Down with a virus, McCartney cancels Tokyo concert

Here’s a photo of Paul on stage at the Tokyo Dome in November 2002 taken by Bill Bernstein. Photo courtesy of Paul McCartney’s official Facebook page.

TOKYO — Paul McCartney came down with a virus and canceled his Tokyo concert Saturday, but he added a performance to make up for the lost show.

“I am very sorry to all my fans as I was greatly looking forward to the concert, but the situation is out of my hands,” the former Beatle said on the official Facebook site for his “Out There Japan Tour 2014.”

He said he felt sick Friday, and that doctors told him Saturday to cancel his appearance that night at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

But McCartney said he should be well enough for Sunday’s scheduled concert and Monday’s makeup.

Organizers said tickets for Saturday’s show are valid for Monday, but a refund will also be offered. Ticket prices range from 13,500 yen ($130) to 17,500 yen ($170), and an extra 67,000 yen ($650) payment allows entry into the sound-check.

McCartney is also scheduled to perform at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo on Wednesday, and at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka next Saturday. He then plays in Seoul, before hitting several U.S. venues, including Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Some disappointed Japanese fans grumbled on social networking sites that they had traveled for hours from out of town, while others expressed hopes McCartney would get better soon. The online sites periodically went down Saturday from excessive clicks.

“We are planning to replay this show on Monday. I really hope you can make it. Love, Paul,” McCartney said.