STRYPER’s guitarist Oz Fox will abstain from participating in the band’s upcoming “To Hell With The Amps” acoustic tour to undergo another surgical procedure on his brain.
Today, STRYPER conveyed the following message through social media: “We want to communicate an important update regarding our guitarist, Oz Fox.
“Many of you may recall the obstacles Oz encountered back in 2018 when doctors detected two tumors in his brain. Following a couple of successful surgeries, we were optimistic that was a thing of the past. Unfortunately, a recent routine scan revealed some disheartening news – there’s a concern in the same area where he underwent surgery previously, and Oz’s medical team deems another surgical intervention necessary for his treatment.
“As we are aware, every surgical procedure carries risks, but the medical professionals indicate that this one should be less invasive than the initial operation, so we are maintaining a positive outlook.
“Given this development, we have had to make some challenging decisions as we prepare for our inaugural acoustic tour – ‘To Hell With The Amps’. It is with a heavy heart that we disclose Oz will not be able to accompany us on this endeavor. We acknowledge that this is less than ideal, considering the timing of the news post-tour booking, but with Oz’s endorsement, we’ve extended an invitation to Will Doughty to join us — he will contribute with keyboards and harmonies. Will is a reputable Nashville musician and songwriter, renowned for his tenure as the touring keyboardist for POISON since 2007. While we wish circumstances were different, we are genuinely enthused to have Will onboard for these acoustic performances.
“We are fervently praying for Oz’s swift and complete recovery, and he is aiming to rejoin us on the road by July. In the interim, please join us in offering prayers for him. We eagerly anticipate the day when we can hit the road together again.
“If you wish to show support to Oz during this period, you can do so by purchasing an exclusive Oz Fox T-shirt created specifically for this fundraising initiative.”
In a separate statement, Oz added: “Greetings, everyone! I am grateful for the prayers and encouragement extended during this period. As a person of faith, when confronted with challenges like this, we place our trust in God to guide us through. Numerous biblical narratives illustrate this, with God always prevailing. However, sometimes the outcome differs from our desires. This is where faith becomes paramount. Regardless of the outcome, we will continue to place our trust in God. His ways are beyond our comprehension, yet He always has a plan. Sometimes, we only discern that plan in hindsight.
“In March 2021, I was informed that regular scans would be conducted on the site from which doctors removed a 4 cm astrocytoma. These types of tumors have a tendency to recur. I was prescribed a trial medication that has shown efficacy for most individuals. However, in light of recent scans, my wife Annie and I believe it is prudent to undergo the recommended procedure with the same team of doctors to address what appears to be regrowth. Fortunately, this procedure seems to entail less risk and a shorter recovery period, but not in time to participate in the acoustic tour.
“Incredibly, our fellow members of STRYPER swiftly orchestrated a remarkable and distinctive lineup with Will on keyboards and vocals. Undoubtedly, it will be a remarkable experience for all attendees of the upcoming shows. Therefore, while I recuperate, you can support me by being a part of that experience and witnessing STRYPER tackle the challenge of maintaining the show’s momentum no matter the circumstances!
“I am profoundly grateful to be part of something that God has been orchestrating for over 40 years with STRYPER, and each of you has played a role in making it happen. During my recovery, updates will be provided by my wife, so please continue to monitor her social media channels. I will be back on my feet and strumming my guitar strings as soon as possible! Cheers!”
