Joan Jett Cancels September Tour Dates After Fractured Vertebra Surgery

Joan Jett has pulled out of her two remaining September 2026 concerts after having orthopedic surgery to repair a fractured vertebra. Her team shared the update through her Instagram Stories on August 5, 2026, saying the rocker will now devote her time to physical therapy and healing rather than touring.

• Cancelled shows: September 5 in Costa Mesa, California (Pacific Amphitheatre/OC Fair) and September 24 in Louisville, Kentucky (Bourbon and Beyond Festival)
• These were the only two dates still on Jett’s 2026 tour calendar
• Jett is 67 years old
• No details were released about how the injury occurred
• A fractured spine typically requires up to six weeks of initial recovery after surgery, with several additional months needed before the spine is fully healed, per the Cleveland Clinic

What Joan Jett’s Team Said About the Surgery

The message posted to Jett’s account explained that “following a recent injury, Joan Jett has undergone orthopedic surgery on a fractured vertebra and will begin the necessary healing process.” It added that the choice to step away from the stage was made “in close consultation with her doctors.”

The statement continued: “While Joan hates to disappoint fans, she will be taking this time to focus on physical therapy and healing. She’s looking forward to delivering tremendous concerts for many years to come.”

Joan Jett’s Schedule Right Before the Cancellation

Just two days before the announcement, on August 3, Jett had been actively promoting the same two shows on Instagram, telling fans “stateside shows coming up Sept 5 at @oc_fair @pacificamphitheatre and Sept 24 at @bourbonandbeyond in Louisville.” That same post thanked European audiences “for the summer love,” referencing her recent run of shows overseas.

In July 2026, Jett and the Blackhearts wrapped their first UK headline tour in 16 years, opening in Glasgow on July 2 and continuing through Manchester, Leeds, Wolverhampton and London, with support from punk duo The Meffs. Jett also took a support slot on My Chemical Romance’s bill at Wembley in early July, and her last concert before the cancellation took place on July 10 in Belgium.

Joan Jett’s ‘I Love Rock ‘N Roll’ 45th Anniversary Reissue

Even with the September dates scrapped, Jett and the Blackhearts are still moving ahead with a 45th-anniversary reissue of their 1981 album “I Love Rock ‘N Roll.” The record returns via Blackheart Records on August 28, 2026, on CD and on opaque sky blue vinyl.

Jett is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee whose catalog includes eight platinum or gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, among them “Bad Reputation,” “I Love Rock ‘N Roll,” “I Hate Myself For Loving You” and “Crimson And Clover.”

How Long Does Recovery From a Fractured Vertebra Take?

The Cleveland Clinic notes that patients who have surgery for a fractured spine generally need up to six weeks before the initial recovery period ends, with several more months required for the spine to heal completely. That timeline lines up with the reasoning Jett’s team gave for stepping back from touring through the rest of September.

More Info

• Joan Jett Calls Off Remaining 2026 Shows To Recover From Spinal Injury | JamBase
• Joan Jett cancels series of shows following medical surgery to focus on healing | Far Out Magazine
• Rocker Joan Jett, 67, cancels concerts due to scary injury that led to surgery | Page Six (Music/Celebrity)
• Joan Jett Cancels Upcoming 2026 Concerts Due to Injury | Ultimate Classic Rock
• Iconic US rocker Joan Jett forced to cancel tour due to mystery injury after undergoing secret surgery | The Sun Showbiz
• Joan Jett cancels tour dates due to "healing process" after surgery | NME
• JOAN JETT Cancels Shows After Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery On A Fractured Vertebra | Blabbermouth