Today, two weeks before they were to hit the road for another leg of their North American tour, Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes cancelled all the dates on the tour due to Page's chronic back problems. On Aug. 16, the faux Zeppelin unit had to cancel three dates (Mountain View and Irvine, Calif., and Houston, Tex.) from the previous leg of the tour due to Page's back. But Page and the Crowes rescheduled those dates for the week prior to the tour's third leg, which was to begin Sept. 23 in Miami, Fla. The cancellations also put an end to the highly anticipated four-night stand (Oct. 3, 4, 6 and 7) where the touring unit was to co-headline with the Who at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

This time Page was ordered by his doctor to rest for six weeks. According to a statement released by the tour's publicist, surgery is a possibility should the ailing guitarist not show any improvement. "Jimmy Page wants to express his great disappointment and distress over letting his fans down as well as the Black Crowes," the statement read. "The Black Crowes send their sincere wishes to Page for a healthy recovery and hope fans will understand."

According to tour organizers, Page and the Crowes are hoping to reschedule the New York shows in December if Page's health permits.

Refunds for ticket holders will be offered at points of purchase.

ANDREW DANSBY
(September 9, 2000)