Heavy metal veterans Megadeth have canceled their upcoming tour after lead singer Dave Mustaine was diagnosed with throat cancer. "It's clearly something to be respected and faced head on -- but I've faced obstacles before," Mustaine wrote in a message to fans. "I'm working closely with my doctors, and we've mapped out a treatment plan which they feel has a 90% success rate. Treatment has already begun."
Among those canceled shows was a July 4 date at Summerfest's American Family Insurance Amphitheater with Papa Roach, Pop Evil and Badflower. With less than three weeks left before that show, Summerfest has announced it will not reschedule that date.
Refunds will be available from the original point of purchase. "Our hearts and prayers go out to Dave, his family and crew, at this time," Don Smiley, President and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc., said in a statement. "All of us at Summerfest, along with our fans, extend our support and well wishes for a speedy recovery."
In his statement, Mustaine promised that the band will continue working. "The 2019 Megacruise will happen, and the band will be a part of it in some form," he wrote. "All up to date information will be at megadeth.com as we get it. Megadeth will be back on the road ASAP. Meanwhile, Kiko, David, Dirk and I are in the studio, working on the follow up to Dystopia - which I can't wait for everyone to hear."