Malcolm Young Suffering from Dementia

The news that Malcolm Young would no longer be a member of AC/DC was revealed earlier this week, but it looks like it the guitarist reason for “leaving” was a lot more serious than the band originally led on.

Malcolm, who co-founded the now legendary band with brother Angus, suffered a stroke in April, but according to the Sydney Morning Herald, the former guitarist is suffering from dementia and is receiving full-time care in a Sydney, Australia nursing home.

A press release from the band earlier in the week read, “due to the nature of his condition, he will not be returning to the band.”

Malcolm’s stroke earlier this year began rumors that AC/DC would be dismantling. The rumors ended up being just that with the band revealing that they would be releasing a brand new album later this year. This week’s revelation also brought a new member in the band, but the group decided to keep it “all in the family” by hiring Malcolm’s nephew, Stephen, to fill in on guitar for his uncle.

On top of the new record which has been titled Rock or Bust, their lead single, “Play Ball” will be featured during the Major League Baseball’s postseason games beginning next month. There’s also talk about a world tour scheduled for 2015, but until tour dates are unveiled, it will be just that.

Check out the new song below.

AC/DC Down a Member As New Album is Announced

AC/DC are about to releases a new studio album, but with that good piece of news comes some bad news as well.

Earlier this year, founding member Malcolm Young had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke which started a firestorm or rumors that the band would be dismantling even though a new record was in the works.

The rumors turned out to be just that, rumors, while any talk about Malcolm’s health had been at a minimal until today when a press release was issued confirming what some fans were expecting; Malcolm has departed the band.

“Due to the nature of [his] condition, he will not be returning to the band,” read the press release from the band.

Before those former rumors were able to pick up again, AC/DC announced that Malcolm’s nephew Stephen would be handling all the guitar work on the new record as well as their still-to-be-announced world tour scheduled for 2015.

When asked about the likelihood of Malcolm’s departure being permanent, AC/DC biographer Jesse Finke responded with, “The important thing is we all let Mal be and hope he can recover. We should all expect that Stevie is in the band now.”

Not a complete confirmation that Malcolm may never return to the group.

AC/DC’s new record, Rock or Bust is set to be released on Dec. 2 while the first single from the record, “Play Ball” will soundtrack Major League Baseball’s postseason game beginning next month.

As for the world tour, like we said before, no confirmation or tour dates have been hinted at yet, so we’ll just wait for that.