Angus, left, and Malcom Young of the hard rock group...

Angus, left, and Malcom Young of the hard rock group AC/DC inaugurating a street named after them in Leganes, near Madrid, Spain, on March 22, 2000. Credit: Getty Images / Christopher Simon

Guitarist Malcolm Young, a founding member of the more than 40-year-old rock band AC/DC, has left the group due to a severe mental-health issue, his family revealed Tuesday.

In a statement, they told People magazine: "Malcolm is suffering from dementia and the family thanks you for respecting their privacy." In April, Young, 61, had taken "a break from the band" because of unspecified "ill health," AC/DC said at the time.

Last Wednesday, the band said that "due to the nature of Malcolm's condition, he will not be rejoining."

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