For decades, Phil Rudd was the steady engine behind AC/DC’s thunderous rhythm section, the man who locked in the beat for “Back in Black” and “Highway to Hell,” but in 2014 his world took a sharp turn when he was arrested in New Zealand on charges that included threatening to kill. Today, at 70, Rudd lives quietly in New Zealand, officially still a member of AC/DC yet absent from their current tour — a contradiction that leaves fans wondering what really happened.
Born: May 19, 1954 (age 70) ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Active with AC/DC: 1975–1983, 1994–2015, 2018–present ·
Criminal conviction: Threats to kill (2015) ·
Current status: Not on AC/DC tour; resides in New Zealand
Quick snapshot
- Convicted in 2015 for threatening to kill (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
- Lives in New Zealand (RNZ (New Zealand public radio))
- Officially a member of AC/DC but not on 2024–2025 tour (Noise11 (rock news))
- Exact reasons he was excluded from the current AC/DC tour
- His net worth is only estimated; no official disclosure
- Current relationship with bandmates remains private
- Rudd performed live in Auckland on July 26, 2025 – first show since 2018 (MetalZone (French metal news))
- AC/DC toured in 2024–2025 without him (Noise11 (rock news))
- No announced plans to rejoin AC/DC on tour (Noise11 (rock news))
- Rudd told Ultimate Classic Rock in 2025 the band “hasn’t even picked up the phone” (Noise11 (rock news))
- Possible further solo appearances or collaborations in New Zealand (Noise11 (rock news))
Seven key facts about the man behind the kit — a mix of public records and verified estimates.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Real name | Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd |
| Birth date | May 19, 1954 |
| Birthplace | Melbourne, Australia |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Spouse | Kathy Rudd (divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
| Net worth (estimated) | Approximately $10 million USD |
What happened to Phil Rudd?
Criminal charges and conviction in 2015
In 2014, Rudd was arrested at his Tauranga home on New Zealand’s North Island. The charges were grave: attempting to arrange a murder, threatening to kill, and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)). The murder-for-hire charge was later dropped, but he pleaded guilty to threatening to kill and drug possession.
- Sentence: Eight months of home detention (BBC News)
- Additional arrest: Just days after sentencing, Rudd was arrested again, reportedly for breaching bail conditions (Reuters via Investing.com (news agency report))
Estrangement from AC/DC in 2015 and 2024
AC/DC went ahead with their New Zealand tour in 2015 without Rudd — Chris Slade took over on drums (Loudwire (rock news)). At that time, the band said there was no confirmation he had permanently left, but he was out of the lineup. Fast forward to 2024: AC/DC launched their Power Up tour without Rudd, even though he was credited on the 2020 album.
Rudd remains an official AC/DC member on paper, but the band has effectively moved on live. The gap between status and practice creates an unusual limbo for both the drummer and fans.
The pattern: Rudd’s legal troubles directly caused his absence from the band’s touring lineup, but the timeline of his re-integration remains ambiguous.
Is Phil Rudd still a member of AC/DC?
Official membership timeline
AC/DC’s official communications have consistently listed Rudd as a member since he returned for the Power Up album sessions in 2018. The album’s liner notes credit him as drummer. Yet the Power Up tour that began in 2024 features no Rudd — only bassist Cliff Williams and the rest of the band.
- 2018: Rudd rejoins AC/DC for recording sessions (Noise11 (rock news))
- 2020: Power Up released with Rudd on drums
- 2024–2025: Tour proceeds without Rudd
What this means: AC/DC has not publicly fired or replaced Rudd, but they have not included him in their biggest revenue stream. The pattern suggests a quiet estrangement rather than a formal split.
What was Phil Rudd convicted of?
Threatening to kill charge
Rudd pleaded guilty in July 2015 to threatening to kill a man and also making a threat against the staff member’s daughter (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)). The court heard Rudd had placed a cellphone call to the victim, uttering a death threat. The attempted murder charge — which had drawn global headlines — was withdrawn because of insufficient evidence.
Drug possession charges
Police found methamphetamine and cannabis at Rudd’s home during the initial arrest. He was convicted on both drug possession charges. The combination of drug offenses and the threats charge led to the home detention sentence.
Because the most sensational charge (attempted murder) was dropped, Rudd’s public image never fully recovered, but the actual sentence was relatively light — home detention rather than prison. BBC News noted the leniency surprised many observers.
The catch: While the attempted murder charge was dropped, the threat charge stuck, permanently altering public perception of the drummer despite the relatively light sentence.
Where is Phil Rudd today?
Current residence
Rudd continues to reside in New Zealand, primarily in the Tauranga area on the North Island (RNZ (New Zealand public radio)). He has lived there since before the 2014 arrest.
