Scorpions
German rockers the Scorpions have run into health issues amidst their 60th anniversary celebrations, cancelling a pair of South American dates due to a respiratory infection suffered by singer Klaus Meine.
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The group took to social media on the weekend to reveal they would be cancelling their Saturday (April 26) date in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Meine’s health.
“It is with great regret that Scorpions will be unable to perform in Buenos Aires tonight,” the band wrote. “Klaus has contracted a virus and suspected laryngitis and is unfortunately unable to sing. The band send huge apologies to all their beloved fans in Argentina and are extremely disappointed not to be able to play.”
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Now, the group have been forced to cancel another date as Meine’s condition fails to improve, with the band again noting that their appearance at the Monsters of Rock festival in Bogotá, Colombia has now been axed.
“Klaus has still not recovered from the virus and respiratory infection that forced the recent Buenos Aires cancellation for Scorpions and is unfortunately still unable to sing,” a statement read. “The band send massive apologies to all their loyal fans in Colombia and are again extremely disappointed not to be able to play in one of their favourite countries.”
In both instances, the group noted their determination to “make every effort to return” to Argentina and Colombia.
The Scorpions launched their 60th anniversary tour in March, launching with a series of dates in Mexico before appearing in Brazil and Chile. Initially, the shows were scheduled to launch in February with a Las Vegas residency at PH Live at Planet Hollywood. However, these dates were postponed due to drummer Mikkey Dee’s ongoing recovery process following a diagnosis of sepsis.
“We regret to inform you that due to Mikkey Dee’s ongoing recovery from his recent hospitalization, we have made the decision to postpone our Coming Home to Las Vegas Residency to August 2025,” Scorpions wrote at the time. “The health and well-being of our brother is of the utmost importance. We wish Mikkey a full and speedy recovery and look forward to rocking with you all again soon!”
Currently, Scorpions are scheduled to resume their tour with a Ecuador show on May 3, with shows in Mexico to follow days later. A series of European dates throughout June and July will precede their U.S. return in August, where they will perform their postponed Las Vegas residency.
Just weeks after Scorpions drummer Mikkey Dee detailed his near-death experience following a sepsis diagnosis, the band has made the decision to postpone their upcoming Las Vegas residency.
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The residency was originally slated to launch on Feb. 28 and run until March 11 as part of the German band’s 60th anniversary celebration. Performing at PH Live at Planet Hollywood and supported by Buckcherry, the group took to social media late last week to announce their new dates.
“We regret to inform you that due to Mikkey Dee’s ongoing recovery from his recent hospitalization, we have made the decision to postpone our Coming Home to Las Vegas Residency to August 2025,” they wrote. “The health and well-being of our brother is of the utmost importance. We wish Mikkey a full and speedy recovery and look forward to rocking with you all again soon!”
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The new dates will see the Scorpions performing in Las Vegas from Aug. 14 – 23, with all previous tickets honored for the new dates. The group are still scheduled to return to the stage in March, with a Mexico City show set for March 15.
Dee first detailed his health issues in early January, revealing he had been hospitalized following a “very serious” blood infection. He later expanded upon the health scare in an interview with Swedish publication Aftonbladet, explaining that what began as a simple sprain quickly evolved into something far worse on the weekend before Christmas.
“The ankle swelled up like hell, then it took on a weird shape and appearance and looked like an overcooked ham,” Dee said. “I became very ill so I had to go by ambulance to Sahlgrenska and there they found that I had sky-high values, so I became priority one there.
“It was surgery right away, the first of three. They cut away what was dead and infected and badly infested. It was not a good journey I was on… Another day and I’d be playing drums with Lemmy in heaven. I can say that.”
Somewhat coincidentally, his near-death experience took place almost nine years to the day since his Motörhead bandmate Lemmy Kilmister passed away, on Dec. 28, 2015.
Dee has performed with Scorpions since early 2016, joining the band in the wake of Motörhead’s untimely dissolution in late 2016. To date, Dee has only played on one of the band’s albums, providing percussion for their 19th album, 2022’s Rock Believer.
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