The famous rock band, which formed in 1973, is one of the most popular and highest-grossing bands of all time.

Entertainment commentator Peter Ford told radio station 3AW on Tuesday morning that after last year's talk of a tour, nothing has been announced since.

"The suggestion is being put to me that tour will never happen and we will never see AC/DC perform again or record again," he said.

The rumour mill extended soon after to adding that this was due to a terminal illness – of whom, no one is saying.

Reports that the band has a booking at a Vancouver studio on May 1 – again rumoured rather than definitely known from the band, which has never bothered with giving regular updates on its movements for the benefit of the media - both contradict and yet leaves open the possible truth of the rumours.

The booking may suggest a new album is on the cards but it's also possible that circumstances have changed since the studio booking.

Albert Music, the headquarters for AC/DC in Australia since 1973, is virtually in shut down mode to media enquiries.

No one is taking calls or answering emails, let alone talking.

This may be a sign they are as blindsided by the rumour as anyone else and/or trying to confer with the band members and management based overseas.

Or it could be they were caught short before the official announcement and are working out a new media strategy.

Caroline Zielinski and Bernard Zuel

The Age