Flaming Lips multi-instrumentalist Steven Drozd was hospitalized Wednesday for an undisclosed reason, forcing the Oklahoma-bred psychedelic band to cancel a string of gigs, a band spokesperson confirmed to SPIN.com, including a pair of festival gigs: SunFest in West Palm Beach, FL (April 29) and Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, TN (May 1).
UPDATE: Drozd took to Twitter Thursday, writing, “Thank you, everyone, for your concern. I had to do this and I’m getting it together.”
“[Steven] has been hospitalized and is unable to perform,” the spokesperson emailed to SPIN.com. “All immediate shows have been cancelled. Doctors are expecting a complete recovery in a few weeks.”
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Lips drummer Kliph Scurlock took to his Facebook page Wednesday night to address the incident. “Kliph Scurlock wants everybody to know that Steven will be just fine as soon as he gets some rest. He (and the rest of us) really appreciate your kind thoughts and well wishes, but please don’t worry yourselves.” [via Pitchfork]
While the Palm Beach Post broke the news, the Sun-Sentinel reports that local radio station Buzz 103’s DJ Smitty will fill in for the former SPIN cover band. No word yet on a replacement for their Memphis gig May 1. The band is still scheduled to play at the Hangout Music Festival in Alabama (May 15) and at Bonnaroo (June 11), where they are scheduled to perform Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.
Drozd is a longtime member of the Lips, having joined in 1991 on drums. His battles with substance abuse were chronicled in the 2005 documentary The Fearless Freaks, but he’s reportedly been clean for years and a crucial member of the ever-busy recording and performing act.
