Legendary Australian rock group AC/DC will continue making music but guitarist Malcolm Young will take a break from the band he founded because of ill health, the band said in a statement.

The pioneering group dispelled speculation they would disband after Young, 61, took his leave, saying "the band will continue to make music".

Founding members: Angus (L) and Malcolm Young ( AFP: Christophe Simon, file photo )

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

The band did not say what sort of illness Young was suffering from or whether it would stop touring without one of its founding members.

The Scotland-born Young founded AC/DC with younger brother Angus in 1973.

The band has withstood the loss of key members in the past, in particular when lead singer Bon Scott died in 1980.

Their 1980 album Back in Black is one of the top-selling albums of all time, with more than 20 million US sales alone.

AC/DC most recently completed a 20-month world tour in 2010 in support of their 2008 album Black Ice.

Australian discography High Voltage: February 1975

High Voltage: February 1975 T.N.T: December 1975

T.N.T: December 1975 Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap: September 1976

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap: September 1976 Let There Be Rock: March 1977

Let There Be Rock: March 1977 Powerage: May 1978

Powerage: May 1978 Highway to Hell: July 1979

Highway to Hell: July 1979 Back in Black: July 1980

Back in Black: July 1980 For Those About to Rock (We Salute You): November 1981

For Those About to Rock (We Salute You): November 1981 Flick of the Switch: August 1983

Flick of the Switch: August 1983 Fly on the Wall: June 1985

Fly on the Wall: June 1985 Blow Up Your Video: February 1988

Blow Up Your Video: February 1988 The Razors Edge: September 1990

The Razors Edge: September 1990 Ballbreaker: September 1995

Ballbreaker: September 1995 Stiff Upper Lip: February 2000

Stiff Upper Lip: February 2000 Black Ice: October 2008

ABC/Reuters