Blue Traveler announced Friday (Aug. 5) that the band will postpone a series of shows due to an urgent health issue for frontman John Popper.
Popper released a statement revealing that he has to undergo emergency surgery due to a spinal issue.
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“It is with profound regret and acknowledgement that out of necessity I must go under the knife for surgery and I mean fast. It seems that there is an issue with my spine that if treated quickly will ultimately have me up and running in 2 weeks. If neglected as it has been, it would be far worse to the point of paralysis so need to take care of this now,” said Popper.
“I’m only sorry we couldn’t identify the problem sooner and forgo being forced to postpone, reschedule or in some cases cancel upcoming appearance,” Popper continued. “We take any such actions very seriously and can only assure you that a very tight second to my physical health and that of my family, is the quality of our shows and a sense of reliability to you that we all take pride in. I’m afraid now I’m going to have to rely on you for your patience and positive thoughts. I want to thank you all for being with us through all this as well as for your thoughts and prayers. Will keep you posted on my progress.”
Popper tweeted further details about his surgery, revealing the artist was experiencing “drastic weakness in [his] right arm” and has “three vertebrae in my spine in my neck that have long been collapsed.”
Hey everybody… I was really hoping my management would do this but for reasons beyond my explanation,they aren’t posting… So I’ll tell-
— Blues Traveler (@blues_traveler) August 5, 2016
-U myself… For the last year I’d been experiencing drastic weakness in my right arm..It turns out after the MRI could finally be arranged-
— Blues Traveler (@blues_traveler) August 5, 2016
-that I have three vertabrea in my spine in my neck that have long been collapsed…&bc of this I will require immediate surgery to avoid-
— Blues Traveler (@blues_traveler) August 5, 2016
-total paralysis…I was literally months away from such a result…
Sadly this will mean the cancellation of the gigs this weekend in-— Blues Traveler (@blues_traveler) August 5, 2016
-Mankato&Chicago…I breaks my heart to do so…&I’m afraid there will be a few more that will have to follow… The good news is that we-
— Blues Traveler (@blues_traveler) August 5, 2016
-are working to move the dates of our upcoming Wallflower/G-love tour to after the time I can resume…We are hoping the 24th of this month-
— Blues Traveler (@blues_traveler) August 5, 2016
Thirteen shows have been canceled or rescheduled thus far within the month of August, including their set at Ribfest and Taste of Lincoln Ave. Big Head Todd and the Monsters are scheduled to step in for the band at Ribfest.