Jane's Addiction rocker Perry Farrell is seeking medical treatment as he takes a moment “to reflect and heal” following an onstage fight with Dave Navarro.
Farrell's wife, Etty Lau Farrell, said on Instagram Sunday that she and her husband are taking steps to move forward from the viral fight and that Farrell, 65, has scheduled appointments with a neurologist and an otolaryngologist. The latter specializes in head and neck diseases and conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“If you know and love Perry well, you know there is no need for me to deal with the other false stories,” Lau Farrell continued. “Our souls know that.”
Earlier this month, Jane's Addiction abruptly canceled the remainder of its reunion tour after an onstage fight between Farrell and Navarro unexpectedly ended the band's Sept. 13 “Jane Says” show in Boston. Farrell appeared to push Navarro and the ensuing fight was broken up by stage crew, who separated the musicians, according to a video posted by TMZ.
In a joint statement, Navarro, Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins said the decision was due to “an ongoing pattern of behavior” and their bandmate’s “mental health issues.” All three said their “concern for his personal health and safety, as well as our own, has left us with no other choice.”
Prior to the tour cancellation, Lau Farrell had shared her perspective on the incident, alleging that in the aftermath of the fight, bassist Avery “put Perry in a headlock and punched him in the stomach three times.” She wrote that Farrell broke down afterward and “cried and cried.” In Sunday’s statement, she dubbed her singer husband “the gentlest soul” and said “we were equally astounded as fans by Perry’s physical outburst.”
“But you should know that Perry must have been pushed to the absolute limit,” she added before apologising to her followers. She also expressed optimism for her husband's recovery.
“He will be happy again. He will be able to share his music, his vision and his art without limits,” said Lau Farrell. “Make no mistake, when he is ready he will take another great leap over the obstacles to make us laugh and think, while we change the world together.”
Despite the tensions, Jane's Addiction released their latest single, “True Love,” last week.
Times staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report.
