AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd charged with attempted murder

Phil Rudd, longtime drummer for the band AC/DC, has been arrested by authorities in New Zealand and charged with attempted murder and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.

The rocker was arrested during a raid of his home and charged with an attempt to hire someone to kill two unidentified victims.

A spokesman for the Tauranga Central Division of the New Zealand Police confirmed Rudd’s arrest but declined to provide any details of the case. Spokespeople for both AC/DC and Rudd did not respond to requests for comment.

Rudd joined the legendary Australian rock group in 1975 but was fired in 1983. He rejoined the musicians in 1994 and has been with them since that date. AC/DC released a song called “Play Ball” last month, intended as the first track on its upcoming album, “Rock or Bust.” The band recently announced plans for a 2015 world tour despite the retirement of founding member Malcolm Young, due to his dementia.

An intriguing twist to all this: A new press photo of AC/DC was released last month featuring four of the band’s members but not Rudd. When Rolling Stone inquired about Rudd’s absence, a spokesperson merely said the drummer was unable to make the photo session.

UPDATE: Murder-for-hire charges against AC/DC drummer dropped