Phil Rudd Net Worth: AC/DC, Career & Legal Trouble
Australian drummer and musician Phillip Hugh Norman Rudd, aka Phil Rudd’s net worth, is a whopping $50 million.
Phil is most known for his work as the drummer for AC/DC, a hard rock band that has sold millions of songs and had several hit albums.
Despite a brief sabbatical from 1983 to 1994, the group has been together since 1975 and manages to tour and perform worldwide.
Rudd and the rest of his bandmates were honored in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 for their achievements.
Rudd could not join the band for the 2015 “Rock or Bust World Tour” due to ongoing legal issues in New Zealand, where he resides and was replaced by Chris Slade.
Furthermore, AC/DC confirmed Rudd’s return to their comeback album “Power Up” on September 30, 2020.
Phil Rudd | Quick Facts
Let’s look at quick facts to understand more about Phil Rudd.
| Birth Name | Phillip Hugh Norman Witschke Rudzevecuis |
| Professional Name | Phil Rudd |
| Nick Name | Rudd, Phil |
| Birth Date | May 19, 1954 |
| Age | 70 Years Old |
| Birth Place | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Height | 1.68 m (6 feet 6 inches) |
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lbs.) |
| Religion | Christian |
| Gender | Male |
| Build | Athletic |
| Distinctive Feature | Long Hair |
| Eye Color | Green |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Profession | Musician, Drummer |
| Instrument | Drum |
| Genres | Hard Rock, Blues Rock, Rock and Roll |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Ethnicity | German and Irish descent |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Lisa O’Brien (M. 1983, Div. 2006) |
| Children | 5 |
| Active Since | 1972–1983, 1994–present |
| Merch | Signed AC/DC Gold Record |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
| Last Update | September 2024 |
Phil Rudd | Net Worth and Income
Multi-talented musician and drummer Phil Rudd’s net worth is a whopping $50 million.
His wealth is made up of earnings from his musical profession as a drummer and other endeavors.
AC/DC is one of the best-selling music bands of all time, having sold over 200 million albums worldwide.
Moreover, the net worth of AC/DC is around $350 million.
In 1990, their album “The Razors Edge” sold approximately 6,593,926 copies and earned $8.57 million.
“Ballbreaker” sold around 2,582,232 copies and made around $3.36 million.
The band’s 2008 album “Black Ice” earned $10.4 million from album sales.
Some of the major album sales of AC/DC are given below:
| Albums | Record Sales |
| Rock or Bust (2014) | $2,690,000 |
| Live at River Plate (2012) | $448,500 |
| Iron Man 2 (2010) | $1,570,000 |
| Stiff Upper Lip (2000) | $2,670,000 |
Aside from these albums, the group has also released several singles and a DVD that has sold millions of copies.
Similarly, the band earns a lot of money from their concerts and tours.
In June 2010, the band played on the “Black Ice World Tour,” which grossed $329,060,000 in ticket sales.
Likewise, the band earned $221,100,000 in 2016 from the “Rock or Bust World Tour” ticket sales.
Overall, Phil has had a good career with AC/DC and is well compensated by the band.
Aside from AC/DC, Phil released his first solo album, “Head Job.” On August 29, 2014, he released the album.
Then, in 2017, he began his record tour with his fellow musicians.
Phil Rudd’s Net Worth in Different Currencies
Let’s look into Phil Rudd’s net worth in different currencies, including the cryptocurrency Bitcoin.
| Currency | Net Worth |
| Euro | € 54,762,000 |
| Pound Sterling | £ 45,626,100 |
| Australian Dollar | A$ 79,924,800 |
| Canadian Dollar | C$ 74,985,300 |
| Indian Rupee | ₹ 4,578,600,000 |
| Bitcoin | ฿ 1279.60 |
Phil Rudd | Houses & Cars
Houses
As of September 2024, Phil Rudd’s net worth is $50 million.
Phil lives in Tauranga, New Zealand. He sold his Tauranga seaside property for $4 million in March 2019.
He listed the ground floor property for $1.92 million and the upstairs unit for $2.13 million in 2011.
However, he changed his mind at the last moment but listed it on the market again in November 2018.
Moreover, Phil put the mansion up on the market for an estimated $4,050,000.
Similarly, Rudd also owned a peaceful Australian getaway. The mansion is around 500 miles south of the classic rock band’s old hometown in Sydney.
In 2020, the house was auctioned off for around $1.8–$2 million.
Cars
The drummer’s automobile collection would make any automotive enthusiast jealous.
He holds an extensive collection of luxurious cars he has bought throughout his career.
Rudd’s collection includes two Lamborghinis, a 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost, a 2011 Bentley Mulsanne, and Bentley Supersport.
Likewise, he owns an Audi R8 V10, a 2011 Aston Martin DBS, and a 2010 Mercedes SLS AMG.
His luxury vehicle fleet alone is worth at least $8 to $10 million.
In addition, Phil has an airport hangar where he keeps his MD 520N helicopter. The chopper can cost more than $2.6 million.
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Phil Rudd | Lifestyle, Legal Trouble, and Vacation
Lifestyle
Multi-millionaire drummer Phil Rudd lives a luxurious lifestyle with a net worth of $50 million.
