Former AC DC star Chris Slade has confirmed he is replacing Paul Rudd for the band's big Grammy Awards performance while the drummer fights a court case in New Zealand.

Slade will re-join the line-up 20 years after he left the group to make way for original drummer Rudd, who was re-admitted a decade after his firing in 1983.

The rock group will debut the new line-up at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, where they are scheduled to perform on Sunday night (08Feb15).

Slade announced the news in a statement posted on his official website, which reads, "This is an amazing opportunity for me. After all, most people don't ever get to play with their favourite band once, let alone twice! I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support I have been shown... It has been very humbling. Thanks so much. We apologise for the secrecy, please understand this was for all the right reasons."

Rudd is facing trial in New Zealand after pleading not guilty to charges of threatening to kill and drug possession. He was originally accused of attempting to procure the murder of two men, but that charge was dropped due to lack of evidence.

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