Raven have been forced to cancel their European tour after their frontman John Gallagher was rushed for emergency brain surgery last week.
The legendary heavy metal group, who formed in 1974 in Newcastle, took to social media to share their announcement with fans.
It comes as John, 66, was rushed to hospital with an extreme headache that later turned out to be a bleed on the brain.
The tour was due to begin in the Netherlands on September 6 before concluding in Spain on the 26th.
In a statement, a spokesperson told fans: ‘We are very sad to say that we have to postpone the upcoming European Tour due to John’s health.
‘He was admitted to hospital with a massive headache on August 12th. Following a CAT scan, it was determined that he was suffering from a bleed on the brain, Subdural Hematoma.
‘Surgery was planned for the next day, then a further, more invasive surgery was performed on the 19th.
Raven have been forced to cancel their European tour after their frontman John Gallagher was rushed for emergency brain surgery last week
The legendary heavy metal group, who formed in 1974 in Newcastle, took to social media to share their announcement with fans
‘He is now doing good, but of course, needs to recuperate and will not be able to fly on a plane.’
Their statement ended by thanking their management team, while pointing out how the band has cancelled ‘very few’ shows in their 50-year history.
Raven also consists of John’s guitarist brother Mark as well as American drummer Mike Heller.
Meanwhile, in a further update from his hospital bed, John appeared on camera to issue a health update to concerned fans.
Sitting up in bed and looking alert, he said: ‘Hello there everybody. Not the video I wanted to make but here we are.
‘So as you can see I’m in the hospital and there’s my metal horns. I got in on the 12th of August with bad headaches.
‘They put me into surgery the next day, found I had a bleed on the brain so we don’t want any aneurysms and strokes and cr*p like that so they went in, did their thing.’
He continued: ‘Had to go in again on the 19th… a bit more substantially and things are working out, I am getting there but sad as it may seem we’re not going to be able to make the European tour.
The news was broken to fans on social media as a spokesperson confirmed the tour dates would be rescheduled
Following his surgery, John appeared on camera to issue a health update to concerned fans while looking alert and upbeat
He told fans: ‘I’m just not strong enough and as you know our show is all about strength and once I’m ready we’ll come back better than ever’
‘I’m just not strong enough and as you know our show is all about strength and once I’m ready we’ll come back better than ever.’
While Raven did not share information on refunds for affected fans, they added how they’re working with promoters to reschedule the dates.
The tour was also set to see them play in Greece, Austria, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Cyprus throughout September.
Raven were previously forced to cancel shows in 2001 when a wall collapsed and crushed Mark’s legs.
The incident so the band take a four-year hiatus while the guitarist underwent rehabilitation.
When the band returned to the stage in 2004, a number of the American shows took place with Mark in a wheelchair.
Raven’s former band members are Paul Bowden, Paul Sherrif, Mike Kenworthy, Sean Taylor, Pete Shore, Rob Hunter and Joe Hasselvander.