined for the Grammys and tour.<ref name="Sh8CW">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/13/acdc-confirm-chris-slade-will-replace-phil-rudd-2015-tour |title=AC/DC Confirm Chris Slade Will Replace Phil Rudd on Their 2015 Tour |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307041846/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/13/acdc-confirm-chris-slade-will-replace-phil-rudd-2015-tour |archive-date=7 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2015, Rudd pleaded guilty to drug and threatening to kill charges.<ref name="YTP8b">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ac-dc-drummer-phil-rudd-pleads-guilty-to-drugs-threatening-to-kill-charges-20150421 |title=AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Pleads Guilty to Drugs, Threatening to Kill Charges |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |date=21 April 2015 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=29 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424234240/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ac-dc-drummer-phil-rudd-pleads-guilty-to-drugs-threatening-to-kill-charges-20150421 |archive-date=24 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the band's website showed that Rudd was replaced by Slade on drums.<ref name="CZI9i">{{cite web |last1=Schaffner |first1=Lauryn |date=7 October 2020 |url=https://loudwire.com/acdc-photo-timeline-career/ |title=AC/DC: A Photo Timeline of Their Legendary Career |website=[[Loudwire]] |access-date=8 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010074218/https://loudwire.com/acdc-photo-timeline-career/ |archive-date=10 October 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 9 July 2015, Rudd was sentenced to eight&nbsp;months of [[House arrest|home detention]].<ref name="notsocheap">{{Cite magazine |last=Newman |first=Jason |date=9 July 2015 |title=AC/DC Drummer Phil Rudd Sentenced to Eight Months Home Detention |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ac-dc-drummer-phil-rudd-sentenced-to-eight-months-home-detention-45048/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822201620/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ac-dc-drummer-phil-rudd-sentenced-to-eight-months-home-detention-45048/ |archive-date=22 August 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=26 January 2024}}</ref>

[[File:ACDC with AxlRose WashingtonDC 17-SEP-2016 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|alt=AC/DC with touring, lead vocalist Axl Rose, aged 44, shown in right profile both on screen and centre stage. He wears a black hat, T-shirt and jeans with gold jewellery. Chris Slade on drums is shown on screen but obscured on stage. Stevie is at right stage, Angus in white shirt and dark shorts to Rose's left, Williams in black at stage left.|AC/DC with [[Axl Rose]] (''centre and top left''), performing in Washington, D.C., in 2016]]
On 7 March 2016, the band announced that the final ten&nbsp;dates of the Rock or Bust World Tour would be rescheduled as Johnson's doctors had ordered him to stop touring immediately; he risked complete deafness if he persisted. The ten&nbsp;cancelled dates were to be rescheduled, "likely with a guest vocalist" later in the year, leaving Johnson's future in touring with the group uncertain.<ref name="vhozI">{{cite magazine |last=Roffman |first=Michael |url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/03/acdc-frontman-brian-johnson-ordered-to-stop-touring-immediately-or-risk-total-hearing-loss/ |title=AC/DC Frontman Brian Johnson Ordered 'to Stop Touring Immediately or Risk Total Hearing Loss' |magazine=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence of Sound]] |date=7 March 2016 |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315075949/http://consequenceofsound.net/2016/03/acdc-frontman-brian-johnson-ordered-to-stop-touring-immediately-or-risk-total-hearing-loss/ |archive-date=15 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 April 2016, [[Guns N' Roses]] frontman [[Axl Rose]] was announced as the lead vocalist for the remainder of their 2016 tour dates.<ref name="YMYPd">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ac-dc-confirm-axl-rose-is-new-lead-singer-joining-band-on-tour-20160416|title=AC/DC Confirm Axl Rose Is New Lead Singer, Joining Band on Tour|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=16 April 2016|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=17 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417151941/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ac-dc-confirm-axl-rose-is-new-lead-singer-joining-band-on-tour-20160416|archive-date=17 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Williams indicated he was leaving AC/DC during an interview with ''Gulfshore Life''{{'}}s Jonathan Foerste on 8 July 2016. "It's been what I've known for the past 40&nbsp;years, but after this tour I'm backing off of touring and recording. Losing Malcolm, the thing with [Rudd] and now with [Johnson], it's a changed animal. I feel in my gut it's the right thing."<ref name="onbvU">{{cite web|url=http://www.gulfshorelife.com/July-2016/Still-Rockin-in-Southwest-Florida-ACDC-Cliff-Williams-Brian-Howe-Steve-Luongo/|title=Still Rockin' in Southwest Florida|work=Gulfshore Life|first=Jonathan|last=Foerste|access-date=8 September 2016|date=July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612011918/http://www.gulfshorelife.com/July-2016/Still-Rockin-in-Southwest-Florida-ACDC-Cliff-Williams-Brian-Howe-Steve-Luongo/|archive-date=12 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> At the end of the Rock or Bust World Tour, he released a video statement confirming his departure.<ref name="WilliamsRetirementRS">{{cite magazine|last1=Blistein|first1=Jon|title=AC/DC Bassist Cliff Williams Confirms Retirement in Heartfelt Video|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/acdc-bassist-cliff-williams-confirms-retirement-w441119|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=20 September 2016|access-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829051136/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/acdc-bassist-cliff-williams-confirms-retirement-w441119|archive-date=29 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> His last show with AC/DC before the hiatus was in [[Philadelphia]] on 20 September 2016.<ref name="AutoJ4-39">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-ac-dc-salute-cliff-williams-at-bassists-final-show-121606/ |title=Watch AC/DC Salute Cliff Williams at Bassist's Final Show |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=21 September 2016 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=18 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910204024/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-ac-dc-salute-cliff-williams-at-bassists-final-show-121606/ |archive-date=10 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> After completing the tour in 2016, AC/DC went on hiatus. George Young died on 22 October 2017, aged 70.<ref name="Carmody">{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-musician-george-young-dead-at-71-20171023-gz6f8n.html |title=AC/DC Producer and Easybeats Musician George Young Dead at 70 |last=Carmody |first=Broede |date=23 October 2017 |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023174003/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/acdc-musician-george-young-dead-at-70-20171023-gz6f8n |archive-date=23 October 2017 |access-date=31 December 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref>