Randy Newman is postponing a European tour as he recovers from neck surgery, he announced on his website. The shows were set to begin this month; new tour dates will be announced soon, according to the announcement.

“Recently, I noticed I was shrinking. People over whom I had towered now towered over me. Could this be payback for having written ‘Short People’?” Newman pondered in a statement. “Turns out, my neck was broken. They operated on me successfully, I think. For even now, I look less like an anteater and more like a folk rock artist from the early ’60s. But the doctor said I’m not quite ready to tour. I was really looking forward to coming to Europe to perform. I miss performing a great deal and I look forward to a time when I can come. I’m sorry I won’t see you this time but I will see you soon.”

Newman announced the UK and European leg of his tour way back in summer 2019. The shows were scheduled to take place in 2020 but were pushed to 2022 due to the pandemic.

Revisit the interview “Randy Newman Explains Every Song on His New Album, Dark Matter.”