CANNES, France (Reuters) - U2 lead singer Bono has undergone emergency surgery on his back in a Munich hospital after being injured while preparing for the next leg of the band's world tour, a spokesperson said Friday.
The 50-year-old from Ireland had been preparing for the North American leg of the "360 Degree" world tour which is due to kick off in Salt Lake City on June 3.
"Bono has today undergone emergency back surgery for an injury sustained during tour preparation training," his spokesperson said.
"He was admitted to a specialist neuro surgery unit in a Munich hospital.
"Bono will spend the next few days there, before returning home to recuperate. Once his condition has been assessed further, a statement will be made regarding the impact on forthcoming tour dates."
After North America, the tour was scheduled to travel to Turin in Italy on August 6. It was not immediately clear how badly the injury would disrupt the group's tour.
The tour earned around $109 million in 2009, according to music journal Billboard, making it the world's most lucrative, and the publication also predicted it would end up being the highest-grossing tour in history.
By some measures the band, with hits like "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Where the Streets Have No Name," is the world's most successful. They have sold more than 150 million records, according to unofficial estimates.
(Reporting by Mike Collett-White; Editing by Steve Addison)
"The band were really looking forward to getting back out on the road until the emergency surgery on Bono's back, which took place in Munich today. We were due to start rehearsals on Tuesday in Salt Lake City and get the show ready for the next leg. There were gonna be some changes and some new material. It's unfortunate that we're inconveniencing fans. We will make plans to reinstate these dates as soon as possible. Obviously, it's been very disruptive for our crew, as well; we have over 400 people converging on Salt Lake City, and some of them have been turned around and told to stay at home until we make our new plan. We hope to get things resolved as soon as possible. Keep watching U2.com and you'll get the information as soon as we can get it out to you. Signing off, this is Paul McGuinness."
http://www.u2.com/news/title/salt-lake-city-postponement
http://media.u2.com/pmg-audio.mp3