Rudd-less AC/DC announce tour

AC/DC has announced a tour of stadiums across North America with a replacement for drummer Phil Rudd, who's in Tauranga awaiting trial on charges including threatening to kill.

The Australian hard rock elders will open the tour of the United States and Canada on August 22 with Chris Slade - the band's drummer in the early 1990s - replacing Rudd.

Rudd, who helped record the band's new album Rock or Bust, will go on trial in April on charges of threatening to kill and drug possession.

It's the second major lineup change for AC/DC. Malcolm Young, the rhythm guitarist who founded the band with his brother Angus, has been placed in a care facility as he suffers dementia.