AC/DC confirms illness but won't retire

AC/DC guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young will take a break from the legendary band due to ill health.

The management for the Oz rock icons broke their silence this morning, posting a message with the sad news on the band’s website.

"After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health,” AC/DC’s management said.

“Malcolm would like to thank the group’s diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support.

“In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family’s privacy be respected during this time," they said.

"The band will continue to make music.”

According to reports, the 61-year-old guitarist has brought his family back to Australia while he deals with the illness.

AC/DC’s long-time label Alberts said that not they nor management would shed further light on Young’s illness, “due to the sensitivities of the situation”.

The other members of the band, including Malcolm’s younger brother, lead guitarist Angus Young, are expected to begin recording a new album next month.

AC/DC were due to head into the Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, Canada where they recorded their previous two albums, 2008’s Black Ice and 2000’s Stiff Upper Lip.

In recent days both Accadacca singer Brian Johnson and a friend of the band in Choirboys’ frontman Mark Gable have hinted at Young’s health battle.

It is rare for the notoriously private band’s management to issue public statements.

If AC/DC tour without Malcolm Young, it will not be the first time.

Stevie Young, the nephew of the famous Glasgow-born rockers and son of Alex Young, filled in for the rhythm guitarist during the 1988 US tour for album, Blow Up Your Video.