Fleetwood Mac have scrapped their Australian and New Zealand tour dates as co-founder John McVie seeks treatment for cancer. McVie, the Rumours hitmakers’ bassist and the “Mac” in their name, didn’t reveal the type of cancer in an official statement from the group. But Fleetwood Mac said the 67-year-old will be receiving treatment during the time of the band was previously scheduled for a 14-date Down Under stint.
“We are sorry to not be able to play these Australian and New Zealand dates,” Fleetwood Mac said in the statement. “We hope our Australian and New Zealand fans as well as Fleetwood Mac fans everywhere will join us in wishing John and his family all the best.”
The news comes just months after the release of the four-song Extended Play EP, Fleetwood Mac’s first set of new material since Say You Will a decade ago. Christine McVie, keyboardist and singer of some of the band’s better-known tracks (as well as being John’s former wife), briefly rejoined the group in September during a London show.
Fleetwood Mac members have also been active outside their band recently, with Lindsey Buckingham playing guitar on Nine Inch Nails’ Hesitation Marks and Stevie Nicks taking part in Dave Grohl’s Sound City: Real to Reel project.
