Brian Johnson, the frontman of rockers AC/DC has debunked rumors that the band are about to split because of health concerns for rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young. Instead, Johnson revealed that the group are actually planning to get together and write material for a new studio album.

Angus YoungAngus Young Performing with AC/DC

"We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver," he told the Telegraph. "We're going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens, we'll record it."

Johnson did confirm that one member of the band - thought to be Young - has been suffering from ill health but denied that it meant the end of the road for the group.

"I wouldn't like to say anything either way about the future," he said. "I'm not ruling anything out. One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don't want to say too much about it. He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We've been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much."

Earlier this year it was reported that AC/DC were planning a 40th anniversary tour, playing 40 concerts in 40 different venues, though Johnson was reluctant to confirm any concrete plans.

AC/DC MelbourneAC/DC Performing in Melbourne

"That would be a wonderful way to say bye bye," said Johnson. "We would love to do it. But it's all up in the air at the moment.AC/DC is such a tight family. We've stuck to our guns through the Eighties and Nineties when people were saying we should change our clothes and our style. But we didn't and people got it that we are the real deal."

Speculation that the band may be ready to give it up first came about his Young's friends Mark Cable - the former frontman of the Choirboys - discussed his ill health, suggesting he was "unable to perform any more". There were suggestions that Young had suffered a stroke.

AC/DC has previously survived the death of its former frontman BON SCOTT, who died in 1980 after a night of heavy drinking in London. He was replaced by Johnson who had remained lead vocalist ever since. 

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