Neville Staple Cancels Australian Tour In A 'Hard Hit' For Promoters

5 February 2013 | 1:01 pm | Dan Condon

The ska legend won't be coming to Australia after all.

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The forthcoming tour of Australia from Neville Staple of legendary ska band The Specials has been cancelled, promoters Troubadour Music announced today, due to medical reasons.

The east coast tour was scheduled to happen at the end of next month after being announced a few weeks ago, but Staple has been ordered by doctors to not fly to Australia.

Warren Middleton, manager of The Neville Staple Band, issued the following statement this afternoon.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, regrettably we have had to cancel the Australian tour. This is due to medical stipulations imposed by Neville Staple's doctor, which will restrict Neville being able to fly to Australia. 

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"We apologise to any fans that have booked or were about to book tickets for our shows but this situation is beyond our control.

"The band and Neville thank Fran Daly and Troubadour Music for their support and organisation of the tour and hope they will be able to assist us in arranging an alternative tour, at some point in the future."

But it remains a tough outcome for Daly and Troubadour Music who, in her statement this afternoon, said that the news is shocking and has dealt a "hard hit" to the company.

"This has come as a huge shock to us. For this to happen to a boutique tour company like us is a hard hit and affects us greatly. We apologize to anyone who has purchased tickets and to all those who were working with us on the show."

The following dates are now cancelled. Refunds are available from point of purchase.

Tuesday 26 March – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Wednesday 27 March – The Zoo, Brisbane
Friday 29 March – Notes Live, Sydney
Saturday 30 March – Coogee Diggers, Sydney