Lynyrd Skynyrd is going through a challenging time after a series of health emergencies has affected the southern rock band.
Frontman Johnny Van Zant gave some clarity around the band’s announcements on Facebook canceling numerous shows, starting with their Anchorage, Alaska performance (which was supposed to happen on Wednesday, September 25). Following that cancellation, more were postponed in West Valley, Utah; Loveland, Colorado; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The 64-year-old gave fans some insight on the cancelations in a video shared to the band’s Facebook Page the following day on Thursday, September 26. Van Zant mentioned that his youngest daughter, Taylor, is facing some health issues after finding “a mass on her brain.” He went on to say that some of the lump was bleeding, which was causing her numbness.
Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd performs at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre on July 23, 2023, in Alpharetta, Georgia. Van Zant just revealed the reason behind the band’s recent concert cancellations.
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The rock star mentioned how the doctor’s don’t think it’s “the ‘C’ word,” referring to cancer, and that they are “not out of the woods yet” but are “in a lot better position” than initially thought.
Further adding to the situation, he went on to reveal that Lynyrd Skynyrd’s bus driver, Brad Gibson, ended up in the ICU after getting into a scooter accident. Ironically, he was going to get a get well card for Van Zant’s family. “He wrecked the scooter and hit his head and he is in the ICU,” Van Zant relayed to his fans.
Fans left their well wishes for both families in the comments, “I was so looking forward to seeing Sunday in Albuquerque but I totally understand family comes first. Prayers to your daughter and your bus drivers. God is Awesome. 🙏,” said one fan, while another said, “Praying for speedy healing and recovery 🙏.”
The musician finished up the video by asking for positive thoughts and prayers from his fans for both his daughter and bus driver. It is unclear whether the band will reschedule the canceled shows, but they did mention directions on how to receive a refund would be provided soon.
Van Zant has been at the helm of Lynyrd Skynyrd since 1987, stepping in nearly 10 years after the tragic loss of his brother, Ronnie Van Zant, in a plane crash. The last original surviving founding member of the band, Gary Rossington, passed away last year at the age of 71.