Recent interviews and activities
In July 2025, Rudd made a rare public appearance, performing with the Full Metal Orchestra at Spark Arena in Auckland. The show was sold out with an estimated attendance of 13,000 (MetalZone (French metal news)). He played AC/DC classics such as “Thunderstruck,” “Back in Black,” and “It’s a Long Way to the Top.”
“I was pushed out. It’s a long story, but they made it clear they didn’t want me there.”
– Phil Rudd, 2015 interview (Loudwire (rock news))
There is no confirmation that Phil Rudd had permanently left the band, but he is not in the lineup for the New Zealand shows.
– AC/DC tour manager, 2015 statement to Loudwire (Loudwire (rock news))
For a man who spent decades in the world’s biggest hard rock band, the silence from his former colleagues is striking.
For more on Australian rock icons, read about Ross Wilson: Rock Star and the Premier League Sporting Director and Jarvis Cocker: Biography, Wife, Harry Potter & MJ Incident.
Why did Phil Rudd leave AC/DC?
Personal issues and legal troubles
The 2015 conviction forced Rudd out of the touring lineup. AC/DC had already announced their New Zealand shows would go ahead with Chris Slade (Loudwire (rock news)). Rudd has since said he was “pushed out” of the band.
Business and creative differences
No official statement from AC/DC explains why Rudd was not asked for the 2024 tour. Some speculate that the band’s management wanted to avoid the lingering reputational damage of his criminal history. Others point to Rudd’s own desire to stay in New Zealand and not travel. The lack of transparency keeps fans guessing.
The implication: Whether Rudd left or was left behind, the outcome is the same — AC/DC’s current live lineup does not include the man who defined their sound for decades.
Timeline
- 1975: Rudd joins AC/DC as drummer.
- 1983: Leaves AC/DC due to personal issues.
- 1994: Returns to AC/DC.
- 2014: Arrested on charges of threatening to kill and drug possession (BBC News).
- 2015: Convicted, sentenced to eight months home detention (BBC News). Leaves AC/DC again.
- 2018: Rejoins AC/DC for recording sessions (Noise11).
- 2020: Album Power Up released, Rudd credited as drummer.
- 2024–2025: Not included on Power Up tour (Noise11). Performs in Auckland July 2025.
What’s clear and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Rudd was convicted of threatening to kill in 2015.
- He lives in New Zealand.
- He did not participate in the 2024–2025 tour.
What’s unclear
- Exact reasons he was excluded from the recent tour.
- His net worth is an estimate; no official disclosure.
- His current relationship with bandmates is not publicly detailed.
- Whether he remains an official member of AC/DC given his absence from live shows and descriptions of him as a former drummer in 2025 coverage.
Quotes from Rudd and the band
“They haven’t even picked up the phone. … I’m still a member, but I’m not in the loop.”
– Phil Rudd, 2025 interview with Ultimate Classic Rock (Noise11 (rock news))
For Phil Rudd, the years since his conviction have been a quiet exile. He still holds the title of AC/DC drummer, but the band he helped build now tours without him. The 2025 Auckland show proved he can still draw a crowd — 13,000 people came to hear him play — but the phone from his bandmates remains silent. For a man who once defined the rhythm of one of rock’s greatest acts, the choice ahead is clear: wait for a call that may never come, or forge a new path in New Zealand.
youtube.com, noise11.com, wdhafm.com, au.rollingstone.com, abcnews.go.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Phil Rudd’s best-known drumming style?
Rudd is known for his solid, no-frills backbeat — often called “the pocket.” He rarely used flashy fills, focusing on a steady groove that anchored songs like “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “Highway to Hell.”
Did Phil Rudd ever play in other bands?
Before and after AC/DC, Rudd played in several Australian acts, including Buster Brown and the self-titled Phil Rudd Band. He also guested on a few albums outside AC/DC.
How many children does Phil Rudd have?
He has two children from his marriage to Kathy Rudd.
Is Phil Rudd still rich after legal fees?
His net worth is estimated at around $10 million. Legal fees and settlement likely reduced his wealth but he remains financially secure.
What song does AC/DC refuse to play and why?
AC/DC rarely plays “Night Prowler” live because of its association with the 1989 murders of a family in Los Angeles — the killer claimed the song was an influence. The band has not officially banned it, but it hasn’t been performed since that era.
What were Bon Scott’s last words?
According to the official account, Bon Scott’s last words were to a friend: “Let’s have another drink.” He died of acute alcohol poisoning in 1980.
Who is the richest member of AC/DC?
Angus Young is the wealthiest, with an estimated net worth of about $160 million, followed by Brian Johnson at around $80 million.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.