Music

Red Hot Chili Peppers cancel weenie roast gig due to 'extreme stomach pain'

by Richard Howard

Red Hot Chili Peppers were forced to cancel their headlining set at Saturday’s KROQ Weenie Roast in Irvine, California due to singer Anthony Kiedis suddenly falling ill and being rushed to the hospital shortly before the band was slated to perform. RHCP’s other members (Flea, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer) took to the stage to address the crowd, with Flea explaining the situation:

Thankfully, the inevitable speculation about a drug relapse-related incident or a life-threatening illness was put to rest in a statement from the band explaining that Kiedis’ extreme stomach pain was caused by an intestinal flu. As Burbank-based fans feared, the band’s concert scheduled for tomorrow in that city has been cancelled.

“Due to Anthony Kiedis’ hospitalization from complications from the intestinal flu on Saturday evening, the Red Hot Chili Peppers regretfully must postpone their upcoming concert for iHeart Radio on May 17th. They would like to extend their gratitude to the fans for the outpouring of well wishes. Anthony is expected to make a full recovery soon.”

Attendees were not left high and dry, however, as Weezer turned in an extended set to close the night. Concertgoers were also treated to a surprise appearance by Blink-182.

Following the assurance that a more serious medical issue wasn’t to blame, the coincidental nature of Kiedis’ stomach pain complaints and the title of the annual concert wasn’t lost on the wittier amongst us with one commenter pegging “a backstage chili dog” as the likely culprit for his troubles.

[h/t Rolling Stone]