Hawkwind Postpones Logan Square Auditorium Show, U.S. Tour
By Casey Moffitt in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 7, 2013 9:35PM
As if Hawkwind fans in Chicago haven't waited long enough to see the space/prog rock band in town, they'll have to wait another five months to get a gander at the sensory overload that is a Hawkwind show.
The band announced their Oct. 16 date at the Logan Square Auditorium has been pushed to March 7, as Hawkwind has postponed its entire North American tour. Fans who bought tickets have the option of holding onto them or getting a refund.
Founding member Dave Brock cited stress-related illness in a letter to fans made public Saturday on the band's website:
As many of you will now be aware, Dave was taken ill a couple of weeks ago. Doctors have confirmed that his condition is stress related, aggravated by the trademark dispute in the United States which could result in years of litigation. After enduring a series of tests, Dave has now been advised that it could be dangerous to his health to embark on a grueling 14,000 mile tour at this time. After much discussion about possible ways forward, the members of the band have reluctantly decided that it is necessary to reschedule the dates to March 2014, rather than putting Dave's health at unnecessary risk. Whilst we understand that this will come as a big disappointment to those of you who have booked tickets, as it does to ourselves, we are equally sure that you will understand health concerns must take priority.
The trademark dispute mentioned in the letter refers to co-founding member Nik Turner's filing to trademark the name "Nik Turner's Hawkwind" in November 2012. The U.S. Trademark and Patent Office completed its review of the application last month, but has not approved it as of yet.
Current Hawkwind band members have expressed their fears that this will lead to Turner trying to wrest the Hawkwind name for himself.
A similar situation unfolded in the 1990s when Hawkwind toured the States. Turner booked a tour under the moniker "Ex-Hawkwind" around the same time leading Brock to register the Hawkwind name.
Turner will kick off his North American tour this week as Nik Turner's Space Ritual, which hits the same cities as Hawkwind's scheduled tour, and in some cases booking the same venue. Nik Turner's Space Ritual comes to Reggie's October 21.
Hawkwind has not toured the U.S. in nearly 20 years, so waiting another five months might not be such a big deal. However, there must be a major rift between these two men. You'd think Brock, at age 72, and Turner, 73, might consider burying the hatchet and tour together one more time to make some decent money before they die.