Photo: Dino Perrucci
Dark Star Orchestra has enlisted Michael Kennedy of Splintered Sunlight to fill in for guitarist Rob Eaton, after the Grateful Dead cover band’s rhythm guitarist and Weir-inspired vocalist announced a break from the road to focus on his health. Initially, Eaton penned a message to fans and followers with the intention of taking minimal time away from the stage. Today, the band delivered an update indicating that Eaton’s absence will extend through December 6.
The first indicator that something was afoot arrived last Friday in the form of a personal message from Eaton, which read:
To all DSO fans. A few days before I was to head out on our fall tour I went to the hospital with severe chest pain. I was diagnosed with acute cardio peritonitis which led me to spend the night in the hospital.
Despite the recommendation from the cardiologist, I decided to try to make it to tour. Over the past week my health has deteriorated to the point where I’m unable to join my bandmates on stage tonight. I gave it everything I had these past 2 weeks but it finally caught up with me. With additional rest I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to finish the tour starting tomorrow (Saturday).
I’m thankful to my wife and all my band and crew for their love and support through this. I’ll be back stronger than ever with the proper rest and time to heal. Thanks in advance to all our DSO fans out there for understanding and supporting us through this time. At the end of the day health is the most important thing.
I can already feel the positive impact of listening to my body and taking this time off. I look forward to getting back on stage playing the music we all love so very much.
In the latest update, the band shared that Eaton will not participate in their forthcoming Florida run, which picks up tonight, December 3, in St. Augustine. They shared:
Today we announce that Michael Kennedy of Splintered Sunlight will be sitting in for our rhythm guitarist/ vocalist Rob Eaton during our four upcoming Florida performances this week.
Rob is currently taking time off the road to focus on his health. “At the end of the day health is the most important thing. I can already feel the positive impact of listening to my body and taking this time off. I look forward to getting back on stage playing the music we all love so very much.”
Kennedy will perform with us at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on December 3, The BayCare Sound in Clearwater on December 4, and both nights at the FTL War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale on December 5 and 6. We thank all our fans for your understanding and support during this time as we all look forward to Eaton’s return to the stage.
Notably, over the weekend, Eaton’s slot was filled by Tom Circosta, Jeff Mattson and Rob Barraco’s Zen Tricksters bandmate.
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