Yesterday rumors spread across the internet that legendary hard rock band AC/DC was calling it quits after 40 years of playing music. Today, we find out those rumors are untrue. The band hopes to tour in the future and even perhaps put out a new album. However, founding member and rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young (brother of Angus) plans to take a break from the band because of ill health.

AC/DC released this statement today, “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. The band will continue to make music.”

Lead singer Brian Johnson told The Daily Telegraph, “We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver. We’re going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens, we’ll record it.”

AC/DC will continue. That's all that matters. #Done #Dirt #Cheap

— Craig Gass (@craiggasscomedy) April 16, 2014

Fans knew that someone in the band was experiencing a serious health issue. Johnson said in a radio interview in January, “One of the boys is a little sick and I can’t say anything, but he’s getting better.” Now we know that person is Malcolm Young. Johnson later added, “I wouldn’t like to say anything either way about the future. I’m not ruling anything out. One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don’t want to say too much about it. He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We’ve been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much.”

Healing thoughts, prayers, good vibes…whatever you got send 2 AC/DC's Malcolm Young. For he who rocked we salute you! pic.twitter.com/b0r8FQSME7

— Martha Quinn (@MarthaQuinn) April 16, 2014

.@AC_DC is "maybe the last rock band that can legitimately claim to have conquered the world" http://t.co/IvJr6djKw6 pic.twitter.com/ZhpAKJKybB

— Esquire Magazine (@Esquiremag) April 16, 2014

In February, Johnson discussed the possibility of the band putting on a massive 40th anniversary tour that would feature 40 shows in 40 venues around the world. AC/DC hasn’t ruled that out yet, but Johnson isn’t exactly sure about the band’s future plans, “That would be a wonderful way to say bye bye. We would love to do it. But it’s all up in the air at the moment.”

It’s been reported that Malcolm suffered a stroke that resulted in a blood clot in his brain. Although brother Angus is the more well-known and flashy member of AC/DC (he’s the guy in the school uniform), Malcolm has always been considered the group’s heart and soul. Darryl Mason, a writer and music producer, wrote in his music blog about Malcolm, “His passion for the band and its music, and integrity, were so intense, back in the 1970s he used to have fistfights with his younger brother, Angus, in the studio, when disagreements about a sound or riff couldn’t be resolved. Proper punch-ups, teeth were lost, blood was drawn.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons