The British rock band Deep Purple has officially postponed the remainder of its European and UK tour following a series of last-minute cancellations in Leipzig and Hamburg. The decision stems from a medical emergency involving the group's 81-year-old lead singer, Ian Gillan, who required hospital treatment during the band's stay in Leipzig. Citing medical advice, the band announced that the tour must be suspended indefinitely.
The postponement affects all upcoming concerts following the already cancelled performances in Leipzig on October 31 and Hamburg on November 1. The affected schedule includes shows originally set for Dortmund on November 3, Berlin on November 4, Frankfurt am Main on November 6, and Nuremberg on November 7.
In a personal statement, Gillan expressed gratitude for the well-wishes he has received regarding his recovery. He noted that while he had hoped to complete the tour, doing so would have posed "very serious risks." Consequently, the decision to halt the tour was made jointly with his medical team and management. Gillan also extended his apologies to fans for the inconvenience caused by these developments.
The band reiterated its statement on Instagram, where numerous fans responded with messages of support and wishes for a speedy recovery. Deep Purple, recognized as one of the most famous British hard rock bands, is reportedly already working on rescheduling dates for the postponed concerts. While specific new dates remain unannounced, the band confirmed that tickets purchased for the original shows will remain valid for the replacement events.
Sources: Der Spiegel.