Economic Reasons Were the Reason for ULI JON ROTH’s Guitar Gods Tour Cancellation

Uli Jon Roth performing February 16, 2013 at Neisen's in Savage, Minnesota. Click on the picture to see more photos of Uli and his band (63).

Contrary to the official line that "work visas" getting "mysteriously delayed" as being the reason guitarist Uli Jon Roth canceled his appearance on the North American Guitar Gods Tour with Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Gary Hoey, and Bumblefoot, it can be revealed that his cancelation was solely due to economic reasons. My source, someone involved with the tour since it began earlier this month, was definitive with this statement. If Monday’s attendance for the Minneapolis stop of the tour, about 150, is indicative of the tour’s draw, this would corroborate this explanation.

Official statements are often cloaked in vague half-truths, and this is probably one of those instances. Very likely someone in the Uli’s camp was experiencing visa delays (notice that the statement doesn’t say the Uli himself was), but it could easily be used for cover so as to not embarrass other acts on the tour or not spook the promoters.

Uli Jon Roth is supposed to return to North American in the Spring of 2015.

In Concert This Week - June 23, 2014

There are two big show tonight, Monday, June 23 in Minneapolis, the first being the long overdue return of guitar sensation Yngwie J. Malmsteen with Gary Hoey and Bumblefoot at the Skyway Theatre (remember, Uli Jon Roth was forced to cancel!). This is an all ages show that starts early (5:30), and both floor seating and balcony standing seats are still available for $40.50 and $65 (gold seating is sold out). There’s any excellent new interview with Yngwie done by Jim Fusilli titled “A Guitar God Among Men” at the Wall Street Journal (behind their paywall). Speaking with his usual candor, Yngwie slams his time with Steeler:

“He arrived in Los Angeles in 1983, recruited by a producer who placed him in a group that was beneath his talents. ‘It was the most banal band I could be with, but I wanted to be on a piece of vinyl,’ Mr. Malmsteen said.”

San Franciscan black metal band Deafheaven plays a SOLD OUT show tonight at the Triple Rock Social Club with Pallbearer and Wreck And Reference. Doors are at 8:00.

This rest of the week is relatively quiet. On Friday, June 27, Portland’s Raw Nerves, Much Worse, P.A.W.N., and Marrow play a free show at the Hexagon Bar in Minneapolis (21+, 10:00 show), and Oblivion, Bongonya, and Drug Budget also have a free show at the Red Carpet Keller Bar in St. Cloud (21+, 9:00 doors).

Mick in the hospital wearing a Y&T shirt! (Photo from Mick’s YouCaring page – click to donate!)

The Benefit For Mickster event for Metal Witch, Maiden Mpls., and Eternal Voyager guitarist Mick Dougherty takes place Saturday, June 28 at Pov’s 65 in Spring Lake Park. Mick is recovering from renal cancer that necessitated removal of a kidney, and he needs help with massive medical bills. The benefit show is only a $10 donation, and you can also make donations online through YouCaring. All ages are free to attend from 3–6 for a silent auction, games for kids, and the chance at door prizes, while an 18 and over crowd can stick around for the bands starting at 9:00, including Hollowstone, Jokers N Thieves, Electric Eye, Cold Colours, Maiden Mpls., and The Goodbars.

Mick playing with Eternal Voyager on September 29, 2011 at Station 4 in St. Paul opening for Cage. Click on the picture to see more photos of Eternal Voyager (17).

Hollowstone performing April 27, 2013 at Station 4 in St. Paul opening for Sanctuary. Click on the picture to see more photos of Hollowstone (32).

A little bit south of the metro area, the What’s Up Lounge in Mankato has a brutal night of death metal and grind with Ambassador Gun, Glutton For Punishment, Human Bashing, Cantharone, Exmordium, and The Rising Plague. It’s $10 at the door, and is a 21+ show that starts at 10:00.

Tours: ULI JON ROTH Cancels North American Guitar Gods Tour, Reveals Plans to Return to U.S. in Spring 2015

Uli Jon Roth performing February 16, 2013 at Neisen's in Savage, Minnesota. Click on either picture to see more photos of Uli and his band (63).

Surely this is the most disappointing concert news of the year. Uli Jon Roth, legendary solo artist and former Scorpions guitarist, made the announcement on his Facebook page that he’s been forced bow of his upcoming tour with Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Gary Hoey, and Bumblefoot:

“Unfortunately we are forced to cancel my participation in this tour due to unforeseen circumstances which are beyond our control. We don’t know why, but work visas got mysteriously delayed for no apparent reason to the point where we were left with no other reasonable choice but to cancel at this late stage. In over 30 years of obtaining US visas this has never happened to me, but I guess there’s always a first.

I would have love to play for the North-American audience on this tour, like so many times before, but I’m my three guitar-playing friends will be just fine without me and will more than make up for it with their considerable skills. I’m wishing them best luck and lots of inspiration!!!”

Uli responded in the comment thread to his post with the news that he’s planning to return to North America early next year:

“I’ll be back some time in the Spring! See you then hopefully.”

The Guitar Gods tour featuring Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Gary Hoey, and Bumblefoot comes to the Skyway Theatre in Minneapolis on Monday, June 23.

YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN to Headline Guitar Gods Tour, Minneapolis Show June 23

In case you missed the news a couple weeks back, guitar legend Yngwie J. Malmsteen has announced the Guitar Gods Tour that has him teaming up with the powerhouse bill of Uli Jon Roth, Gary Hoey, and Bumblefoot across North America for what should go down as one of the best concerts of the year. Love him or hate him, it cannot be denied that Yngwie influenced metal guitar players in ways not seen since Ritchie Blackmore and Eddie Van Halen. Remember how the saying goes - there's the right way, the wrong way, and there's Yngwie!

Uli Jon Roth performing February 16, 2013 at Neisen's in Savage, Minnesota. Click on any of the pictures to see more photos from this concert (63).

I've seen Yngwie twice, first on the godly Trilogy tour (supporting Triumph) and again in support of The Seventh Sign, and it's impossible walk away from one of his shows slack-jawed. Making this an extra-special night is the inclusion of Uli Jon Roth. Uli's show last year at Neisen's in Savage, Minnesota was hands down the best concert I saw last year (reviewed here), and this tour has him once again playing an all-Scorpions set of classics from the five albums on which he performed. The bottom line is that you don't want to miss this tour.

The tour stops in Minneapolis at the Skyway Theatre on Monday, June 23. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketfly, and the seated floor section is already sold out. Here's the full list of tour dates:

June 12 - Wilkes-Barre, PA, Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
June 13 - Huntington, NY, The Paramount
June 14 - Sayreville, NJ, Starland Ballroom
June 15 - Akron, NY, Braun's Concert Cove
June 17 - Englewood, NJ, Bergen Performing Arts Center
June 18 - Cleveland, OH, The Agora
June 20 - St. Charles, IL, Arcada Theatre
June 21 - Toronto, ON, Phoenix Concert Theatre
June 22 - Joliet, IL, Mojoes
June 23 - Minneapolis, MN, Skyway Theatre
June 26 - Seattle, WA, Showbox Presents
June 27 - Portland, OR, Roseland Theater
June 28 - Richmond, BC, River Rock Casino
July 2 - Santa Ana, CA, The Observatory
July 3 - Beverly Hills, CA, Saban Theatre
July 5 - Ramona, CA, Ramona MainStage
July 7 - Las Vegas, NV, House of Blues
July 8 - Tucson, AZ, Rialto Theatre
July 10 - Dallas, TX, House of Blues
July 12 - Houston, TX, House of Blues