14 DAY TRIAL // Having recently wrapped a very successful tour in Europe, iconic band Fleetwood Mac was preparing to kick off a new leg of the tour, which would have brought them on stages in Australia and New Zealand. Fans here will have to wait to see them live in concert.
A statement on the band’s official Facebook page announces that all the dates in these two countries have been canceled because bassist John McVie has been diagnosed with cancer.
“Fleetwood Mac who has just completed the European leg of their phenomenally successful worldwide tour has announced the cancellation of their upcoming 14 date tour of Australia and New Zealand,” the statement says.
“John McVie, one of the co founding and original members of Fleetwood Mac is now scheduled to be in treatment for cancer during that period of time,” it adds.
A message to the fans is also included, saying, “We are sorry to not be able to play these Australian and New Zealand dates. We hope our Australian and New Zealand fans as well as Fleetwood Mac fans everywhere will join us in wishing John and his family all the best.”
Fleetwood Mac had a total of 14 dates scheduled for Australia and New Zealand, which would have run through December 7. Afterwards, the band was supposed to perform in Las Vegas on December 30.
Nothing about the type of cancer 67-year-old McVie is battling has been announced on the official channels. Whatever it is, fans of the band are wishing him a speedy recovery and his family the strength needed to overcome this, as it becomes pretty obvious by perusing the replies to the Facebook announcement.
Fleetwood Mac released a 4-track EP in April this year called “Extended Play.” It marked the first release of new music since “Say You Will” in 2003.