Steve Miller Band Cancels U.S. Tour Because of ‘Extreme’ Weather

If you had plans to see the Steve Miller Band this summer, it’s time to make new plans.

In a July 16 Instagram post, lead singer Steve Miller, 81, said his legendary rock group has “cancelled all of our upcoming tour dates” because of unpredictable weather patterns across the U.S.

“The combination of extreme heat, unpredictable flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and massive forest fires make these risks for you our audience, the band and the crew unacceptable,” Miller wrote in the post. “You can blame it on the weather. ... The tour is cancelled.”

Scientists say climate change fuels extreme weather, causing storms to unleash more rain and sending temperatures soaring to dangerous heights. This makes it harder to plan outdoor events. The atmosphere can hold higher amounts of moisture as it warms, resulting in storms dumping heavier amounts of rain compared with storms of the past.​​

“Everyone wants to see their favorite artist, and that’s still possible. You just have to best mitigate weather risks,” Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather, told The Associated Press. “For example, the doors may open an hour late in order to ensure thunderstorms have moved sufficiently away from the venue so the show can go on safely.”

Heat-related deaths have increased in recent years, with approximately 2,302 occurring in 2023, up from 1,722 in 2022, according to federal data, though other research suggests the number is much higher. A study by Duke University researchers estimates that 12,000 Americans die annually from heat-related causes.

Regardless of the total, most people who die from the heat are over age 50, the National Institute on Aging states. Older adults have more difficulty cooling down their bodies and staying hydrated, and they often have other medical conditions that make the heat dangerous.

Extreme weather has recently affected music festivals, resulting in cancellations and causing concertgoers to become ill. In June, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee was canceled partway through due to heavy rainfall. Last week, hundreds of people were treated for heat-related illnesses at the Rock the Country music festival in Kentucky, according to local officials.​​

The Steve Miller Band recently appeared on AARP’s list of 27 Concert Tours You Can’t Miss This Summer. ​​The quintet was slated to perform from August to November in New York, Michigan, California, Tennessee and other states. ​

The group has been a classic rock mainstay since starting in San Francisco in the 1960s. Popular songs from the band include “The Joker,” “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Jungle Love” and “Abracadabra.” ​​The Steve Miller Band joins other legacy acts such as Rod Stewart, 80, and Billy Joel, 76, who have recently had to cancel tour dates. Stewart and Joel nixed their tours for health reasons.