Brian Johnson has debunked rumours that AC/DC are about to retire.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Johnson revealed that the band are planning to get together and write material for a prospective new album, despite the ill-health of one of their members, believed to be rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young.

“We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver,” Johnson told the Telegraph. “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.”

“I wouldn’t like to say anything either way about the future,” he continued. “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.”

Reports broke yesterday [April 15] that the band were due to retire when an anonymous source known as ‘Thunderstruck’ told Australian radio station, 6PR: “I have extremely good contacts in Europe that are very close to AC/DC. I have it on very good authority that one of the band members is quite ill and has returned to Australia with his family.”

The source continued: “AC/DC members have previously made a pact that no band members will be replaced should someone need to leave the band. No more is currently being said, however the particularly ill member of AC/DC’s son has stated that AC/DC may well be over.”

It is rumoured that Malcolm Young has suffered a stroke. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Mark Gable, the frontman of fellow Australian band Choirboys, told ABC Radio: “”From what I understand, and it’s even been confirmed in part by his son Ross (Young), that it would appear Malcolm is unable to perform anymore. It’s not just that he is unwell, it’s that it is quite serious. It will constitute that he definitely won’t be able to perform live. He will probably not be able to record.”

However, Johnson’s new interview with The Telegraph is the first time a band member has addressed the rumours, although Billboard reported that the group’s management and Columbia Records, its current label, had chosen not to comment on the matter.