Bruce Springsteen, Amanda Bynes, Rod Stewart, George Ezra, rapper Jeno and 2 South Korean bands ALL cancel shows because of "illness"
Remember when—back in the 60's and 70's (and 80's, 90's and beyond, up through 2020)—performers often canceled shows because of illness, just like this? Me neither.
UNITED STATES
Bruce Springsteen Health Problems: Singer's Condition Highlighted After Recent Concert Postponement
March 9, 2023
Bruce Springsteen's past health struggles have been revisited following the postponement of his supposed concert in Ohio. Nationwide Arena released a statement on Twitter confirming the postponement of Springsteen and The E Street Band's show at the venue on March 9 due to illness. It did not disclose the exact issue and the identity of the band member who is currently sick. In the past months, several members of the band missed some shows due to COVID, including Soozie Tyrell, Jake Clemons, Nils Lofgren, and Steven Van Zandt. Although it remains unknown whether Springsteen or someone else has been afflicted, talks about the singer's past health issues reemerged. The 2023 tour marked Springsteen and the band's first performance since 2017. Before his comeback, Springsteen faced health issues that almost affected his career. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Springsteen opened up about the throat surgery and depression he went through. For his throat surgery, he revealed that he had to receive an operation to fix the chronic numbness in his left side that affected him whenever he played the guitar. During the procedure, the doctors cut his throat open and tied his vocal cords temporarily so that they could insert the disc into his neck. To allow himself to recuperate, he stopped singing for three months. Although the surgery was "nerve-racking" for him, it was a successful one at the same time. Meanwhile, he has also been very candid about his mental health struggles in the past years. In an interview with Esquire, he said that he experienced two emotional breakdowns when he was 32 and when he reached his 60s.
Amanda Bynes Falls Ill, Kel Mitchell Asks for Prayers
March 16, 2023
Hartford, Conn. - Amanda Bynes was forced to back out of a planned reunion with the All That cast at 90s Con due to an illness. Details on Bynes' condition are unclear. During the All That panel at 90s Con, which PopCulture.com's Michael Hein was in attendance for, Kel Mitchell asked for prayers for his former co-star. "We want her (Amanda) to be happy and healthy," Mitchell said during the appearance. Fans who had booked photo-ops with the Amanda Show and Easy A actress won't be totally out of luck, however. Kenan Thompson, the Saturday Night Live cast member who also starred on All That, will be available in her place. That's 4 Entertainment, the organizer of 90s Con, also confirmed the actress' cancellation to CT Insider. The organization also issued a brief statement on Instagram, noting, "Amanda Bynes is sick and will not be in attendance this weekend. The entire 90s Con team is disappointed and we wish her a speedy recovery."
UNITED KINGDOM
Rod Stewart Falls Ill, Cancels Major Concert
March 17, 2023
Rod Stewart was forced to cancel a concert in Australia at the last moment. According to The Guardian, Stewart took to social media to explain the reason for the cancellation and apologize to fans in Australia. "Hello my friends. I'm absolutely downhearted that I'm disappointing my fans who bought tickets to A Day On The Green," Stewart writes. "Late this morning I was advised that I have a viral infection and my throat is too irritated to sing. I'm only human and sometimes get sick just like you do," he continued. "My greatest joy is performing for you, so I'm doing everything I can to get on the mend and back on stage!" The 78-year-old singer was set to appear alongside Cindi Lauper and New Zealand's John Stevens at the show. His attempts to heal up likely coincide with his scheduled dates in Australia next week, appearing in Adelaide and Sydney among five other dates. His tour will then take him to New Zealand, Mexico, the U.S., Ireland, and then a return to the U.K. before heading to Spain. The gig cancellation was announced before Stewart's message, with Live Nation and Roundhouse Entertainment lamenting the poor turn of events. "We apologise for the disappointment and inconvenience to ticket holders," the statement read. "A further announcement regarding the concert arrangements will be made early next week."
George Ezra pulls out of London O2 gig last minute after shock diagnosis
March 14, 2023
George Ezra has announced his second O2 Arena gig will not be going ahead after consulting doctors. Making the announcement via social media, the singer-songwriter revealed he’d been “incredibly” unwell in the afternoon on Tuesday, March 14. He then consulted a doctor who diagnosed him with acute vertigo. This diagnosis means the singer’s show will not be going ahead. The message read: “Hi everyone, unfortunately George has started feeling incredibly unwell this afternoon. He’s been diagnosed by a doctor as having acute vertigo and as a result we sincerely regret to announce that tonight’s show at the O2 in London will not be able to go ahead as planned."
SOUTH KOREA
Pop Star Has COVID-19, Backs out of Fan Events
March 14, 2023
NCT's Jeno has been forced to back out of several upcoming fan events after he tested positive for COVID-19. The South Korean musician, real name Lee Je-no, "received a rapid antigen test" on Monday, March 13 after he began to feel "unwell," SM Entertainment explained in a statement, per Soompi, confirming that "the results revealed that tested positive for COVID-19." No further updates regarding Jeno's health have been provided at this time, and it is unclear what symptoms he is experiencing.
https://popculture.com/music/news/pop-star-jeno-covid-19-backs-out-fan-events/
Two Pop Groups Suddenly Cancel Major Concerts
March 17, 2023
Fans of a pair of South Korean boy bands are in for more heartbreak than usual. Both CIX and TO1 have canceled major concerts in recent weeks for various reasons, with CIX pulling out of their planned concert in Mexico as part of their Save me, Kill me world tour and To1 canceling their upcoming performance at KCON 2023 Thailand.
CIX was scheduled to perform in Mexico on March 11. However, shortly before they were set to take the stage, MyMusicTaste confirmed the show would not go on as planned "due to organizers' internal issues." In a statement, MyMusicTaste said, per Soompi, "after further internal discussion, we regret to inform you that the CIX 2nd WORLD TOUR IN MEXICO on the following date has been cancelled... We wanted to provide a great concert for all fans and the members of CIX, but it was cancelled due to organizers' internal issues. We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences caused." The statement went on to apologize "for the sudden notice in regard to this matter and appreciate your understanding in relation to this cancellation." The band's scheduled performance in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 14 went on without issue, with CIX next set to perform in Chicago on Thursday, March 16.
Just days after CIX canceled their performance in Mexico, TO1's agency WAKEONE Entertainment announced the group would no longer perform their scheduled stop at KCON 2023 Thailand, which is to be held on March 18 and 19. In a statement, WAKEONE Entertainment told fans, "we regret to inform you that the scheduled appearance of TO1 at KCON 2023 Thailand has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances of TO1's agency. We sincerely apologize to all fans of TO1 who have been waiting for this performance."
https://popculture.com/music/amp/news/two-pop-groups-cix-to1-cancel-major-concerts
They are so healthy thanks to those life-giving injections! Praise the Lord and pass the syringe.
Dancing in the dark. One more booster boss and you'll be tougher than the rest and on fire on the streets of Philadelphia. No retreat, no surrender.