According to Stratovarius keyboardist Jens Johansson, the band\'s drummer Jörg Michael has been diagnosed with cancer, only weeks before the start of an extensive tour. States Jens:\"Jörg Michael recently discovered a lump on his neck, went to the doctor, they decided to operate, and found what they call \'a malignant thyroid neoplasm.\' They took out his whole thyroid just to have the best chance to get everything out. He will also have to undergo a regimen of radiotherapy.\"
Stratovarius has planned a long tour with Helloween. With the surgery and therapy that Jörg needs to follow, he won\'t be able do rum during the first part of the tour. Continues Jens:
\"We have debated what to do for many days now. Jörg first suggested my brother Anders to do this November-December 2010 leg, but it turns out Anders will, unfortunately, be busy recording with (...) Hammerfall.\"
Stratovarius have now tapped Alex Landenburg (At Vance, Annihilator, Mekong Delta) as their touring drummer.
