Richard Ashcroft was injured during a show in Birmingham on Dec. 12 forcing him to postpone two London concerts. The former Verve frontman lost his footing during the performance and took a tumble off the stage resulting in two broken ribs and an injured back.

Ashcroft, however, did not cut the show short. He returned to the stage to complete an encore including a ten-minute version of the Verve's biggest hit, "Bittersweet Symphony." According to his Web site www.richardashcroft.co.uk the London Brixton Academy shows scheduled for Dec. 14-15 will be postponed for February.

Ashcroft's North American tour, already postponed once before back in November, will go on as planned kicking, off in Chicago on Jan. 19 and wrapping up on Feb. 7 in Vancouver.

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(December 15, 2000)