Former AC/DC Drummer PHIL RUDD Cancels European Tour

Former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd and his solo band have canceled their previously announced European tour.

The trek, which was scheduled to run from September 14 through November 6, was called off because of a combination of "a key bandmember" coming down with a virus and "unforeseen key logistical and technical issues," according to a statement released by Rudd's management, Wave 365 Media Limited. "Both Phil Rudd and his band," who were "were fully rehearsed and ready to travel," were "very keen to perform again in Europe and hope this ambition can be fully realized in 2018," the statement adds.

The statement goes on to say that "Phil Rudd remains in good health and circumstances beyond his control have taken place for which we duly apologize for any and all inconvenience caused to all the fans.

"It is our intention to tour Phil Rudd band in May and June 2018 and we would dearly like to reschedule our existing bookings for shows due this period," the statement concludes.

As previously reported, Rudd will release a new solo single, "Sun Goes Down", on September 29. The song was written about a period in Rudd's life when he found himself alone and starting his life again in a new country.

Rudd recently re-signed his long-standing drum sponsorship deal with German drum makers Sonor, signalling his determination to develop and record with his new band and continue what is already a remarkable career. He has also signed a new distribution deal with German company SPV.

Phil Rudd's band:

Phil Rudd - drums
Michael Furness - rhythm guitar
Geoffrey Martin - lead guitar
John Proctor - bass
Allan Badger - vocals

Rudd, who has appeared on all but three of AC/DC's 18 studio albums, recently completed his first solo tour in support of his 2014 solo debut, "Head Job". It was the release of that album that led indirectly to Rudd's arrest and subsequent dismissal from AC/DC, with the drummer allegedly so angry at a personal assistant over the way the record was promoted that he threatened to have the man and his daughter killed.

Rudd revealed in August 2016 that he underwent an emergency procedure after suffering a heart attack. He told The New Zealand Herald: "I was just at home walking around and I started [to] feel, well, just funny. You know how you can feel funny? I had a strange pain in my chest. So my housekeeper took me to the hospital, when they hooked me up and did all these tests, turned out I had a big heart attack... my artery was all blocked up, and they said I had to stay in and have an operation."

Rudd's replacement in AC/DC is Chris Slade, who also did a three-year stint with the group from 1990 to 1993.

Rudd played with AC/DC from 1975 until 1983, and then again from 1994 through 2014. He first appeared on the band's second album, 1975's "T.N.T."