LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ann Wilson, lead singer of rock band Heart, says she has cancer and the band is postponing the remaining shows on its Royal Flush Tour while she undergoes treatment.
Wilson said in a statement Tuesday that she underwent a surgery to remove a cancerous growth and is recovering steadily, but that her doctors urged her to undergo preventive chemotherapy and take time off from performing “in order to fully recover.” That meant the rest of the shows on the North American tour will be postponed to dates in 2025.
“To the ticket buyers, I really do wish we could do these gigs. Please know that I absolutely plan to be back on stage in 2025,” Wilson said in the statement. “My team is getting those details sorted & we’ll let you know the plan as soon as we can.”
All previously purchased tickets for the now-postponed shows will be honored. The rescheduled dates will be announced in the coming weeks, according to the release.
“This is merely a pause. I’ve much more to sing,” Wilson continued in the statement before adding, “Respectfully, this is the last public statement l’d like to make on the matter.”
Over 50 shows at stadium and arena venues in dozens of cities across the U.S. and Canada are impacted by the postponement. Select shows were set to include performances from Def Leppard and Journey, and Heart has not announced whether those bands will accompany them at the rescheduled performances.
The band, led by Wilson and her sister Nancy Wilson on the guitar, canceled the European leg of their tour in May, citing that the singer had to have “a time-sensitive but routine procedure for which the minimum recovery time is six weeks.”
Wilson posted on Instagram at the time of the European shows’ cancellation, writing, “I’m okay! Please don’t worry. I do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. It’s certainly an inconvenience for me.”
The Wilson sisters, who made hits like “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You” and “Alone,” have made music together since the ’70s. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers were honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy in 2023.
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Ann Wilson, the lead singer of the rock band Heart, has disclosed she is battling cancer and as a result, the band is halting the remaining tour dates on its Royal Flush Tour while she receives treatment.
Wilson revealed on Tuesday that she had surgery to remove a cancerous growth and is currently in recovery, but her doctors have advised her to undergo preventive chemotherapy and take a break from performing to fully recuperate. Consequently, the North American tour dates will be rescheduled for 2025.
In a statement, Wilson expressed her regret to ticket holders for the postponed shows and assured them of her intention to return to the stage in 2025. Details regarding the rescheduled dates will be made available in the near future.
All tickets already purchased for the postponed shows will be valid for the new dates. Wilson emphasized that this hiatus is temporary, remarking that she has more songs to perform but also noted that this would be her final public comment on the matter.
The postponement affects over 50 shows scheduled at stadiums and arenas in numerous cities throughout the U.S. and Canada. It is unclear whether accompanying bands like Def Leppard and Journey will be part of the rescheduled performances.
Earlier in May, the band canceled its European tour leg due to a medical procedure required by the singer, citing a minimum recovery period of six weeks. Wilson reassured fans on Instagram about her well-being after the European tour cancellation.
The Wilson sisters, renowned for hits such as “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You,” and “Alone,” have been creating music together since the 1970s. Their contribution to music was recognized with a lifetime achievement award by the Recording Academy in 2023.
