AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd charged with plotting to kill two people

AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd is facing a mess of allegations down in New Zealand: He has been charged with attempting to arrange the murders of two people and threatening to kill, as well as possession of methamphetamine and weed.

Australian-born Rudd, 60, was taken into custody Thursday morning in conjunction with the execution of a search warrant at his waterfront home in Tauranga, according to Tony Rickard-Simms, the attorney who represented the rocker at a same-day hearing. The drummer was released on bail after a short afternoon appearance in Tauranga District Court, where he entered no plea.

“I think this is just all blown out of proportion,” Rickard-Simms said.

Rudd’s regular lawyer said he hadn’t had a chance yet to talk to his client in detail. “All I can say is ... he denies the charges,” attorney Paul Mabey said.

But it looks as if, no matter what happens, the band plans to rock on.

“We’ve only become aware of Phil’s arrest as the news was breaking,” AC/DC said in a statement on its website. “We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year.

Rudd faces up to 10 years behind bars if convicted of attempting to procure murder, Rickard-Simms confirmed. The judge suppressed the names of the alleged intended victims as well as the alleged hitman.

However, the alleged hitman told the Sydney Morning Herald that Rudd had wanted him as a bodyguard after recent threats over disputes with “working girls.”

“The amount he spends on company is like someone’s yearly wage...,” the man told the newspaper. “He’s the Hugh Hefner of Tauranga.”

Rudd has lived in New Zealand since 1983, moving there after being cut from the Australian band. He returned to the group in the early ‘90s and had been expected to go on world tour in support of the new AC/DC album, coming out Dec. 2.

At the end of September, AC/DC lost another original member, 63-year-old rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, who left the outfit because he has dementia.

Rudd is due back in court Nov. 27.

Times staff writer Christine Mai-Duc contributed to this report.

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