Anthony Kiedis Feeling Better, Red Hot Chili Peppers Will Return to Stage at Rock on the Range
On Saturday, May 14, Red Hot Chili Peppers were forced to cancel their headlining gig at the KROQ Weenie Roast in Irvine, Calif., as frontman Anthony Kiedis was rushed to the hospital minutes before the band was set to hit the stage. Considering the alarming amount of rockers who have been lost this year, it sent fans into an immediate panic. The band issued updates along the way and now the best news yet has arrived.
With a promise to return to the stage "this weekend," drummer Chad Smith spoke to Radio X about the singer's condition and confirmed they will perform their headlining gig at Rock on the Range in Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday, May 22. Kiedis was diagnosed with an intestinal flu, leading to the band to also cancel their iHeart Radio show in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 17.
Smith elaborated, "His stomach was killing him [and] It was really scary. So we went directly to the hospital and we were really upset we couldn't play for the fans, but also more worried about him." The members of Red Hot Chili Peppers (minus Kiedis) took the stage for the May 14 show, but had to regretfully inform their fans there would be no music that evening. Bassist Flea took the mic, addressing the crowd, “Anthony is on his way to the hospital right now and we’re unable to play this evening. We are devastated about it. We’re really sad. We love you so much. We live to rock. …. But unfortunately there’s a medical thing that happened and he needed to deal with it.”
An outpouring of support for Kiedis came flooding in from fans. "I really appreciate all the well wishes. People sent so much stuff," Smith beamed. Acknowledging the brutal 2016 the rock world has experienced, he stated, "I know everyone's freaked out when they hear about another musician going into the hospital. It's been such a rough year." The drummer affirmed Kiedis is one the mend, exclaiming, "He's a very strong man and he"ll be back better than ever."
With their new album, The Getaway, slated for a June 17 release, Red Hot Chili Peppers will be gearing up for the summer festival circuit in support of the record. The first single, "Dark Necessities," and can be heard here.
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