Illness Strikes Slayer, Miranda Lambert

Slayer canceled its headline appearance at the Feb. 27 Sydney stop of the Soundwave festival because singer/bassist Tom Araya needed to be hospitalized overnight.

Promoter AJ Maddah said Araya suffered “a severe ear infection.”

The decision was made five minutes before the band was to take to the stage. Angry fans pelted the stage with bottles and cans. Maddah believed Araya would be well enough to play the next show, in Melbourne, March 5.

In the meantime, severe upper respiratory infection forced Miranda Lambert to pull out of her tour with Alan Jackson, to begin in Melbourne March 4.

Aussie singer Jasmine Rae was promoted to second spot and McAlister Kemp was added to Jackson’s five arena dates.

Aussie multi-platinum act John Williamson takes Lambert’s slot at the CMC Rocks the Hunter festival March 5-6.