Steve Miller has recently faced allegations of dishonesty regarding the genuine reasons behind the cancellation of his highly anticipated tour, prompting his longest-serving bandmate to publicly defend him. The accusations suggest that the tour was scrapped due to disappointing ticket sales rather than the extreme weather conditions that Miller cited as the reason on Wednesday night.

Kenny Lee Lewis, who has been an integral part of Miller’s band since 1982, swiftly came to his defense against the criticism from fans who believe the cancellation was a cover-up. According to Miller, the combination of extreme heat, unpredictable flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, and massive forest fires made the risks unacceptable for the audience, the band, and the crew, leading to the cancellation of the 28-date tour that was set to launch on August 15.

Despite Miller’s statements, skepticism arose among fans, with many questioning the narrative and suggesting that low ticket sales were the real issue. Some fans even shared what they claimed were screenshots from Ticketmaster depicting numerous unsold seats across various shows on the tour. This backlash prompted music industry analyst Bob Lefsetz to dedicate two newsletters to the topic, where he criticized Miller and the perspective of older musicians in the current music scene.

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Lewis expressed his frustration in a passionate response on his Facebook page, which was also featured in a Lefsetz Letter post that compiled reactions to the situation. He recounted how Miller faced significant physical challenges during their first outdoor stadium performance, where he was opening for Journey and Def Leppard in Atlanta. According to Lewis, Miller struggled against heat exhaustion and required cooling measures, including air coolers and frozen gel packs, to endure the extreme conditions.

This sentiment about the challenges of performing in severe heat was echoed by Chrissie Hynde, the leader of The Pretenders, who recalled facing similar conditions while touring with Guns N’ Roses and Foo Fighters. Hynde reflected on the intensity of the heat during those outdoor events and expressed concern that such conditions might signal the end of outdoor concerts altogether.

Lewis continued by explaining that due to the difficulties faced during their 2024 tour planning, Miller initially aimed to book shows exclusively in indoor venues this year. However, logistical challenges prevented this from materializing, leading Miller to reluctantly agree to some outdoor performances to support their team and deliver what fans desired.

Regarding the claims that low ticket sales were the true reason for the tour cancellation, Lewis clarified that the band has historically performed well with last-minute ticket purchases. He reassured fans that even if sales were lower than expected, Miller has consistently been concerned about the dangers posed by extreme heat during performances. He recounted an alarming incident during that same Atlanta show, where the stage manager suffered a mini-stroke due to the oppressive conditions, highlighting that the safety of both the band and crew is paramount.

In summary, Lewis emphasized that Miller has always relied on his instincts, and in this situation, he made a wise decision to prioritize health and safety. He pointed out the challenges of performing at 81 years old when temperatures continue to break records, even during evening performances.