He was born in May 1954 and comes from a German and Irish background. He was born in the Australian city of Melbourne to Lithuanian parents.
As a teenager, Phil began playing the drums and grew serious about having a musical career.
He was a member of various Melbourne bands until joining Buster Brown with future “Rose Tattoo” frontman Angry Anderson.
They only released one album, “Something To Say,” before Phil left to join the “Coloured Balls” in 1974.
Eventually, he joined the AC/DC.
During the 1978 “Powerage tour,” AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott wrote to his sister Valerie that Rudd had “a bit of a psychological breakdown” and spent a lot of time with a psychologist.
It was terrible, but he quickly recovered enough not to disturb the band’s success.
Bon was a good friend of Phil. In fact, when he passed away in 1980, it deeply saddened Rudd.
In 2019, the Western Australian government purchased the letter at auction and planned to display it at the State Library of Western Australia.
Rudd married Lisa O’Brien, a New Zealander, in 1983. They had five kids before divorcing in 2006.
Legal Troubles
Phil was convicted of carrying 25g of marijuana aboard his boat in Tauranga, New Zealand, on December 1, 2010.
However, his cannabis conviction was later overturned because it would have prevented him from going to tour with AC/DC.
Following a police search of his residence on November 6, 2014, Rudd was arrested and jailed for seeking to commit murder and possession of methamphetamine and weed.
The charge of trying to induce a murder was dropped the next day.
Moreover, he pleaded guilty to the remaining charges on April 21, 2015, and one of the two threatening to kill charges was withdrawn.
Rudd was convicted to eight months in home confinement and ordered to pay NZ$120,000 in restitution on July 9, 2015.
His request to be released without a sentence was denied. A subsequent High Court appeal against the conviction was dismissed.
Vacations
Phil enjoys traveling and discovering new locations. He loves taking a ride in his fancy automobile.
As a successful musical performer, he has been to various nations for world musical tours.
Rudd enjoys spending time with his family and friends when he is not working.
In fact, during his vacation, he frequently embarks on a journey.
Phil Rudd | Charity
Phil loves to help the needy and unfortunate.
Rudd sponsored a charity event in 2011, with all revenues benefiting the Christchurch earthquake restoration.
The event, which drew almost 10,000 people, featured auctions of rare AC/DC items, rides in his automobiles, and a meet-and-greet with the drummer.
Furthermore, he has supported “GRAMMY Foundation” and “MusiCares.”
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Phil Rudd | Movies, Investment, and Endorsement
Movies
Aside from music, Phil has appeared in several documentaries and television series.
In 1997, he cameoed in the movie “Private Parts.”
Similarly, Rudd has been featured in documentaries such as “AC/DC: Live at River Plate” (2009), “Let There Be Rock” (1980), and “King of Pop 1975.”
Phil has also acted in television series like “85 Grave Horror Show” (2020), “Cut N’ Dry Talent TV” (2017), “Behind the Music” (2000), and a few others.
Investment
As of September 2024, Phil Rudd’s net worth is $50 million.
Phil has invested in a few businesses and companies to increase his wealth.
His primary investment is all his records and album for his band and solo career. He still earns royalties from the album sale of AC/DC.
On July 30, 2011, the drummer stated that he had purchased and would open a marina restaurant in Tauranga, New Zealand, where he lives.
He started to sell seafood and steaks at the restaurant and was called “Phil’s Place.”
The restaurant temporarily closed in July 2012 and reopened on April 10, 2013.
However, Phil was forced to pay over $70,000 to three ex-staff in 2014 for wrongful termination.
Endorsement
Rudd has endorsed a few brands and companies in his career.
He’s promoted brands including “Paiste Cymbals,” “Sonor Drums,” and “Easton Drum Sticks.”
Furthermore, Phil has endorsed “Rhythm Tech.”
As of September 2024, Phil Rudd’s net worth is $50 million.
Phil Rudd | Career
Phil played in many bands until learning through a buddy that AC/DC was searching for a drummer.
Even though his audition partner backed out, Rudd persisted with his audition and was recruited into the scene as the band’s new drummer.
Rudd’s drumming approach complimented the band’s musical style and became an essential part of AC/DCs sound from 1975 until 1983.
In 1976, the band migrated to the UK and began a rigorous worldwide touring and recording program.
Following the completion of the “Flick of the Switch” album in 1983, he parted ways with the band.
His issues caused the separation and a disagreement with the band’s bass guitarist and the leader Malcolm Young.
Rudd was asked to officially rejoin AC/DC following the taping of the “Big Gun” single in late 1993. Hence, he returned to the band.
Moreover, he appeared on five AC/DC studio albums after rejoining the band.
Some Interesting Facts About Phil Rudd
- Rudd spent his time apart from AC/DC racing cars, flying helicopters, becoming a farmer, and planting crops.
- He is the only current AC/DC member born in Australia.
- Phil used to decorate his hotel rooms with massive Scalextric circuits while on tour.
FAQs
Did Phil Rudd have a heart attack?
Rudd had undergone an emergency operation following a heart attack in 2016, but he is now fully recovered and eager to return to his kit. Phil had a stent implanted through his arm due to the treatment.
Who is the AC/DC drummer now?
Phil is currently the drummer of AC/DC.
When was Phil Rudd’s solo album released?
His solo album was released in 2014.
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