AC/DC Prep Expansive ‘Rock Or Bust’ Tour Book
AC/DC will chronicle their epic and tumultuous Rock or Bust tour in a new book scheduled to be published during the first half of 2017, Ultimate Classic Rock reports.
Billed as the first official AC/DC photo book, The Rock or Bust Tour Book 2015 will feature photographs from Ralph Larmann, who shot the band throughout the nearly 17-month trek. The book will also include facts, figures and tour memorabilia.
Rufus Stone will publish Rock or Bust, which will be available in several different editions, including a “Leather and Metal” collectors version with a slipcase boasting a glowing AC/DC logo. Pre-sale is set to begin next spring, while fans can now register for updates via the book’s website.
AC/DC’s 2015 live schedule opened with a headlining set at Coachella, but the group was already undergoing significant change. Prior to recording their 2014 LP, Rock or Bust, the band announced that rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young’s deteriorating health would prevent him from joining them in the studio, later adding that he would not be returning. In September 2014, Young’s family confirmed he was suffering from dementia.
Meanwhile, drummer Phil Rudd – whom, the band told Rolling Stone, seemed out-of-sorts at the start of the Rock or Bust sessions – was arrested in November 2014 for attempting to procure a murder, drug possession and threatening-to-kill. While the murder-for-hire charge was dropped, Rudd eventually pleaded guilty to the other two and was sentenced to eight months of home detention in July 2015.
AC/DC officially kicked off their Rock or Bust tour in August 2015, but the following March they were forced to reschedule 10 shows after doctors told singer Brian Johnson he needed to stop touring or risk “total hearing loss.” Johnson’s injury eventually forced him to leave of the group and AC/DC brought in Axl Rose as his replacement. Rose made his debut in Lisbon, Portugal – sitting down for the entire concert because he’d fractured his foot during a reunion gig with Guns N’ Roses.
As the group prepared to perform their final shows this fall, bassist Cliff Williams confirmed his retirement from the band. Williams played his final show with AC/DC in Philadelphia this September.