Watch Mick Box’s Emotional Return to Uriah Heep on Rock Legends Cruise XIII

A Return at Sea

Founding guitarist Mick Box made an emotional return to the stage during this year’s Rock Legends Cruise XIII. The event is being held aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas from February 22 to 27, 2026. Fans welcomed him back after he missed the Scandinavian leg of Uriah Heep’s “The Magician’s Farewell Tour” due to illness.

Fan-shot videos from the cruise show Box performing alongside his longtime bandmates. His return marked an important moment for the group and their followers. The Scandinavian shows had continued without him, but many fans were eager to see the guitarist back where he belongs — on stage with the band he helped form more than five decades ago.

Filling In During the Tour

During the Scandinavian dates, guitarist Sam Wood stepped in to fill Box’s role. Wood is known for playing with Black Star Riders, a spinoff of Thin Lizzy, as well as with Wayward Sons. Wayward Sons is fronted by Toby Jepson of Little Angels. Wood joined singer Bernie Shaw, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, drummer Russell Gilbrook, and bassist Dave Rimmer for those concerts.

The cruise appearance signaled a return to normal for the lineup. Box’s presence restored the classic dynamic that fans have come to expect. As one of the original members, he has remained the steady force behind the group’s long career. His comeback performance was a highlight of the five-day event at sea.

Looking Ahead to 2026 Shows

The band is set to continue touring across Europe later in 2026. Scheduled appearances include Basel, Switzerland at Basel Town Hall on June 26, Leipzig, Germany at Parkbühne on July 17, and Spalt, Germany at Leider Am See on July 18. They will also perform in Maidstone, United Kingdom at the Maid Of Stone Festival on July 19.

Additional dates include Winterbach, Germany at Winterbach Zeltspektakel on July 31, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany on August 1, Schwetzingen, Germany at Schlosspark Schwetzingen on August 7, Bochum, Germany at Zeltfestival Ruhr on August 24, and Gießen, Germany at Giessener Kultursommer on August 25. Tickets are currently available for purchase.

A Legacy That Continues

In January 2023, Uriah Heep released “Chaos & Colour,” their 25th studio album, through Silver Lining Music. The record was produced by Jay Ruston and recorded during the summer of 2021 at Chapel Studios in London. Since their 1970 debut album, “Very ‘Eavy, Very ‘Umble,” the band has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.

Over the years, Uriah Heep has played for hundreds of thousands of fans, often performing up to 125 shows a year. Their concerts feature songs from the early 1970s alongside newer material, offering audiences a wide look at their history. With Mick Box back on stage, the band continues its farewell tour while honoring a career that has lasted more than five decades.