​Nickelback's Chad Kroeger Pauses Show Due to "Fucking Absolutely Destroyed Throat"

"I'm having a hard time hittin' fuckin' notes"

BY Emilie Richardson-DupuisPublished Aug 8, 2023

Nickelback experienced a not-so-rockstar moment on their North American tour last Thursday (August 3) when lead singer Chad Kroeger halted the show mid-song citing vocal issues. 

At their concert in Maryland Heights, MO, Kroeger stopped the show during their performance of "Animals" and said: "I can't do this. I cannot sit here with a fucking absolutely destroyed throat and try to make it through this show and pretend like there's nothing fucking wrong and take your fucking money, 'cause that is wrong. I'm having a hard time hittin' fuckin' notes."

He continued: "The doctor just jabbed me in the hip with some prednisone, and we all crossed our fingers backstage hoping this was gonna work. But I cannot, in good conscience, stand up here and sing these fuckin' songs and have my voice crack and everything sound like shit. It's driving me fucking nuts." 

After receiving support from the band in the form of a hug from bassist/brother Mike Kroeger, and an offer of vocal help from guitarist Ryan Peake, Kroeger ended up powering through the set, however, reduced it to only 15 songs. 

Although Kroeger had surgery to remove a cyst from his vocal cords in 2015, it seems likely that this was just a case of a worn-out voice as Nickelback played two days later in Milwaukee seemingly without any problems. They'll be back in Canada for Boots and Hearts on Thursday (August 10). 

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