Van Halen delay Japan tour after emergency surgery

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Legendary United States (US) rock group Van Halen will reschedule a planned tour of Japan after founder guitarist Eddie Van Halen underwent emergency surgery, the band said on Thursday.

The iconic band reunited with original frontman David Lee Roth this year, but had already canceled US dates for the A Different Kind Of Truth tour, giving no reason and fuelling speculation about in-fighting.

On Thursday a "special announcement" on their website announced the band would not play in Japan in November as planned.

"Eddie Van Halen underwent an emergency surgery for a severe bout of diverticulitis. No further surgeries are needed and a full recovery is expected within 4-6 months," it said.