Rose TattooAussie rockers Rose Tattoo have cancelled their remaining European tour dates, informing fans that frontman Gary “Angry” Anderson has been hospitalised.
The news was confirmed earlier today via the band’s social media profiles.
Over the weekend, the band were forced to cancel their appearance at this year’s Alcatraz Metal Festival, which was scheduled for Sunday, 9 August.
At the time, a notice on the group’s Facebook page read, “We’re very sorry to announce that today’s Rose Tattoo show has to be cancelled. Angry Anderson is currently in hospital due to a medical issue. Thank you for your understanding.”
Now, the rest of the tour – which started last month – has been called off.
“We are deeply sorry to announce that all remaining shows of Rose Tattoo’s European Tour 2026 have to be cancelled,” the band wrote on Facebook on Monday evening (10 August).
Their statement continued, “Angry Anderson is currently in hospital due to a medical issue.
“We are absolutely devastated that we cannot continue this tour and share these remaining shows with you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the love, messages and support you have already sent Angry and the band.”
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Asking fans to respect Anderson and his family’s privacy, Rose Tattoo wrote that tickets for the cancelled shows “can be returned at the respective point of purchase.”
They concluded, “Thank you for your understanding, your love and your incredible support.”
Rose Tattoo were scheduled to tour across Europe for the rest of the month.
Last year, Anderson revealed that 2026 would be the final year of Rose Tattoo – a fitting time to cap off their storied career, as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.
“Nearly 50 years later and we wrap it up next year, ‘26, for good,” Anderson told 3AW’s Darren James and Lee Simon.
“We will be 50 years old in ’26 on New Year’s Eve,” he continued. “I am proud to say, because I have survived all the original members – and a few along the way – we have achieved what we set out to achieve. At the end of the day, if you can say that, you are a lucky man.”
Rose Tattoo first formed in Sydney in 1976, releasing five albums before disbanding in 1987. Throughout that initial decade, the group were constant fixtures on the Australian charts thanks to albums such as 1978's self-titled debut, 1981's Assault & Battery, and 1982's Scarred For Life, which peaked at #11 on the ARIA chart.
Meanwhile, singles such as Bad Boy For Love, We Can't Be Beaten, Born To Be Wild, and Calling were enough to be influential for groups such as Guns N’ Roses, who even covered the song Nice Boys on their 1986 EP Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide.
Following a brief reunion in 1992 to support Guns N' Roses, Rose Tattoo again split the following year, but have been active again since 1998, recording an additional four albums, with 2020's Outlaws being their last. In 2006, the group were also inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
