Metal Anarchy

Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box will be missing the band’s immediate live shows due to illness. During his absence, Sam Wood (Black Star Riders) will fill in.

The band commented:

“We would like to let everyone know that Mick has been taken ill and will not be able to perform the first few shows on the Scandinavian leg of ‘The Magician’s Farewell Tour’ starting in Tampere, Finland this Thursday.

We are monitoring Mick’s progress daily and he will be back on the road as soon as he is fit, and he sends his best along with his sincere apologies to you all.

We have been very lucky to have Sam Wood stand in at the very last minute with Mick’s blessing for the shows Mick cannot make.

We truly appreciated everyone’s understanding in this unfortunate position we are in and hope you can make Sam welcome in this less than easy task for him.

We will keep you updated on Mick’s progress and see you all starting tomorrow.

Bernie, Phil, Russ and Davy.”

Wood added:

“I am beyond honoured to have been entrusted with the role of filling in for the one and only Mick Box on Uriah Heep’s upcoming Scandinavian tour. Mick’s been taken ill at the last minute, so I’ll be treading the boards while he gets back to health.

They are some VERY big boots to fill, and of course, I’m well aware of the weight of how much these songs and their guitar parts mean to people. The last few days have been quite an incredible learning curve! There’s been a lot of practice, moderate existential panic, and a lot of swearing, but I cannot wait to hit the road as part of the Heep family!

Wishing Mick a very speedy recovery – I know how much both the band and the fans will be wanting to see him back up there where he belongs.

First stop is a sold out Tampere tomorrow night – to quote the great man himself, ‘Happy days!’”