The legendary American rock singer and guitarist, Joe Lynn Turner, has cancelled his upcoming tour dates after suffering a shock heart attack. The 66-year-old was transported to a hospital facility in Minsk by ambulance and is continuing to receive treatment.

The news was announced by his booking agent, Thomas Stahl, who said: “Due to an unplanned medical procedure, Joe Lynn Turner is postponing all activities for the next few months as he is not allowed to travel or fly right now.” The Ministry of Health of Belarus has reported that his condition is stable, and the state-owned newspaper SB Belarus Segodnya has also confirmed his admittance to the hospital.

Joe Lynn Turner was the frontman of classic rock band Rainbow between 1980 and 1984, singing on their most successful hit “I Surrender”, which reached number three in 1981. He joined Deep Purple in 1989 and recorded one album, “Slaves and Masters”, followed by a lengthy tour.

Now a solo artist, his other bands have included Mother’s Army, The Hughes Turner Project and, more recently, Sunstorm.

With regard to the tour, Stahl Entertainment has said: “We are working on rescheduling all club shows and will announce new dates as soon as possible, bought tickets are valid”. The first date was to have been April 25 when he was due to play in Gothenburg, followed by over 30 gigs throughout Europe, many of them a sell-out.

Joe Lynn Turner is not just renowned as a musician; he has received awards for the promotion of peace and is the cultural ambassador to Bulgaria. He was in Minsk at the time of his heart attack as he is married to a lawyer from Belarus, Maya Kozyreva, and they were planning a permanent move to the country.