Bon Jovi plays on without Tico Torres after second emergency surgery

September is not turning out to be a good month for drummer Tico Torres of Bon Jovi. Earlier in the month, the band was forced to postpone their Mexico City show when Torres had to have an emergency appendectomy.

According to Bon Jovi's website, Torres was rushed to a hospital in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on Friday, prior to their Rock in Rio Festival performance, for severe stomach pain and will have to have emergency gall bladder surgery. Rich Scannella filled in on the drums as the group soldiered forward with the show.

The announcement also included a note of thanks from Torres:


Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres was rushed to the hospital for a second time with severe pain in his abdomen and will undergo gall bladder surgery. This follows an emergency appendectomy last week. He is expected to return to the stage and the Bon Jovi tour in the very near future.

"Tico Torres has been the heart and soul of our band since we started 30 years ago," said Jon Bon Jovi. "He's also one tough SOB and we look forward to him again pounding away brilliantly at the drums on remainder of this and future tours."

Bon Jovi begins the current leg of their Because We Can tour at "Rock in Rio" in Rio De Janeiro on September 20th. New Jersey native Rich Scannella will fill in for Torres until his doctors clear him to play.

Message From Tico

Hello All,

I would like to say a quick Thank You to all of you who have kept me in your thoughts thus far. There is nothing that can prepare one for a medical emergency but I have been taken especially good care of and would again like to thank all my doctors and health care professionals.

I am very disappointed not to be able to perform but our friend Rich Scannella will stand in for me. You are in good hands.

I will be there in spirit and back on stage in soon

Enjoy the show. #RockinRio

-Tico Torres
Bon Jovi next plays Sao Paulo, Brazil tonight followed by Santiago, Chili on Tuesday, Buenos Aires, Argentina on Thursday and the rescheduled Mexico City show on Sunday. They then return to tour North America.

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