AC/DC Cannabis Conviction Overturned

Last December the 56-year-old was convicted of possessing 27 grams of marijuana on his boat and fined NZ$250 (US$190).

But the Tauranga District Court agreed March 31 to wipe his record after Rudd’s attorney argued that the conviction restricted the drummer’s ability to enter territories like North America and Japan.

Judge Alayne Wills agreed that Rudd’s offense was at the “lower end of the scale.” Rudd had to pay NZ$1,500 to cover the prosecutor’s costs.

In additional news, a row broke out in Australia over a four-date tribute show for the late AC/DC singer Bon Scott. The “Long Live Bon Scott” shows, May 25 to June 4, included original AC/DC singer Dave Evans and unrelated bassist Mark Evans.

Also on the bill were hard rock identities Rose Tattoo’s Angry Anderson, Dave Gleeson of Screaming Jets, John Swan of Swanee and Mark Gable of The Choirboys.

Dave Evans told Pollstar that he was dumped from the tour following pressure from Scott’s fan club The Bon Scott Foundation.

Tour promoter Empire Touring confirmed that things “got political.” Evans appeared on AC/DC’s first single “Can I Sit Next To You Girl” and was replaced by Scott in October 1974.

“I knew Bon before he joined AC/DC and I’ve always been respectful of his talent,” he said. “Who cares what the Bon Scott Foundation thinks?”