An AC/DC biographer says he doesn't think Malcolm Young will return to the band.
In an interview with Boston-based radio station 100.7 WZLX , Jesse Fink said “I’m not expecting to see Malcolm return.”
AC/DC's next album has been recorded without the band's rhythym guitarist who had to step down due to "illness". Malcolm's nephew Stevie Young is standing in for his uncle on the new record and Fink has said fans should “expect that Stevie Young is in the band now.”
It's a different story to the what front man Brian Johnson's been insinuating in recent interviews. The lead singer told Classic Rock magazine last month that Malcolm is “a fighter...we’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll get strong again.” He's also recently said the band will tour their new album but that they were waiting to see how Malcolm was.
The news broke about Malcolm in April when a statement posted on the band's official website said:
"After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group’s diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support. In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family’s privacy be respected during this time."
That privacy is certainly being respeced as fans still don't know what is actually wrong with the AC/DC founding member, just that he's being treated for an illness.
Malcolm’s band mates even considered calling 2008′s Black Ice follow up, Man Down, in tribute to him.
Jesse Fink's book: The Youngs: The Brothers Who Built AC/DC is out now.
Former bassist with the band Mark Evans said it's "the best book I've ever read about AC/DC".
