Malcolm Holmes, drummer for Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, has been released from a Toronto hospital where he has be since collapsing during a show last Saturday.
The band posted on their website "Update: Mal is finally out of hospital in Toronto and flies home next Tuesday. Once again thanks to all who have sent him their good wishes."
While, at the time, it wasn't confirmed why Holmes collapsed, a new message on the website confirms that it was heat exhaustion from a venue that was over 113 degrees (45 Celsius). The band cancelled the balance of their scheduled dates after doctors advised that Holmes not drum for a few months.
The message from www.omd.uk.com:
On Friday 19th July at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, in stage temperatures estimated at above 45 Degrees Celsius, OMD drummer Malcolm Holmes suffered from heat exhaustion that adversely affected his heart. As he has previously experienced serious heart problems, doctors have advised that he does not play drums for at least a few months. The band are not prepared to jeopardise Malcolm's long term health and have, therefore, decided to stop touring for this year.
The remaining 3 shows in the USA along with Rewind Festival (Scotland),Tempo Ciney (Belgium), ERP Remember (Portugal) have been cancelled.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark would like to apologise to all fans who have tickets to the cancelled shows, but are sure that they understand that Malcolm's health must be the priority. The band would also like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support and good wishes for Malcolm during what has been a very uncertain and difficult time.
OMD would also like to publicly thank the Toronto Fire Department Paramedics team for taking such great care of Mal backstage at the Music Hall.
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