Eloy Cancel NEARfest Gig

Eloy have had to cancel their NEARfest Apocalypse appearance due to lead guitarist/singer Frank Bornemann being struck by a delivery van in March while riding his bicycle.

The following was posted on the band's website:

"Dear ELOY FriendsAs most of you probably already know, Frank was hit by a car on a bike, landed in the hospital and needed surgery. Although we are all convinced that he will be fit again in a few weeks, we were nevertheless forced to postpone the entire tour from March to autumn. Of course, tickets remain valid, even where we have to switch to other venues.
Frank has been able to leave the hospital again and sends you his best wishes from his sickbed at home. He also thanks you from the bottom of his heart for the many condolences and get-well wishes. He hasn’t lost his sense of humour, despite the neck brace and leg splint, as he is aware of how lucky he was and cannot wait to make music again. He is very optimistic about being able to start again soon and is looking forward to the upcoming shows where we all want to surprise you with a very special program.

Best wishes
Your ELOY boys
Matze, Hannes, Michael, Bodo & Steve"

And this was posted on the NEARfest website:

"We regret to inform the progressive rock community that the legendary German symphonic prog band Eloy must cancel its planned NEARfest Apocalypse headline appearance due to a serious medical exigency. Back in March, lead guitarist/singer Frank Bornemann was struck by a delivery van while riding his bicycle. Frank’s injuries required surgery, hospitalization, and extensive rehabilitation. Nevertheless Frank was hopeful he could recover in time to perform with Eloy at NEARfest in June. Unfortunately some recent setbacks in his recovery have made this impossible, with doctors verifying that any traveling or gigging could lead to the damage becoming permanent. All the members of Eloy were dearly looking forward to coming to play in the USA for the first time. Airline tickets, work visas, and the necessary backline had already been procured. They, and we, are extremely disappointed that they now cannot perform at NEARfest. But Frank’s long-term health is the paramount consideration here for all of us involved; no concert is worth permanent physical damage. Eloy is hopeful that their already-rescheduled German concert dates can proceed in Autumn 2012, of course depending on the pace of Frank’s continued recovery. Frank asks for your warm thoughts and healing energy as he continues in his difficult rehabilitation. 

Even though we are deeply disappointed, the final NEARfest show must go on and we are unbowed in our aim to bring the festival history to a close in a blaze of glorious progressive music. We are presently in advanced negotiations with a first-class, world-renowned, legendary, headliner-status progressive rock band to fill the Sunday night slot at the NEARfest Apocalypse. We hope to have all the necessary details squared away within the next couple of days, and begin publicity once the ink is dry on the performance contract."

As stated above, Eloy will honor their commitments and will be touring in the Autumn, and european fans will have the pleasure of seeing them live. Here are the european dates:

September 24th, 2012 – Hamburg, Markthalle
September 25th, 2012 – Berlin, Postbahnhof
September 27th, 2012 – Munich, Theaterfabrik
September 28th, 2012 – Pratteln (Switzerland), Z7
September 29th, 2012 – Mainz, Frankfurter Hof
September 30th, 2012 – Stuttgart, Longhorn
October 1st, 2012 – Cologne, E-Werk
October 3rd, 2012 – Hanover, Capitol