NASHVILLE, TENN. (AP) - Kings of Leon singer Caleb Followill is suffering from vocal problems and exhaustion, forcing the band on Monday to cancel its U.S. tour.
The cancellation comes three days after Followill left the stage mid-show in Dallas due to what he called “excessive” and “unbearable” heat. But other members of the family band said over the weekend that its problems go beyond dehydration, something that wasn’t addressed in a Monday statement.
“Thanks to all our true fans for understanding and helping us through this hard time,” Caleb Followill said on Twitter.
Followill’s exit led to vows to replay the show by his brothers, drummer Nathan and bassist Jared, and cousin guitarist Matthew on Twitter. But Jared Followill also acknowledged the band has “internal sicknesses & problems” that go beyond dehydration.
A statement says the band is “devastated, but in order to give their fans the shows they deserve, they need to take this break.” They’ll return to the road in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Sept. 28. The canceled shows will not be rescheduled.
After years of buzz, the Nashville, Tenn., band named for the brothers’ father stormed the international scene with the singles “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody” from their breakthrough album, the multi-platinum “Only by the Night,” in 2008. They released their fifth album, “Come Around Sundown,” earlier this year.
They’ve been bankable touring stars, though not without a few notable problems. They had to postpone some dates earlier this year when Nathan Followill tore his right biceps and labrum while working out. The band also walked off stage in St. Louis last year due to the large volume of pigeon poop falling from the rafters, but returned a few months later to make it up to fans.
Caleb Followill told the crowd repeatedly last Friday that he was too hot and that his voice was suffering for it. At one point he said he was ill and would be back after taking a few minutes to recover, but he never returned.
The Followills, known for their sense of humor and willingness to circle the wagons when criticized, took to Twitter to apologize. Matthew Followill even went so far as to apologize to individual followers.
Jared Followill tweeted Monday that he was “utterly depressed” and that “family has to come 1st.” But then he tried to lighten the mood.
“Don’t jump to conclusions guys,” he wrote in a subsequent tweet. “We’re not breaking up. BRB. Just got a text from Nathan….. Ummm…. Eesh. So about what I just said……. “
Then he posted: “Kidding! Kidding! Not breaking up.”
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