The legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, known for their 1970s hits “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama,” announced on Instagram the cancellation of four upcoming tour dates due to a “sudden emergency illness” affecting singer Johnny Van Zant’s daughter.
The band shared that Van Zant “left the tour to be with her while they continue testing, diagnosis, and treatment.”
Lynyrd Skynyrd, a southern rock group formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1973, celebrated the 50th anniversary of their iconic debut album last year. Despite the tragic loss of several founding members and crew in a plane crash on October 20, 1977, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines, the band has continued performing for over five decades.
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“A couple of days ago, Taylor started feeling numbing on her right side,” Van Zant said in a Facebook video. “She went to the emergency room, they did a CAT scan, and they found a … the only way to say it is a mass on her brain, and some of it was bleeding. That was causing the numbing part.
The canceled shows include performances in West Valley, Utah; Loveland, Colorado; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Fans who purchased tickets will receive refund information from the local promoter soon, according to the band’s Instagram post.
