AC/DC drummer ‘in a pickle’
Angus Young of AC/DC says his band mates have not been in touch with Phil Rudd since he was charged with threatening to kill and possessing methamphetamine and marijuana last week.
Young, 59, said in an interview Thursday that Rudd’s behavior had been somewhat erratic during the recording of their new album. “We haven’t had contact,” Young said. “But he has his people that represent him. He’s got himself in a pickle.”
Rudd, 60, who has been with the band on and off for nearly three decades, was released last week. He is expected to appear in court in New Zealand on Nov. 27.
AC/DC’s new album, “Rock or Bust,” will be released on Dec. 2. They will launch a tour next year.
Young says they will perform without Rudd, if need be. The Australian band also faced a shake-up when guitarist Malcolm Young, 61, who has dementia, announced in September he was leaving the group. Stevie Young, nephew of founding members Malcolm and Angus Young, played guitar on the new album. AC/DC also includes vocalist Brian Johnson.
Roker breaks forecast record
His voice reduced to a croak, Al Roker completed a 34-hour marathon weather forecast Friday on NBC’s “Today” show.
Roker had his marathon certified by Guinness World Records as the longest continuous live weather broadcast. He beat a 33-hour record set in September by Norwegian TV personality Eli Kari Gjengedal. The “Rokerthon” also raised some $70,000 for the USO.
Roker thanked his team and Mother Nature for an active, cold weather pattern over the United States that kept things interesting.
New Jersey honors Gandolfini
Cast members of “The Sopranos” celebrated the New Jersey Hall of Fame induction of the man who played mob boss Tony Soprano. James Gandolfini died in Italy last year at age 51.
Vincent Pastore played a mobster on the HBO show and says Gandolfini was a Jersey guy through and through. In comments before Thursday night’s ceremony in Asbury Park, he said Gandolfini never missed a chance to let people know how great his home state is.
Other inductees include NBC News anchor Brian Williams, jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, chef Alice Waters, author Dorothy Parker, basketball great Patrick Ewing, The Shirelles and former Gov. Jim Florio. Past inductees include Bruce Springsteen, Jack Nicholson, Whitney Houston, Toni Morrison and Buzz Aldrin.