AC/DC’s 17th studio album will be the first not to feature their founding rhythm guitarist, whose place has been taken by his nephew Stevie Young

AC/DC have announced details of their 17th studio album as well as the permanent departure of their founding guitarist, Malcolm Young.



The new album, Rock or Bust, was produced by Brendan O’Brien and will be released on 1 December. It will be the first AC/DC album not to feature Young, whose role has been taken on the record by his nephew, Stevie.

Earlier this year, the band announced that, owing to illness, Malcolm would be taking a break from his duties. But in the press release for Rock or Bust, the band’s label stated: “Unfortunately, due to the nature of Malcolm’s condition, he will not be returning to the band.”

Rock or Bust will be the first AC/DC album since 2008’s Black Ice, which went straight into the album charts at No 1 in 31 countries, and has sold 8m copies worldwide.



In the US, a track from the album, Play Ball, will be teased from 27 September as part of the Major League Baseball post-season campaign. It is possible, given AC/DC’s history of ball-related double entendres, that the song is not actually about baseball.

Stevie Young will be joining AC/DC for a world tour in support of Rock or Bust in 2015.