Fears for Chuck Berry's health

2008-07-29 12:53

Madrid, Spain - Rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry pulled out of two sold-out weekend concerts in Spain at the last minute without any explanation, organisers said on Monday, sparking concerns over his health.

Berry, who has been on a tour of Europe, had already been paid for the two concerts and organisers said they are considering taking legal action.

The American guitarist and singer, who turns 82 in October, was scheduled to perform in Estepona on Spain's Mediterranean coast on Saturday and in the northern city of Leon a day later.

But just one hour before he was to take the stage in Estepona, his agent called concert promoters to inform them that the singer had left the country, leaving behind over 4 000 disappointed fans, organisers said in a statement.

"With only a few concerts scheduled in our country, his rudeness left his promoter and his fans without a concert," the statement said.

Rumours of ill health

While they said no explanation was given for his no-show, British newspaper Daily Mail quoted an unnamed source close to the entertainer in Paris as saying ill health may have been the cause.

"There were rumours that he has not been feeling well during his current tour, and suffered pain on stage at a concert. We are not sure of Chuck's exact whereabouts at the moment," the source said.

Berry, whose hits include Johnny B Goode and Roll Over Beethoven, is viewed as the inspiration to numerous bands including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

He has not released an album of new material since 1979's Rock It but still tours regularly.

- AFP