According to a Reuters report, U2 has cancelled the North American leg of its upcoming world tour in the wake of Bono's emergency back surgery.

The U2 frontman was operated on last Friday and has been recovering in a hospital outside Munich. Band manager Paul McGuinness told Reuters that the singer "feels awful" about the tour changes, which will affect over a million fans.

"Clearly this is a serious injury and the recuperation time necessary to rehabilitate Bono is a big problem for the U2 tour and has unfortunately necessitated the postponement of 16 shows in North America," he told the news agency.

The shows were to occur between June 3 in Salt Lake City and July 19 in New Jersey. The earliest possible date for Bono's return, according to the band's website, would be August 6 in Turin, Italy.

The decision to cancel this part of the tour could prove a blow to Live Nation which has a 12-year deal to handle merchandising, digital and branding rights as well as touring for U2.

Joerg Tonn, the neurosurgeon treating Bono described his condition as a "sudden onset disease" which caused temporary partial paralysis.

He is now much better with complete recovery of his motor-deficit, the surgeon said.

"His prognosis is excellent but to obtain a sustainable result he must now enter a period of rehabilitation," Tonn added.

Story: http://www.hollywoodwiretap.com/?module=news&action=story&id=48493