AC/DC drummer won't face murder-for-hire charges after all

Murder-for-hire charges against AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd were dropped, one day after New Zealand prosecutors alleged Rudd hired someone to kill two men.

But only the murder-for-hire charges were dropped. Rudd still faces accusations he threatened to kill someone and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis, according to Rolling Stone.

Drummers ... .

Greg Hollister-Jones -- the Crown Solicitor of Tauranga, New Zealand, where Rudd was arrested -- decided to drop the more serious charges because of "insufficient evidence," according to a press release.

Rudd's lawyer Paul Mabey said in a statement published by the New Zealand Herald that "the charge alleging an Attempt to Procure Murder should never have been laid. The Crown Solicitor's opinion was not sought. The charge is now withdrawn -- within 24 hours of Mr. Rudd's first appearance in Court. Mr. Rudd has suffered unnecessary and extremely damaging publicity as a result of widespread and sensational reporting of a very serious allegation, which on any basis was never justified. The damage to Mr. Rudd is incalculable. Questions arise as to the degree of care taken by those responsible for arresting and charging him with Attempting to Procure Murder."

That's right. Even for a drummer, that sounds pretty serious.

The 60-year-old was arrested Thursday at his waterfront home. His lawyer said the police acted without consulting prosecutors to see if they had enough evidence. Apparently not, though they did allegedly find meth and pot during the raid.

Rudd was facing up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the more serious charges, according to Rolling Stone. The drummer appeared in court Thursday and released on bail.

Reps for AC/DC -- which is slated to release a new album, "Rock or Bust," next month and embark on a world tour in 2015 -- have not commented on the matter.

Mabey said Rudd will fight the remaining charges and the ones for "personal possession of drugs are minor." He could still face up to seven years in jail for threatening to kill someone.

The band recently lost founding member and guitarist Malcolm Young, after it was disclosed he was suffering from dementia. His nephew, Stevie Young, has replaced him.