Marianne Faithfull scraps gigs after breaking back

Veteran British singer/songwriter Marianne Faithfull has cancelled a string of concerts after breaking her back while on vacation in the U.S. The star, who famously dated Sir Mick Jagger in her 1960s heyday, reveals she fractured her sacrum in an accident in July (13), but had still hoped to be back onstage in time for a show in Beirut, Lebanon on Saturday (17Aug13).
However, the As Tears Go By hitmaker has failed to make enough of a recovery and she’s now been forced to scrap the gig.
In a letter to fans in Lebanon, she writes, “I am so sad I won’t be able to sing for you on Saturday.
“I broke my back in July and hoped and prayed I would be better enough to be able to do the performance on 17th August, although it’s not very long, but my recovery was going well. Alas.
“I have never been to the Lebanon (sic) though I know it through books. It looks like one of the most beautiful places in the world. I still hope to be able to come one day not too far away when I’m completely healed and have my dream to sing in Beirut come true.”
Faithfull has also pulled concerts in New York and Chicago, Illinois next month (Sep13), in addition to a scheduled appearance at an upcoming Edith Piaf tribute in the Big Apple.
The 66 year old, who also has hepatitis C, has a history of ill health – in 2004 she was treated for exhaustion, while she battled breast cancer in 2006.