Drumming News
Less than a week after Alice in Chains abruptly canceled the remainder of their May tour dates due to a medical emergency involving drummer Sean Kinney, the iconic musician has broken his silence—and thankfully, the news is positive.
Taking to the band’s official social media channels on May 15, Kinney assured fans that while the decision to cancel shows was tough, his prognosis is good. “The good news is that I’m going to be fine and I’m going to live,” he wrote. “The bad news (for some of you?) is that I’m going to be fine and I’m going to live.”
Although Kinney chose not to disclose the specific nature of his health issue, citing a desire for privacy, he acknowledged fans’ concern and shared a candid look into his emotional journey upon receiving the diagnosis. “I quickly went through the five stages of grief,” he noted—listing them from denial to acceptance with characteristic humor and honesty.
The band had to cancel a May 8 show at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut at the last minute and subsequently withdrew from all remaining May performances, including high-profile festival slots at Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple. Despite the short notice, Kinney expressed deep gratitude to fans for their patience and understanding.
“It’s not lost on the band and myself that you spend money, make plans, and alter your schedules to come and see us,” he wrote. “It’s deeply disappointing to have had this happen.”
Ultimately, the decision came down to medical advice. “I finally concluded that medical doctors with many hard-earned degrees… might know a bit more about health than a musician with some shiny spray-painted records on his wall,” Kinney quipped.
Looking ahead, Alice in Chains is still scheduled to appear at the highly anticipated “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert for Black Sabbath in July. The massive show, set in Birmingham, will feature the original Sabbath lineup and a stellar cast of metal legends, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Tool.
While fans may be disappointed by the missed shows, Kinney’s recovery remains the top priority—and the overwhelming support from the Alice in Chains community hasn’t gone unnoticed. “The outpouring of love, concern and well wishes has been both extremely humbling and very much appreciated,” he wrote.
As Kinney continues to recover, fans can rest assured: the beat goes on, and Alice in Chains will be back when the time is right.
