By William Jones, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Johnny Marr, previously of The Smiths, may have to cancel his appearance at São Paulo rock festival Lollapalooza on April 6th after falling while jogging and breaking his hand. The show is merely weeks away but with recovery usually taking six weeks it has left things “a bit up in the air,” said the musician.
Marr, 50, is considered by many as one of the most influential rock guitarists of his generation as he and The Smiths shot to fame during the 1980s. Over the last year the Manchester, UK, born guitar player has been promoting his new solo album ‘The Messenger’ which was released February 2013, but it looks like he may miss the opportunity to bring these new sounds to Brazil.
The guitarist’s fracture has left his right hand in a cast leading fans in Brazil to make a get well soon tribute to the musician. Brazilian fans flocked to a group started by a website known as Johnny Marvelous called “virtual plaster” which has seen fans post their signatures on a computerized cast to bid their best wishes to Marr.
In a statement issued to UK music magazine NME, Johnny Marr said: “I was running pretty fast and just went straight over. I banged my shoulder and then realized my hand was in a bad way. Obviously we’re hoping there’s no long-term damage.” Adding, “The plan is to do the Leeds Brudenell shows on March 24 and 25 and then the dates I have in South America [Lollapalooza, São Paulo], as long as I can play the guitar when the plaster comes off.”
Some of the biggest names in music will descend on the São Paulo for the 2014 Lollapalooza festival. Originally conceived by alternative rock legend and Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, the two-day spectacle will take place April 5th-6th in Brazil this year.
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