In a situation that’s become sadly familiar over the last few years, metal mainstay Motörhead has been forced to cancel a series of shows due to concerns about the health of Lemmy Kilmister, the band’s legendarily id-indulging frontman. The group, which released its 22nd studio album, Bad Magic, last week, is in the middle of a tour through Texas. On September 1, the group was three songs into a set in Austin when Kilmister abruptly told the crowd, “I can’t do it,” and walked off the stage, returning shortly after to tell the chanting fans, “I would love to play for you, but I can’t.” Since then, the band’s shows in Houston and Dallas have also been canceled, with Motörhead’s web page citing a recent series of gigs in high-altitude climes like Salt Lake City and Colorado—including an appearance at Riot Fest that had to be canceled—as the source of Kilmister’s current troubles.
Motörhead has had to cancel a number of sets in recent years due to health issues afflicting the famously hard-partying “Ace Of Spades” performer. In 2013, he missed several shows after suffering a hematoma, and reportedly came “close to death” during surgery to install a defibrillator in his chest. The band’s Facebook page issued a statement about the latest slate of canceled shows, along with an assurance that the 69-year-old Kilmister will begin touring again as soon as he’s able:
“Regrettably Motörhead have had to cancel their Dallas and Houston appearances. Saxon will still be playing in each city (please check local media for up-to-date venue information). Lemmy fully intends to resume touring duties as, and when, his doctors give him the all-clear.
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