Nickelback cancels North American tour due to medical emergency

A "medical emergency" involving lead singer Chad Kroegerhas forcedNickelback to cancel the second leg of itsNorth American tour.

Kroegerhas beendiagnosed with "anoperablecyst on his voice box," the Canadian band saidon itsofficial websiteTuesday.

Kroegersaid he was sorrytheband had to scrap dates for its No Fixed Address tour.

"I am definitely not thrilled with the prospect of being silent for many weeks to come when I could be out there playing for our fans," he said in a statement.

"I am relying on my doctor and his team to help get my voice back in good form as quickly as possible."

The cancellation comes after the band nixed a number of shows over the weekend. Anyone holding tickets will berefunded.

Nickelback guitaristRyan Peakeand bassistMike Kroegerissued a video explaining the situation.

"We completely understand people will be upset about this," saidPeake,"but we need him to properly take care of his voice so that we can continue to do this."

ChadKroegeris due toundergo surgery in threeweeks, followed by a period of doctor-ordered rest.

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The 40-year-old,Alberta-born musician, who is married to Canadian pop rocker Avril Lavigne, is expected tomake a full recovery.Kroeger confirmed that his wife wasrecovering from a severe case ofLyme disease earlier this year.

Nickelbackhopes toresume the tour in Europe in Finland on Sept. 30, and return to North America sometime in 2016.