Dave Grohl, frontman of American rock band the Foo Fighters. Photo / NZH
Dave Grohl, frontman of American rock band the Foo Fighters. Photo / NZH
The Foo Fighters have pulled out of performances at Glastonbury and Wembley Stadium after lead singer and guitarist Dave Grohl broke his leg.
The band have axed all their remaining UK and European dates, including their Friday night slot at Worthy Farm on June 26, after the former Nirvana drummer fell off stage during a concert in Sweden last Friday.
A statement on the band's website said: "Due to injuries sustained in Dave Grohl's fall from the stage during Foo Fighters' June 12 show at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden, doctors have required the cancellation of the remainder of the band's dates in the UK and Europe.
As well as their appearance on Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage, they have also scrapped gigs at Wembley Stadium this Friday and Saturday, Murrayfield in Edinburgh on June 23 and Festivalpark Werchter in Belgium on June 25.
The Foo Fighters had already cancelled this week's appearance at the Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands as well as tonight's concert in St Gallen, Switzerland.
In a message posted on their website alongside pictures of his X-ray, Grohl, 46, wrote that he had flown to London for surgery and had six metal pins inserted in his leg after "dropping about 12 feet, dislocating my ankle and snapping my fibula like an old pair of take-out chopsticks".
Singer of US band Foo Fighters Dave Grohl performs on stage during the band's concert att Nya Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden, on June 12, 2015 before falling from the stage. Photo / AFP
He added: "Here's the not so witty bit... My doctors have advised me to lay low for a while.
"The most important thing now is for me to recover from the surgery, to keep my leg elevated so as to keep swelling down and prevent any infection/complication that could do long term damage. I'm not out of the woods yet, folks...
"Which means, and it kills me to say it... the doctors have told us to cancel shows. I'm really so sorry, guys. You know I hate to do it, but I'm afraid it's just not physically possible for me at the moment. We're doing our best right now to work out a plan, so bear with us. You know we're good for our word. But for now, I need to make sure we have years of gigs ahead of us...
A screen shows singer of US band Foo Fighters Dave Grohl after falling off stage. Photo / AFP
"You have always stood by our band, and we will always stand by you. Like I say at every show, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for you guys. And I mean that. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And I will do everything I can to come back and give you a night to remember for the rest of your lives as soon as possible."
He also had a message for fellow Glastonbury headliner Kanye West, adding: "PS... Kanye... Imma let you have this one... "
A statement on the Glastonbury website said: "We wish Dave Grohl all the best for a full and speedy recovery.
"A new Friday night headliner will be announced soon."
