Spinner

Jane's Addiction Nearly Canceled Lollapalooza Gig

The news of Adam Yauch's cancer and the Beastie Boys canceling their tour has been more than just a headache for festival promoters. As we previously told you, All Points West founder Paul Tollett, who has a 20-year-friendship with the band, was extremely upset when Yauch revealed his illness. Now Lollapalooza founder and Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrell tells Spinner he was equally devastated. "It was very rough news," he says. "For a moment there I kind of broke down when I heard that not only Adam had cancer, but they weren't going to be able to perform. They're not only great performers and great musicians, but they're really fun people to be around and they're really deep souls."

Another band that almost didn't make it was Farrell's own Jane's Addiction. Apparently, the elbow infection that sidelined drummer Stephen Perkins and forced them to cancel their Australian tour left the Lolla gig in a precarious position. "I didn't know it would be cool at all. I went to visit him in the hospital and it looked like he had a water balloon on his elbow," Farrell says. "When he got home he went to the doctor and the doctor said, 'I have to put you in the hospital because of where you've been. You might have flesh-eating disease.'"

Now, very few times are you going to hear someone say, "Luckily it was only a staph infection," but when it's a choice between that and flesh-eating disease, you'll take staph infection every time. As a result, Jane's will be there in Chicago on Sunday night, though it's been a rough road to get there. "We haven't even been able to rehearse, which Steve Perkins is the last guy to call off rehearsals anywhere in the world," Farrell says. "He'll show up anywhere, anytime to play drums. But he was told by the doctors he's got to just play at show time and that's it."

Have no fear though, the band has still been preparing for a show Farrell promises will be legendary. "So we've been rehearsing dancers for Jane's and putting together the show with the other production elements. We're bringing in a whole gang of new production elements, theatrical elements for the live show."

We can't wait.

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Jeni

I beat the odds, not with cancer but with other type of diseases. I was told I would not see 40 when I was in my twenties. I am still working and I just turned 59. It is a painful life and I stay to myself. My daughter is 27 and is my life to live for and I pray to God everyday to give me something to laugh about and if you keep asking GOD to he will hear you....no matter what way you pray he will hear you. Get up everyday if you can and keep moving...keep singing...I wish you no pain.
hear you. Hang in there and pray. I hope you the best!

August 07 2009 at 7:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joe

Hang in there guys, gods speed& may he lay his healing hands upon both you, may god bless.

August 07 2009 at 2:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Darin

Get well soon Adam, and you too Stephen.

August 07 2009 at 12:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jason

Great to hear about Adam's supportive friends & associates. Last thing someone needs when their sick is to worry about business stuff. Get well soon, thoughts/prayers are with you man!

August 07 2009 at 11:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
michael

Adam
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT !! NO SLEEP TILL REMISSION I made it, so can you Godspeed dude

August 07 2009 at 10:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply