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AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has been charged with attempting to arrange a murder following a raid on his New Zealand home.
- news.com.au
- 06 Nov 2014
- Entertainment/Music Entertainment
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd in Sydney. Source: News Corp Australia
AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd’s charge of attempting to procure a murder has been dropped.
The musician made headlines yesterday after fronting a New Zealand court accused of hiring a hitman to kill two people.
The 60-year-old, wearing no shoes, said nothing during his brief appearance in Tauranga District Court.
The attempt to procure a murder charge was withdrawn the very next day because there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
PHIL RUDD: The man behind the kit
Phil Rudd arrives at court in Tauranga wearing no shoes. Credit: SunLive.co.nz Source: Supplied
Phil Rudd in court pic.twitter.com/GAYytLkfD9
— tony wall (@tonywalljourno) November 6, 2014 Phil Rudd in court pic.twitter.com/zw4Er9DqRY
— tony wall (@tonywalljourno) November 6, 2014 Cops at Phil rudd's place today pic.twitter.com/jNb9Stu5Mi
— tony wall (@tonywalljourno) November 6, 2014 
He’s been in trouble before: Phil Rudd leaves Tauranga District Court after his conviction for cannabis possession in 2010. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images
Rudd still faces drug charges relating to alleged possession of methamphetamine and cannabis.
Australian-born Rudd has lived in Tauranga for a number of years.
Good old days: ACDC in 2003. From left: Malcolm Young, Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Phil Rudd and Cliff Williams. Source: Supplied
At the request of defence lawyer Tony Rickard-Simms, Rudd was remanded on bail until November 27 when he will reappear in court.
His bail conditions include that he lives at his Bureta home and not contact any of the complainants.
Estranged: Rudd (centre) with his group The Phil Rudd Band Source: Supplied
Rudd is the only Australian-born member of the band. In 2003, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his co-musicians.
He was famously sacked in 1983 after coming into conflict with the band’s founder Malcolm Young, but re-joined in 1994.
Last month, AC/DC fuelled rumours of another falling out with Rudd after sharing a promotional photograph of their new line-up — minus the drummer.
The snap features singer Brian Johnson, bassist Cliff Williams, guitarist Angus Young, and Stevie Young, who has stepped in to replace his uncle Malcolm Young, who is battling dementia.
Rudd recently released a solo album entitled Head Job.
