Legendary Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box will be absent from the opening dates of the band’s 2026 farewell tour after being taken ill, the group has confirmed. The news marks the first time Box — the only continuous member since the band’s founding in 1969 — will miss performances on the road.
Box’s illness affects the Scandinavian leg of “The Magician’s Farewell Tour,” which was scheduled to start on January 22, 2026, in Tampere, Finland, and includes shows across Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
In an official statement shared by the band, vocalist Bernie Shaw, keyboardist Phil Lanzon, drummer Russell Gilbrook and bassist Dave Rimmer said Box simply “has been taken ill and will not be able to perform the first few shows.” They added that his condition is being monitored daily and that he hopes to return to the tour as soon as his health allows.
To ensure the tour goes ahead as planned, Uriah Heep has enlisted Sam Wood — guitarist for Black Star Riders and Wayward Sons — to fill in on very short notice for the shows Box must miss. The band thanked Wood for stepping in “with Mick’s blessing,” and asked fans to give him a warm welcome given the difficult task of filling the shoes of the band’s founding guitarist.
Box personally sent his apologies to fans, underscoring his regret at not being able to start the Scandinavian dates with his bandmates. Despite the setback, the band’s message emphasized optimism that Box will return to the stage once he has recovered.
This absence is notable not only because Box is Uriah Heep’s only constant member since their 1969 debut, but also because it comes at a pivotal moment. The band’s farewell tour — dubbed The Magician’s Farewell — marks the closing chapter of a career spanning more than five decades, during which Uriah Heep became one of British hard rock’s most enduring acts.
Fans will remember that Box had led the band through every era of its career, including earlier setbacks and injuries — such as a 2018 tour where he broke his wrist but continued to play with his arm in a cast.
“The Magician’s Farewell Tour” was announced in 2024 as a multi-year globe-spanning run designed to bring the band’s classic repertoire to fans around the world one last time. The Scandinavian dates that Box will miss are part of the 2026 leg of that tour, following earlier performances in the U.K. and other territories.
Fans on social media expressed sympathy for Box and appreciation for the band’s transparency, with many wishing him a swift recovery while also expressing excitement for the tour’s continuation.
Uriah Heep has stressed that Box’s health is the top priority and that they will continue to provide updates as his recovery progresses. The band hopes to see him back on stage later in the tour, once he is fully fit.
In the meantime, fans in Scandinavia and beyond will still be treated to Uriah Heep’s farewell performances, albeit with a temporary change in lineup for the opening dates — a reminder of both the physical demands of life on the road and the enduring spirit of one of rock’s longest-running bands.
