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Rock Legend Stevie Nicks Delays Tour After Shoulder Fracture

The 77-year-old singer said the injury will ‘require recovery time’


stevie nicks performing onstage
Randy Holmes/Disney/Getty Images

Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks, 77, has had to postpone upcoming concert dates for the next two months because she fractured her shoulder.

A statement on Instagram explained the unfortunate injury and affected concert dates. “Due to a recent injury resulting in a fractured shoulder that will require recovery time, Stevie Nicks’ scheduled concerts in August and September will be rescheduled,” the statement said.

Shows in Michigan, New York, Florida and others have been rescheduled to October, November and December. Although the tour was supposed to start on August 8 in Brooklyn, New York, it will now begin on October 1 in Portland, Oregon. All rescheduled dates are listed on Nicks’ Instagram page.

The legendary rock artist also said she “looks forward to seeing everyone soon,” and she “apologizes to the fans for this inconvenience.”

Stevie Nicks and former Fleetwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham, 75, had fans on social media in a frenzy last month over a pair of cursive song lyrics from their 1973 ballad, “Frozen Love.”"

 “And if you go forward,” Nicks’ post said on Instagram. Shortly afterwards, Buckingham completed the lyric with his post, saying, “I’ll meet you there.” Nicks and Buckingham, 75, are reissuing their eponymous 1973 album this September.

the cover of the record buckingham nicks
This album cover image provided by Rhino Records shows "Buckingham Nicks" by Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.
Rhino Records via AP

Nicks did not reveal what kind of shoulder fracture she had or how it happened.

The most common type of shoulder injury in older adults is a rotator cuff injury, which affects the group of muscles and tendons surrounding the joint.

Fractures of the bones in the shoulder, often caused by falls, are the second most common type of shoulder injury in adults age 50 and older, according to Gerald R. Williams Jr, M.D., a shoulder specialist at the Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedics.

Shoulder fractures are classified by which bone is broken. The shoulder joint has three bones, and a break in any of these bones is considered a shoulder fracture.

  • The top part of the humerus, the upper arm bone
  • The scapula, or shoulder blade
  • The clavicle, or collar bone

Shoulder fractures are not as common as dislocated or separated shoulders, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Fractures of the clavicle are especially common in teens, but proximal humerus fractures are more common in those 65 and older and those who have bone density problems.

The humerus bone is the only bone in the upper arm. Because it tends to be a strong bone, it usually takes a serious trauma to break it.

For many shoulder fractures, doctors give the patient a simple sling. Patients generally benefit from starting physical therapy after the shoulder begins to heal. Some patients, however, need surgery. Orthopedic surgeons may use plates or screws to hold the bone together.

To prevent shoulder injuries, a person can strengthen their shoulders, stretch, practice yoga and improve their posture.

AARP has additional information on how certain foods can be used to improve bone health and a guide for bone health.

Nicks isn’t the only musician to delay live performances.

Last month, lead singer Steve Miller, 81, of the Steve Miller Band, canceled all 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 said on Instagram. “You can blame it on the weather.... The tour is cancelled.”

Billy Joel, 76, had to cancel the rest of his summer tour in May after being diagnosed with the brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus. “I’m sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience and thank you for understanding,” Joel said in a press release, which noted that his recently diagnosed condition has worsened due to “recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision and balance.”

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