Tauranga musician Phil Rudd has been dumped by AC/DC and replaced by Welsh drummer Chris Slade.

Slade will play in the band for the upcoming Rock or Bust Tour, which will kick-off in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on August 22.

Chris Slade will replace Phil Rudd on the Rock or Bust tour. Photo: Facebook.

Their 13 stadium dates will end on September 28 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Rock or Bust is the first album with guitarist Stevie Young, who replaced his uncle Malcom Young – a founding member who is suffering from dementia.

'This is an amazing opportunity for me,” Slade says on his Facebook page. 'After all, most people don't ever get to play with their favourite band once, left alone twice.”

Slade played with AC/DC at the Grammys last weekend, filling in for Rudd who is currently on bail awaiting a judge alone trial in Tauranga District Court.

'I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support I have been shown personally, on the Facebook page and other social media,” says Slade.

'Not one comment has gone unread and it has been very humbling. Thanks so much.”

Slade is a Welsh rock drummer best known for being the drummer for AC/DC from 1989 to 1994, performing on their 1990 album The Razors Edge.

He has also played with Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Tom Jones, Toomorrow, the Firm and Asia.

AC/DC are due to headline Coachella in California in April, and have been heavily tipped to appear at this summer's Glastonbury Festival in England.