Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington is well on his way to a full recovery from emergency open-heart surgery in February, and will hit the road again with the band in June. With a green light from his cardiologist, Rossington and Skynyrd will return to the stage June 13 in Karlsrhue, Germany, on a co-headlining bill with fellow veteran rock act Deep Purple.

"Since his surgery, Gary has done well," Martha Smith M.D. said in a statement about Rossington's convalescence. "However, as expected, he has required a period of rest and rehabilitation. He should complete at least 4-6 weeks of cardiac rehab before returning to work."

Skynyrd, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2003, was originally due to launch its European tour May 29. The group was forced to cancel eight shows when, during a routine examination, Rossington was found to be suffering from coronary artery disease. Those concerts in Belgium, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland will be rescheduled. A Jim Beam-sponsored U.S. tour is in the planning stage.

Also due to Rossington's surgery, "Vicious Cycle," the band's first new studio album in four years, was rescheduled from a planned May 6 release, and will now be issued May 20 via Sanctuary Records. The set's anthemic lead single, "Red White and Blue," is No. 34 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Here are the Lynyrd Skynyrd/Deep Purple European tour dates:

June 13: Karlsruhe, Germany (Rastatt Pagodenburg)
June 14: Bonn, Germany (Museumplatz)
June 15: Kamenz, Germany (Huthbergbuhne)
June 17: Berlin (Wuhlheide)
June 18: Bad Arolsen, Germany (Hessentag)
June 19: Saarbrucken, Germany (Saarlandhalle)
June 21: London (Wembley Arena)
June 22: Birmingham, England (NEC Arena)
June 24: Dublin (The Point)
June 25: Glasgow (S.E.C.C.)
June 27: Lichtenvoorde, Holland (Arrow Classic Rock Festival)
June 28: Munster, Germany (Halle Muensterland)
June 29: Paris (Le Zenith)