Credit: Brian Bowen SmithBrian Wilson has announced that he needs to undergo back surgery, and must postpone all of his May shows, which were part of the final leg of his Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary Tour.
In a message posted on his official website, the Beach Boys legend says, “I have been having some issues with my back that has very recently gotten worse. It runs in my family, [my late brother] Carl had back problems as well. My doctors have told me that I need to have back surgery immediately. They are optimistic that this will finally relieve the pain.”
Wilson goes on to apologize “for any inconvenience this may cause to everyone who was coming out to see us,” while noting that he will announce makeup dates for some of the postponed concerts very soon.
He adds, “Please know that the music is in my heart and in my soul and me and the boys are looking forward to performing for you very soon.”
Meanwhile, Brian’s cousin and fellow founding Beach Boy Mike Love, who has been estranged from Wilson in recent years, has posted a get-well note on his Facebook page that’s accompanied by an old photo of himself and Wilson playing basketball together.
The message reads, “I know what it’s like to have the (Wilson) back gene. I am sympathetic and empathetic, as I myself have had back problems as early as junior high. I hope one day we’ll be able to do something like this again; great memories. Looking forward to perhaps one day throwing some hoops. Feel better soon Brian.”
Brian’s next confirmed show is a July 15 appearance at the Rock the Shores festival in Colwood, Canada.
Here’s the list of shows that Wilson has postponed:
5/7 — Washington, D.C., The Kennedy Center**
5/10 — Nashville, TN, Schermerhorn Symphony**
5/11 — Nashville, TN, Schermerhorn Symphony**
5/12 — Nashville, TN, Schermerhorn Symphony**
5/15 — Richmond, VA, Dominion Energy Center**
5/16 — Augusta, GA, Bell Auditorium**
5/18 — Clearwater, FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall**
5/19 — Viera, FL, Space Coast Daily Park**
5/20 — Pompano Beach, FL, Pompano Beach Ampitheater**
And here are all the North American dates still on Brian’s schedule:
7/15 — Colwood, BC, Canada, Rock the Shores Festival – Westshore Parks and Recreation lower fields
7/20 — Lincoln, RI, Twin River Event Center*
7/21 — Mount Pocono, PA, Mount Airy Casino*
7/22 — Kingston, NY, Ulster PAC**
7/24 — Wilmington, NC, The Wilson Center**
7/25 — North Charleston, SC, North Charleston Performing Arts Center**
11/28 — Minneapolis, MN, Orpheum Theatre+
11/30 — Hammond, IN, Horseshoe Casino+
12/1 — Northfield, OH, Hard Rock Northfield Park+
12/4 — Englewood, NJ, Bergen Performing Arts Center+
12/5 — Westbury, NY, Theatre at Westbury+
12/7 — Staten Island, NY, St. George Theatre+
12/8 — Wallingford, CT, Oakdale Theatre+
12/11 — Sarasota, FL, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall+
12/12 — Hollywood, FL, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino+
12/15 — Austin, TX, ACL Live at The Moody Theater+
12/16 — Midland, TX, Wagner Noel PAC+
12/17 — San Antonio, TX, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts+
12/20 — Thousand Oaks, CA, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza+
12/22 — Santa Rosa, CA, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts+
12/23 — Reno, NV, Grand Sierra Resort & Casino+
* = Greatest Hits Live!
** = Pet Sounds: The Final Performances
+ = Brian Wilson Presents: The Christmas Album Live
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