SKID ROW Parts Ways With Singer ERIK GRÖNWALL; LZZY HALE To Fill In
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SKID ROW has parted ways with Swedish singer Erik Grönwall. The band's longtime friend Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM will be taking over vocal duties for the upcoming scheduled four concerts.
Erik has decided that the travel and rigors of the road is not conducive to his overall health and recovery, and wants to focus on a lifestyle that is more amenable for his well-being, healing and family.
The SKID ROW members said in a statement that they are "proud of what they have created and accomplished with Erik over the past two years" and "wish nothing but the best to him and his health. To celebrate the last two years, the band will be releasing a live album that perfectly captures this moment of time in the band's 35-plus-year history, to be announced soon."
Erik said: "I got the opportunity to join this incredible band six months after my treatment against leukemia. And one month after that, I was on a world tour with SKID f**** ROW. Wow! It was a dream come true. However, it proved challenging touring the world with an impaired immune system, which is a result of my bone marrow transplant.
"I respect and understand that SKID ROW is a touring band, but since I can't prioritize my health being in the band, I have decided that it's better for me to step aside.
"I love SKID ROW, I have nothing but respect for the guys in the band but I love and respect my health more. I'm getting stronger and healthier every day but after consulting my doctor I need to allow myself more time to recover, which I can't do as the lead singer of SKID ROW. That's why I have reached the tough decision to move on.
"I want to thank the guys for this incredible opportunity. And I want to thank all the SKID ROW fans who accepted me as the lead singer of this iconic band. Health first!"
Lzzy said: "I'm stepping in for a few dates as the lead singer in SKID ROW! What an honor to call them my friends and a privilege to be sharing the stage with them!
"Erik, I wish you all the magic on your next adventure.
"Now… which leather pants to wear?!!"
SKID ROW shows with Lzzy Hale on lead vocals:
May 17 - Walker's Bluff Casino Resort - Carterville, IL
May 18 - Riverside Casino & Golf Resort - Riverside, IA
May 31 - Nugget Casino Resort - Sparks, NV
June 01 - Hard Rock Live Sacramento - Wheatland, CA
Erik, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021, reflected on his journey in a summer 2022 interview with 80's Metal Recycle Bin. He said: "I wouldn't call myself a religious man [laughs], but I would call myself… After all of this, I'm way more spiritual. I'm, like, 'Okay, who planned this?' I was on my way to a completely different life [before my diagnosis], but it was kind of like someone just nudged me.
"I was scrolling on Instagram a couple of days ago and I just saw a post, and it was a text saying, 'I'm sorry I had to make you uncomfortable, but I had to make you move. God.' And I was, like, 'Oh, fuck, man.' [Laughs] That's what it feels like.
"I'm not sure if everything happens for a reason, but that's the only way I can explain this — getting leukemia, then ending up in my favorite band," he continued.
"When I was on stage in [Las] Vegas [with SKID ROW in March and April of 2022], I was interacting with the audience, and I told them that, 'Do you know how amazing it feels to be here singing the song that started your career?' 'Cause '18 And Life' was the song I auditioned with for the 'Idol' show; that's what got me on 'Idol'. And I told them, 'Do you know how it feels to be here on stage with your favorite band of all time singing the song that started your career?' And someone commented on it, and it was, like, 'Did he just quote the 'Rock Star' movie script?' And I was, like, 'Yeah, I didn't even think about that, but it's that movie," he said, referencing the film in which an average kid from Pittsburgh gets tapped to be the new lead singer for his favorite heavy metal band. "So it's kind of like a movie script.
"It's just incredible," Erik added. "I'm still trying to process it. It feels like I've been in the band for two years. It's been four months. We've done, like, 30 shows in four months. We recorded an album. We started working on a new album. We recorded a music video. Everything has been happening so fast. It's overwhelming in so many ways."
In late March 2022, SKID ROW released its first single with Grönwall, "The Gang's All Here". The song is the title track of the band's latest album, which arrived in October 2022 via earMUSIC.
SKID ROW played its first show with Grönwall on March 26, 2022 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada as the support act on the rescheduled dates for SCORPIONS' "Sin City Nights" residency.
(Source: www.blabbermouth.net)
