Uriah Heep’s Mick Box to Miss Early 2026 Tour Dates Due to Health Issues, Temporary Replacement Announced
Photo by Knipselyst, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box has been taken ill and will miss the opening dates of the band’s early 2026 Scandinavian tour. The 78-year-old musician, a founding member of the British rock group, is expected to step away only temporarily. While Box focuses on recovery, the band has confirmed that Sam Wood will fill in on guitar for the affected shows. The announcement came just days before Uriah Heep was set to begin the next leg of its long-running farewell tour, which has drawn large audiences across multiple countries.
Health Update Forces Lineup Change
The band is scheduled to launch the 2026 portion of “The Magician’s Farewell” tour on Thursday, January 22, in Tampere, Finland. The Scandinavian run includes 15 dates across Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Box’s illness means he will not appear at the first few concerts of that stretch, though no shows have been canceled.
Earlier today, Box’s bandmates released a joint statement explaining the situation to fans. “We would like to let everyone know that Mick has been taken ill and will not be able to perform the first few shows on the Scandinavian leg of ‘The Magician’s Farewell Tour’ starting in Tampere, Finland this Thursday.”
They added that the guitarist’s condition is being closely watched. “We are monitoring Mick’s progress daily and he will be back on the road as soon as he is fit, and he sends his best along with his sincere apologies to you all.”
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Sam Wood Steps In Temporarily
To keep the tour moving, Uriah Heep has turned to Sam Wood, known for his work with Black Star Riders and Wayward Sons. According to the band, the decision was made with Box’s full support. “We have been very lucky to have Sam Wood stand in at the very last minute with Mick’s blessing for the shows Mick cannot make.”
The group also asked fans to support Wood as he takes on the role under difficult circumstances. “We truly appreciated everyone’s understanding in this unfortunate position we are in and hope you can make Sam welcome in this less than easy task for him.” The message concluded with reassurance and gratitude, signed, “Bernie, Phil, Russ and Davy.”
The band has said it will continue to update fans on Box’s health as the tour progresses.
Planning a Long Goodbye
Uriah Heep first revealed plans for its farewell tour in September 2024. The tour, titled “The Magician’s Farewell,” began with a seven-date run in the United Kingdom in February 2025. Rather than a short series of shows, the band made it clear that the farewell would unfold over time, giving fans around the world a chance to see them live.
The group has stated that the farewell tour is expected to last between two and three years. Dates are planned across multiple continents, reflecting the band’s long history of international touring. Even as they wind down their schedule, the musicians have stressed that they are not stepping away from music altogether.
Life After Heavy Touring
In December 2024, Box spoke with Planet Rock’s Paul Anthony about his plans once the farewell tour ends. He explained that the group intends to stay active, just in a different way. “I guess we’ll do [some] writing and go in the recording studio and do other aspects of the of the game, but as I say, we’re still gonna be touring, still gonna be playing. It’s just that we’re not doing the really long stuff. We’ll do it in sections rather than a whole long splurge.”
Anthony pointed out that Uriah Heep is still known for releasing new music and performing it live, rather than relying only on older material. Box agreed. “Well, yeah,” he said. “I mean, when you look at it, we’ve got a lot of classic rock songs. And the new songs are soon to be classic, because it’s only time that gives them that title. [Laughs]”
Holding Onto the Uriah Heep Sound
Box went on to explain how the band blends older and newer songs without losing its identity. “They merge very well, because it’s the band doing what the band does, using the same template we had from day one, musically, and that’s the Hammond organ, the wah-wah guitar, five[-part vocal harmonies], all that sort of stuff. We just apply that to each song and it’s URIAH HEEP.”
In a November 2023 interview with Metallerium, Box discussed how the group has kept its sound consistent despite many lineup changes. “Well, I think, I think, basically, as long as I’m there, the band’s gonna sound like URIAH HEEP,” he said, pointing back to the group’s 1970 debut, “…Very ‘Eavy …Very ‘Umble.”
Passion and a Long Career
Box also credited producer Jay Ruston for helping modern Uriah Heep records sound current while staying true to the band’s roots. He said Ruston understood the group’s history and approach, while still pushing the sound forward. As for what has kept the band going for decades, Box was clear. “I think the only thing that drives us on, it’s only one word — it’s called passion. And if you’ve got passion for what you do, then eventually you’ll achieve it.”
Uriah Heep released its 25th studio album, “Chaos & Colour,” in January 2023 through Silver Lining Music. The album was recorded in London in 2021 with Ruston producing. The current lineup includes Box, singer Bernie Shaw, bassist Dave Rimmer, drummer Russell Gilbrook, and keyboardist Phil Lanzon.
