Billy Talent Drummer Aaron Solowoniuk Recovering From Open Heart Surgery

Posted on Feb 24th 2012 12:20PM by Jason MacNeil Comments

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Billy Talent drummer Aaron Solowoniuk, 37, is recovering from open heart surgery.

"On Feb. 2nd, I had open heart surgery to repair a leaky aortic valve. The surgery went perfect but healing takes a while," the musician, who also suffers from multiple sclerosis, wrote on the Canadian rockers' website, noting it would a "couple of months" to recuperate.

Solowoniuk alerted Billy Talent fans to his condition earlier this month. "I never thought I would have to write another letter like this," he wrote Feb. 17. "In March of 2006, I wrote a letter telling you all I have MS. Now I am writing you to tell you that I have a problem with my heart that needed to be fixed."

The Juno Award-winning band -- who are set to release the followup to 2009's 'Billy Talent III' later this summer -- have pulled out of Belgium rock festival Groezock in April. "We were really looking forward to this as it was the perfect show to start touring this record," added Solowoniuk.

"So many of our friends will be there and to share the stage with Refused was a dream come true. To all our fans in Belgium, we promise we will make this up to you. For now, please look forward to a new single soon and new album in July."

Billy Talent have confirmed a handful of European festival dates in June and will play a July 14 show in Toronto as part of Edgefest 12. Fans will be happy to see the band back at it with Solowoniuk no doubt.

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