Kings of Leon Breaking Up? Group Responds After U.S. Tour Canceled
The Kings of Leon have canceled their U.S. tour, but have insisted they are not breaking up.
After walking off stage during a show in Dallas on July 29, lead singer Anthony Caleb Followill has fueled speculation that the band has internal problems.
The band’s website posted an apology to fans and avoided any mention of internal problems. Instead, it said Caleb Followill’s “suffering from vocal issues and exhaustion” were the reasons for the cancelation.
However, the band’s bassist, Jared Followill, publicly admitted that the band has internal issues when he tweeted: “I love our fans so much. I know you guys aren't stupid. I can't lie. There are problems in our band bigger than not drinking enough Gatorade.”
But he insisted they are not breaking up, tweeting, “Don't jump to conclusions guys. We're not breaking up.”
Canadian fans will be the first to witness if the band will remain intact. Despite canceling their U.S. tour, the band is still scheduled to launch their international tour, beginning with Vancouver on Sep 9. They are scheduled for several dates in Canada before going to England, South Africa, and Australia.
According to an interview in Rolling Stone, the band grew up as the sons of a Pentecostal preacher father who forbade rock n’ roll. They traveled with their father from church to church, who preached the gospel as he secretly struggled with alcoholism.
While the sons were in their teens, their father divorced his wife and left the church, leaving his sons devastated and disillusioned. The two eldest brothers, Nathan and Caleb, soon after moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. They later asked younger brother Jared and cousin, Matthew to join the band, which would go on to sell millions of records and win several Emmys.
In an earlier article about the band on Christian Post, Nathan said that despite prior challenges, the band still believes in God, gave money to churches, and attended service every now and then.
However, they have also been known to rack up thousand dollar bar tabs while partying with supermodels.
“We’re no saints, by no means,” he told Pure Music. “[But] I like to think we’re good people and have good hearts.”
There is no word on if they will schedule a new U.S. tour.