AC/DC founding member and guitarist Malcolm Young will take a break from the band due to ill health. Rumors swirled yesterday when an Australian news outlet reported the band was considering retirement. That wasn’t true, however Young will step aside while he recovers from an undisclosed illness.

Young, 61, formed the group in 1973 in Sydney, AUS with his brother Angus. AC/DC’s last record, 2008’s Black Ice, debuted at No. 1 in 29 countries, sold 6 million copies and even earned the band a Grammy for the track “War Machine.” Black Ice was also the second biggest-selling album of the year.

The band took to Facebook to explain the situation:

After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. 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.