Phil Rudd Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Kill Charges

Former AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd had murder-for-hire charges against him dropped back in November 2014, but that wasn't the end of his troubles: today, Rudd pleaded guilty to "threatening to kill" and drug possession charges, ahead of his scheduled court date that was set for April 21.

On Nov. 5, Rudd was arrested for attempting to hire somebody to murder two people, and at the time of the arrest, the 60-year-old was also in possession of methamphetamine and cannabis. The "murder for hire" charges were dropped the next day, due to lack of evidence according to his lawyer, but the two charges to which he pleaded guilty today remained. Prior to his plea change, Rudd was denying allegations that he made phone calls threatening to kill a former contractor and the contractor’s daughter.

Shortly after Rudd's arrest, AC/DC released a statement that read, "We've only become aware of Phil's arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year."

Rudd's former bandmates seem to have moved on from the troubled drummer, as they rehired Chris Slade, who had previously been a member of the band from 1989-1994, for live performances. That might be tough news for Rudd, who said in December, "I’m going back to work with AC/DC, I don’t care who likes it or who doesn’t. Everyone listens to the wrong people, they should listen to me. I’m a good guy, and I’m a pretty good drummer by the way — ask Angus [Young], he’ll tell you.”