Richie Sambora October shows cancelled

Richie Sambora has cancelled his remaining October concerts (New York City, Philadelphia and Toronto) due to laryngitis. The following statement was posted on his website:

NYC, Philly, and Toronto Shows Cancelled
October 17, 2012

At doctor’s orders, Richie’s shows in New York City, Philadelphia and Toronto over the next week are currently cancelled. All tickets can be refunded at point of purchase.

Richie unfortunately had to cancel these performances due to direction from his doctors that he go on full vocal rest, as he is suffering from a case of laryngitis following a couple months of promotion for his recently released solo album Aftermath of the Lowdown, which included a run of sold-out shows in Europe. He is incredibly disappointed to not be able to perform for his fans this month.

“I was really looking forward to getting out there and playing my new record for people.” Sambora said. “Unfortunately, things come up in life that you cannot control. I hope my fans will understand. I’ll definitely make it up to them and look forward to seeing them soon.”

Keep checking back in for updates on rescheduled shows.

Not sure at this stage whether or not the shows in California in November will go ahead.

It was a peculiar morning for me... I'd had an inexplicably sleepless night before getting up an hour earlier than I needed to with a sudden urge to check my social networks... which is when I found out about this.

Hope Richie gets well soon (I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assuming he is sick; however, there has been speculation that poor ticket sales are the real reason and that the Sambora camp is trying to save face). I'm pretty bummed for his fans too, many of whom were travelling to these gigs. There have been reports that the shows will be rescheduled for early 2013, but with a new Bon Jovi album and tour due then, I have my doubts. Even Bon Jovi had to cancel their Perth show in 1995 and didn't make it back again until 2008. But... fingers crossed.