Legendary speed-metal band Motörhead's concert Thursday night at The Complex in Salt Lake City was cut short after four songs when singer/bassist Lemmy Kilmister complained of an inability to breathe.
After three songs, the 69-year-old frontman, who had looked and sounded lethargic, suddenly left the stage without warning, ducking behind a stack of amplifiers.
A crew member could be seen rushing to check on him, and drummer Mikkey Dee jumped down from his riser to check on him as well. Guitarist Phil Campbell took the mic and implored the crowd, "Everyone just give us a minute, alright?"
After about a 10-minute delay, Kilmister re-took the stage and joked to the crowd, "Sorry about that. I'm old."
Motörhead then launched into a fourth song before abruptly cutting short, at which point Kilmister told the audience, "I don't know how long I can do this. Sorry guys." He and his bandmates then left the stage again.
After another delay, the band appeared again and gathered around Kilmister's mic stand.
"Listen, I'm really sorry guys. I've got a bad back — my back's really bad and I can't breathe up here," he said. "I'm really, really sorry."
The band then left the stage for the final time.
Later that evening, they posted a message on their Facebook page addressing the situation.
"The people are great but the air is just too thin. The high altitude makes it difficult for breathing, and that's what happened tonight with Lemmy in Salt Lake City. He feels very bad to have cut the show short, but being that high up, he had some trouble breathing well. Lemmy appreciates everyone's concern. The fans always rally round!"
A spokesman for The Complex was unsure if refunds would be issued, and said the venue was discussing the issue with promoter United Concerts.
Motörhead were scheduled to play Riot Fest in Denver — some 1,100 feet above sea level more than Salt Lake City — on Friday, but ultimately backed out of that performance altogether. The band's Facebook page said he "very reluctantly decided not to play in Denver," citing "a burst of altitude sickness."
ewalden@sltrib.com
Twitter: @esotericwalden
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