[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D61Knfj1n8[/youtube]
Last Saturday night, July 28, fans watching Ministry in Paris may have noticed that frontman Al Jourgensen seemed a little off. In fact, some may have even caught Jourgensen collapse at one point during the show. Indeed, Al was in such bad shape that he was rushed to a hospital immediately after the show.
Ministry’s management released the following statement (including a few words from Al himself) explaining what exactly happened and the reasoning behind it:
“July 27, 2012 PARIS 9:05 pm Ministry Front man Al Jourgensen collapsed on-stage during the live Ministry performance and was rushed to hospital via ambulance where he was examined by numerous physicians and diagnosed to have had a full-system collapse due to extreme dehydration and heat exhaustion intensified by the lack of ventilation on stage at the venue.
Doctors confirm via blood tests conducted that Jourgensen‘s alcohol blood levels were well below normal and no narcotics were found in his system. As a result, Ministry has cancelled today’s appearance at the L’Etaples France Rock en Stock Festival in order to allow Mr. Jourgensen a few days rest to recuperate and receive additional medical attention in Switzerland. Jourgensen fully intends to complete the remaining shows on the Ministry DeFiBriLlaTouR European leg.
Jourgensen extends his most sincere apologies to his devoted Parisian fans who displayed so much love, respect and concern for him before and after the Ministry show. Says Jourgensen: ‘I will make it up to you, somehow. I love Paris, I love the Parisian people. I’m so sorry …but, shit happens and the shit hit the fan for me last night.’”
According to The PRP, this isn’t the first time fans have noted Jourgensen’s odd behavior onstage (one time even falling right off stage). However, considering how Jourgensen’s 2010 health scare [which included a seizure and loss of 65% of his blood] has forced him to cut down on touring considerably, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that they he may be experiencing trouble onstage.
Fan filmed footage of Ministry performing “Waiting” in Paris the night he was hospitalized has made its way online (see above), and it’s pretty obvious that Jourgensen wasn’t doing too well. Here’s hoping he has a speedy recovery and will be able to continue touring Europe without any additional problems.
