Malcolm Young in hospital, new AC/DC LP finished

AC/DC have finished their much-anticipated follow-up to 2008’s Black Ice without the contribution of founding member/rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young.

Frontman Brian Johnson spoke with Classic Rock recently and revealed Young is currently in hospital.

“We miss Malcolm, obviously,” Johnson said. “He’s a fighter. He’s in hospital, but he’s a fighter. We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll get strong again.”

Young’s younger brother and co-founder Angus filled in for him during the band’s bout of recording sessions in Vancouver alongside Malcolm’s nephew Stevie Young.

“Stevie, Malcolm’s nephew, was magnificent,” Johnson told Classic Rock. “But when you’re recording with this thing hanging over you and your work mate isn’t well, it’s difficult.

In April, rumours of the band’s retirement made the media rounds; AC/DC responded with a statement regarding the health of Malcolm Young:

“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.”

Johnson also told Classic Rock that while the band’s 15th album is yet to be titled, he did toy with one particular title: “I wanted to call the album Man Down. But it’s a bit negative, and it was probably just straight from the heart. I like that.”