When it comes to London, it's always Sum thing or another.
This time, Ajax rock band Sum 41 has postponed several shows, including tonight's date at the John Labatt Centre, because of lead singer/guitarist Deryck Whibley's ruptured vocal cord.
The date has quickly been rescheduled for April 11 at 7:30 p.m. with Sum 41 as headliners.
That should give any Cher fans lost in weepy despair over the diva's second farewell visit to the centre, set for April 10, a sound reason to quit the building before the onslaught.
It is the second time a Whibley ailment has postponed a Sum 41 show in London. Actually, it's the first time illness has postponed a Sum show here. The other time, it was the excuses that were sickly.
Sum fans with any memory will recall the delightful evening at the Western Fair grandstand in 2003 when Whibley never showed. Sum 41's other members -- guitarist Dave Baksh, drummer Steve Jocz and bassist Cone McCaslin -- were at the fair.
Whibley told the band his flight from California "had been cancelled," Sum 41 road manager's said. Next day, next story. It was an "ear infection . . . he was really, really very sick in L.A. (and couldn't fly)," Sum 41's publicist said. "You know how that is."
The preferred explanation is that Whibley's California dalliance with TV and video personality Paris Hilton had punked the show. The next night, Sum 41 and a contrite Whibley rocked the grandstand. He apologized profanely and profusely and sincerely.
Fast forward to February, 2005. "Sum 41 apologizes for any inconvenience this has caused their fans," the John Labatt Centre announced yesterday as the new date was confirmed. Tickets for tomorrow's show will be honoured on April 11. Refunds are available at point of purchase until April 9. More than 4,000 tickets have been sold so far.
Meanwhile, Sum 41 has been growing up. Sort of. Chuck, the band's latest album, is named after Chuck Pelletier, a UN aid worker from B.C., who helped save them from violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pelletier is a hero, Whibley says.
Come April, Cher may want to stick around and compare throat notes with the short singer. They have at least one thing in common.
Cher's show was rescheduled for April 10 after a 2004 date was postponed because of the diva's "severe throat infection."
