Australian rock band AC/DC is scheduled to perform at the 57th Grammy Award on Feb. 8, but possibly without longtime drummer Phil Rudd, according to International Business Times.
Rudd, who was arrested in Nov. for charges of threatening to kill and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana, is set to appear in court in New Zealand on Feb 10. The drummer, 60, has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently on bail.
Rudd expressed a strong desire to go back to AC/DC in Dec., according to the Guardian.
"I'm going back to work with AC/DC and I don't care who likes it or who doesn't," he told New Zealand's One News (via the Guardian). "I want my job back and I want my reputation back," he said.
Rudd's current debacle is not the only factor contributing to the likelihood of his absence during the performance of his band, which released its latest album "Rock or Bust" in Dec. His bandmates have also shown displeasure at his erratic behavior both before and after recording the album.
"One minute he was coming, then he wasn't, then he was," lead guitarist Angus Young told Rolling Stone in Nov. "We're not a band that likes to wait around," he said.
The drummer was reportedly 10 days late for the album's recording sessions and was a no-show for photo and video shot in London later on.
"He's got himself into some sort of situation. He's gotta sort himself out. It's not gonna happen overnight. We're gonna move forward," bassist Cliff Williams said.
"It's unfortunate, because he's a great drummer, we go way back. But it was just making it difficult for us. What do we do? You can't plan anything. If anyone says, 'You wanna do this?' It was making it too difficult to move forward," Young said.
In addition to Rudd's erratic behavior, AC/DC has also battled with the departure of founding member and rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young last year. The band announced last year that the guitarist is suffering from dementia.
Young, the older brother of Angus Young, could not participate in the making and recording of the band's last album due to his condition.
