NO OZZ-FEST FOR KORN

DATE: JUNE 12, 1998
FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/ AMANDA CAGAN

NO OZZ-FEST FOR KORN: As previously rumored, KORN has been forced to cancel their appearance at Ozz-Fest in the U.K. on June 20 due to an important family committment: BRIAN "HEAD" WELCH and his wife, Rebekkah, are expecting their first child mid-to-late June. It was previously thought by her doctors that the birthdate would be in July, but that has turned out to be incorrect. She's now expecting to give birth any day. Noting this, WELCH will not travel overseas and be away from his wife at this crucial time. Even more so, the band themselves are quite adamant in the fact that they will not use replacement musicians in any situation if one of them can't be on-hand due to an extenuating circumstance. KORN have described their close relationship as "a brotherhood" in Hit Parader magazine, most notably after the abrupt cancellation of their appearance on 1997's Lollapalooza tour due to JAMES "MUNKY" SHAFFER's bout with viral meningitis. It's simple, really. KORN will not perform in front of a live audience unless all five original members–JONATHAN DAVIS (vocals), FIELDY (bass), JAMES "MUNKY" SHAFFER (guitars), DAVID (drums), and WELCH (guitars)–are sharing the experience together. The band sends their deepest apologizes to their fans who were expecting to see them at the event, and they'll most assuredly be back in the U.K. later this year as part of their forthcoming "Family Values" world tour (exact dates are still TBA).

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