Pearl Jam was forced to cancel their Vienna show Wednesday night after the band’s frontman, Eddie Vedder, suffered a throat injury from a previous show in Paris.
“Due to the extreme conditions at the last outdoor venue outside Paris (heat, dust and smoke from the fires), our singer Ed Vedder’s throat was damaged,” the rock band wrote in part in a lengthy statement shared with their social network. media accounts.
“He has seen doctors and been treated, but so far his vocal cords have not recovered.”
According to the band, Vedder, 57, still wanted to play but has “no throat available” at the moment.
“This is brutal news and terrible timing…for all involved,” the statement continued.
“As a band we are very sorry and have tried to find options to play anyway. So very, very sorry. Tickets are refundable at the time of purchase. Thank you for your understanding.”
It’s unclear how long it will be before Vedder has his voice back, but fans wished him a speedy recovery in the comments section.
“😭😭😭 please take care of those precious pipes,” one fan wrote on Instagram.
“Okay, I have a solution..Let the audience sing and Ed Lip sync!!! Hoping for Ed’s speedy recovery,” another joked.
“I’ve been waiting for 2 years. Just ready to go. And now that news. I miss you. I missed concerts. Get well soon Eddie.❤️❤️❤️❤️,” a heartbroken fan added.
Earlier this year, Pearl Jam nearly had to pull the plug on one of their shows in Oakland, California, after their drummer, Matt Cameron, became ill with COVID-19. Luckily for the band – and their diehard fans – a devoted teenager stepped up to the plate and performed alongside the group in Cameron’s shoes.
18-year-old Kai Neukermans was able to play the hit “Mind Your Manners” with the band before Oakland’s own Richard Stuverud took over the drums for the night.