Guitarist “needed emergency hospital treatment, some of it in intensive care,” Radiohead side project says in a statement. “Mercifully he is now out of danger and will soon return home”
Radiohead side project the Smile have canceled their upcoming European tour after guitarist Jonny Greenwood recently became “seriously ill” with an infection.
“A few days ago, Jonny became seriously ill from an infection that needed emergency hospital treatment, some of it in intensive care,” the trio of Thom Yorke, Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner said in a statement. “Mercifully he is now out of danger and will soon return home.”
The Smile were scheduled to begin the second leg of their summer European tour in support of new album Wall of Eyes on August 7, a stretch of dates that included a number of festival appearances. However, “We have been instructed by the medical team in charge of Jonny’s care to cancel all engagements until he has had time to make a full recovery.”
As a result, the entirety of the month-long European tour was canceled, with the band directing fans to contact their ticket providers for refunds to the festival shows. “We all wish Jonny a speedy recovery,” the band added.
With the Smile’s touring schedule now wiped clean, Yorke — whose score for the Italian film Confidenza was released on vinyl and CD today — won’t return to the stage until October, when he embarks on a rare solo tour focusing on his entire catalog. That monthlong Australasia tour concludes November 26 in Kyoto, Japan.