TORONTO — Simple Plan is pushing back several Canadian tour dates this month as lead singer Pierre Bouvier deals with a vocal cord injury.

The Montreal pop-punk band says Bouvier encountered a sudden throat pain earlier this week as he was singing in studio.

After being examined by his doctor, he was instructed to go on immediate vocal rest.

The band says Bouvier was told to refrain from singing for the next four weeks to avoid any permanent vocal cord damage.

Tour dates in London, Ont., Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City that were all slated for later this month have been pushed to March.

Shows in Ottawa and Halifax will also be moved, though rescheduled dates haven’t been set.

“We all decided together as a band that taking this precautionary measure was the best course of action for the long-term health of Pierre and for our career,” they said in a statement.

Simple Plan aims to return to the stage in early December for a number of dates in South America.

The band has been touring for most of this year to promote their fifth studio record “Taking One For The Team,” which came out in February.

Bouvier, 37, has led the band since before their debut album, 2002’s “No Pads, No Helmets … Just Balls,” which was a breakout hit with singles like “I’m Just a Kid,” and “Perfect.”

Vocal cord injuries also sidelined rocker Gregg Allman on Wednesday for the rest of this year and the beginning of 2017.

Other pop singers who have required vocal cord surgery in recent years include Michael Buble, Adele, Sam Smith and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger.

 

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David Friend, The Canadian Press