Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has been forced to cancel a show in Arizona tonight (11th) due to an extreme heatwave currently hitting the western United States.
Dylan had been due to perform with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson in Glendale, but a statement on his official website said: “While we understand that this will cause an inconvenience to those who purchased tickets and were looking forward to the show, the potential for serious heat-related injury resulting from extended exposure in these conditions brought us to this difficult decision.”
Dylan has been on the road in the US since the start of July, and is due to play nearly thirty dates by the time the tour comes to an end in Nevada on the 16th August. He has also recently completed a UK tour this spring. Still one of the hardest working men in rock, the dates are part of the so-called ‘Never Ending Tour’ – a title that refers to Dylan’s almost constant touring since 1988, during which time Dylan has played close to 100 shows a year. The title ‘Never Ending Tour’ became popular after an interview Dylan gave to Q Magazine in 1989, when, after discussing Dylan’s touring habits, the interviewer said: “It’s the never hending tour?” To which Dylan replied: “Yeah, yeah.”
Ticket holders for the cancelled gig in Arizona have been offered a full refund.
Bod Dylan performs in Milan during his Never Ending Tour (2007)