Ministry’s Al Jourgensen Hospitalized After Shortened Paris Show
Ministry has canceled their Rock En Stock performance this evening (July 29) after Al Jourgensen was hospitalized following a shortened show in Paris Saturday night (July 28).
According to an account of the show from Radio Metal, Ministry had to interrupt their performance after an allegedly intoxicated Jourgensen could no longer perform and was escorted off the stage by his crew. Eventually the show was canceled. Fan-shot video from the performance taken just prior to Jourgensen's exit can be seen below.
The group issued an update via their Facebook page, stating, "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."
They also stated that Jourgensen extended his sincerest apologies to the fans in Paris, who offered him love, respect and concern both before and after the shortened show. The singer added, “I will make it up to you, somehow. I love Paris, I love the Parisian people. I’m so sorry …but, s--- happens and the s--- hit the fan for me last night.”
Jourgensen had initially planned to retire the group in 2008 after 27 years of performing, but he revived Ministry over the past year with the new album 'Relapse,' which arrived in March.
Watch Ministry's 'Waiting' From Paris Performance