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AC/DC To Continue Without Ill Malcolm Young

AC/DC guitarist Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band to focus on his health, the band has said.

An announcement saying the 61-year-old is in "ill health" was posted on the band's Facebook page but no further details were provided.

"Malcolm would like to thank the group's die-hard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support," the statement said.

But the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers said they "will continue to make music", despite rumours they are on the brink of retirement.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, frontman Brian Johnson said the group plans to meet up in Canada next month.

"We're going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas," he said. "If anything happens, we'll record it."

AC/DC also includes drummer Phil Rudd, bassist Cliff Williams and guitarist Angus Young, Malcolm Young's brother.

Their last studio album was 2008's Black Ice. They released a live disc in 2012.

Young, who co-founded the band in Australia, has performed with AC/DC for 40 years.

His friend Mark Gable said he doubted the guitarist would ever record again.

"It's not just that he is unwell, it's that it is quite serious," Gable, frontman of the Australian band The Choirboys, told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio.

"He will probably not be able to record."

Sydney-based music company Alberts, which launched AC/DC's international career and manages the band's music catalogue, did not respond to a request for comment.