Drummer’s health crisis prompts iconic 90s rock band to cancel tour

A beloved 1990s rock band is cancelling their highly-anticipated tour after one of its members suffered a medical emergency. 

The band was to embark on their first tour since 2023, but now they’re halting the tour before it started.

Last week, it was announced that a band member experienced a ‘non-life-threatening medical emergency’ during a sound check for a performance at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

They canceled that show last week, but now it seems the band member’s health has not gotten better.

The band announced on social media just a day after cancelling the Mohegan Sun Arena show that they were cancelling the tour. 

Who is the iconic band canceling their tour? It’s none other than Alice in Chains, who broke the news on social media.

A beloved 1990s rock band is cancelling their highly-anticipated tour after one of its members suffered a medical emergency.

Who is the iconic band canceling their tour? It’s none other than Alice in Chains, who broke the news on social media.

A statement explained that after carefully considering the situation and consulting with medical professionals, the decision was made to cancel upcoming festival performances and headline shows by Alice in Chains.

The incident involving drummer Sean Kinney at Mohegan Sun Arena was serious enough to lead to the cancellation of the tour, although no further details about the nature of the incident or Kinney’s current condition were provided. 

‘While we were all eager to return to the stage, Sean’s health is our top priority at this moment,’ the statement read.

Kinney, 58, is the group’s drummer, a co-founding member of the Seattle grunge band since its inception in 1987. 

The group’s statement added, ‘Although the issue requires immediate attention, his long-term prognosis is positive.’

‘We sincerely appreciate your understanding and support at this time,’ the band’s statement concluded.

As of now, the band’s official website only lists one performance on their slate, a sold-out charity farewell show for Ozzy Osbourne on July 5 in Birmingham UK’s Villa Park.

The group hasn’t performed live in over a year, with their last performance in April 2024 at the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas.

‘After careful consideration and following the advice of medical professionals, we’ve made the decision to cancel our upcoming festival performances and the Alice in Chains headline shows,’ the statement began.

The incident at Mohegan Sun Arena involved drummer Sean Kinney, and while no further details about the incident or his current condition was revealed, it’s serious enough to warrant the tour’s cancellation.

Kinney, 58, is the group’s drummer, a co-founding member of the Seattle grunge band since its inception in 1987.

The group (seen in 1990) was formed in 1987 with singer Layne Staley (middle right), guitarist Jerry Cantrell (middle let), bassist Mike Starr (right) and drummer Kinney (left).

They were slated to perform at MMRQ in Camden, New Jersey on May 10, Sonic Temple in Columbus, Ohio (May 11) and Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida (May 16). 

The group also had headlining shows set up in Nashville, Tennessee (May 13) and Dothan, Alabama (May 15).

The group was formed in 1987 with singer Layne Staley, guitarist Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Starr and drummer Kinney.

They broke through with Facelift in 1990 but they were truly put on the map with 1992’s Dirt, featuring hits Would, Them Bones, Angry Chair, Rooster and Down in a Hole.