Drummer Phil Rudd has not been playing with AC/DC since his well-publicized legal difficulties that began last year. Rudd lives in New Zealand, and many wondered if he would be rejoining the band when they close out the tour with a couple of shows there in December, provided he's not incarcerated at the time.

According to AC/DC's tour manager, the answer is no. Garry Van Egmond tells the Bay of Plenty Times that Rudd will not be playing the concerts in New Zealand: "Chris Slade will be on drums -- he replaced Phil when he left the band some years back and he has been playing in the Rock or Bust tour worldwide."

As to whether Rudd has left AC/DC for good, Van Egmond says he has "no confirmation that Phil has left the band permanently. All I can say is that Phill will not be playing in the New Zealand concerts."

Van Egmond says he does not know if Rudd will be attending the Dec. 12 show in Wellington and/or the Dec. 15 date in Auckland, and also has no idea if any of the band members will be visiting Rudd when they are in New Zealand.

Back in April, Rudd pleaded guilty to “threatening to kill” charges along with possession of cannabis and meth. His sentencing date was originally scheduled for June 26, but Rudd’s sentencing has been pushed back to July 9.

AC/DC's "Rock or Bust' tour rolls on without Rudd. Their next show is June 19 in Cologne, Germany. The North American leg of the trek begins Aug. 22 in Foxborough, Mass.

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