Bowling for Soup’s Co-Founding Band Member Permanently Retires, Cites “Recent Medical Developments”

Chris Burney has played his final show with Bowling for Soup. On Jan. 22, the band took to Instagram to announce that their co-founder has retired.

“It is with a heavy heart we announce that Chris Burney has made the decision to retire from his stage-right post in the band he co-founded in 1994,” the post read. “Some recent medical developments, 30 years of rocking balls and touring non-stop have made it difficult to continue. We are bummed to not have Chris by our sides, but absolutely support his decision.”

Burney stepped back from the group last summer amid health concerns. Since then, the band has played as a trio, with Jaret Reddick, Gary Wiseman, and Rob Felicetti taking the stage. 

Despite Burney’s exit, the band assured fans that “the future of Bowling For Soup remains bright.”

“The three of us will carry on, with Chris’ blessing, and continue to build the legacy of this band we all love so much,” the post read.

The band shared that they will not “be replacing Chris or touring with a touring guitarist” because “you cannot replace a legend.”

“We were brothers when we started this journey…and brothers we remain,” the post read. “See you at the shows and in your ears.”

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In February, Bowling for Soup will bring their A Hangover You Don’t Deserve 20th Anniversary Tour to the U.K., where they’ll play 10 shows.

Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images