What IS wrong with Mick? Sickness forces halt to £200m US tour
SIR Mick Jagger was devastated last night after being dramatically forced to postpone The Rolling Stones’ entire American leg of a tour because of a mystery illness.
The singer, 75, was told by doctors he needs urgent medical treatment and should not go on stage.
More than a million fans, who in total have spent an estimated £200million on tickets, were due to watch the band at 17 sell-out venues during the nine-week ‘No Filter’ tour across the US and Canada from next month.
Details of his condition are being kept secret but Jagger, who follows a strict diet and exercise regime, is ‘expected to make a complete recovery’.
The Mail on Sunday understands the illness was detected during an exhaustive medical all the band members undergo prior to tours.
Jagger, a father of eight, apologised to fans on Twitter saying: ‘I really hate letting you down like this. I’m devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can. Once again, huge apologies everyone.’
A source close to the star described the treatment as ‘precautionary’ adding: ‘It’s a setback but he’s fine.’
Fans have been told their tickets will be valid for rescheduled dates, though reorganising a tour of such magnitude presents what sources describe as a ‘logistical nightmare’.
Last night, Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood tweeted to fans: ‘We’ll miss you over the next few weeks, but we’re looking forward to seeing you all again very soon.
‘Here’s to Mick – thanks for your supportive messages it means so much to us.’
The Stones, who formed in 1962, began their latest tour in September 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. It was due to end on June 29 in Oro Medonte, Ontario, Canada.
A statement from the group offered apologies ‘for any inconvenience’ the postponement causes, adding: ‘Mick has been advised by doctors that he cannot go on tour at this time, as he needs medical treatment.
‘The doctors have advised him that he is expected to make a complete recovery so that he can get back on stage as soon as possible.’
It isn’t the first time that the band, who on average gross £7.5million per show, have been forced to scrap a concert because of Jagger’s health. In 2016 he pulled out of a show in Las Vegas owing to what was described as ‘bad laryngitis’.
Two years earlier, following Jagger’s devastation at the suicide of his girlfriend L’Wren Scott, the group cancelled the entire Australasia leg of their world tour. But on that occasion the dates were rescheduled for later the same year.
The misadventures of guitarist Keith Richards, the co-writer with Jagger of hits such as Satisfaction and Brown Sugar, have also caused show postponements and cancellations during the band’s long career. The group had to cancel gigs in 1990 when Richards infected his finger, and the start of a European tour was postponed in 1998 when he fell off a ladder at his home. Some shows in 2006 were also delayed when Richards fell from a coconut tree while on holiday.
Only last week, guitarist Richards was asked about his relationship with Jagger and said: ‘I love the man 99 per cent of the time. Mick knows what I mean and he’ll say the same about me.’
‘We’ll miss you over the next few weeks’