Travis Barker Drops Out Of Blink-182 Oz Tour
The drummer is too traumatised to fly
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has dropped out of the band’s Australian tour due to his fear of flying.
The 37-year-old rocker has admitted that he is still too traumatised to fly more than four years after he was involved in a plane crash in South Carolina.
Four of the six people aboard the Learjet 60 crash on 19th September 2008 died, including both pilots, while Travis Barker and his friend DJ AM (Adam Goldstein, who died from a drug overdose 11 months later) suffered severe burns.
Barker had hoped to overcome his fear of flying for the nine-date tour but in a post on his official Facebook page he revealed he’s staying at home in California.
He wrote: “I'm sorry to announce I won't be joining Blink-182 on this Australian tour. I still haven't gotten over the horrific events that took place the last time I flew when my plane crashed and 4 people were killed, two being my best friends.
“I gave the band my blessing to take another drummer if they still wanted to do the tour without me. I hope to come to Australia again some day perhaps by ship if need be. Unfortunately, there wasn't a boat that worked with the schedule this time around. Once again I'm sorry to all the fans.”
Bad Religion and Tenacious D drummer Brooks Wackerman will be filling in for Barker at the shows which kick off at Sydney Allphone Arena on 20th February and wrap up at Soundwave Festival in Perth on 4th March.
A separate statement from Blink-182 reads: “We love our fans in Australia so canceling was not an option so we still plan to come and play some kick ass shows.”
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