Crowbar’s Kirk Windstein has revealed he is currently unable to walk due to severe back problems. He confirmed the band’s upcoming co-headlining tour with Eyehategod will proceed as planned. The musician shared this update in a video posted on Facebook.
Windstein explained his current medical situation and how it will affect the upcoming performances.
“Hey, this is Kirk Windstein from Crowbar here. [I’m] super excited for the upcoming Crowbar/Eyehategod co-headlining tour. It’s gonna be amazing,” he said. “A little quick bit of info. I have sought medical attention both at the hospital and through my chiropractor, who I really love, and I either have, at the worst, a bad sciatica flare-up or potentially a ruptured disc in my lower spine.”
The 60-year-old musician emphasized his commitment to delivering quality performances despite his physical limitations.
“I don’t know either way, but, well, I don’t call in sick. I’m there to give y’all a hundred percent and please the fans the best I can,” Windstein continued. “So I’m probably gonna have to start this tour, which begins Thursday in Orlando — a sold-out show, by the way; thank you all — I’m probably gonna start this tour sitting down, but we’ll be singing and playing top-notch the best I can do.”
Windstein described the severity of his condition while maintaining an optimistic outlook.
“I can’t walk right now, and that’s the truth. I’ve got a cane, I’ve got a walker, and I’ve never had this kind of pain in my life. I’m 60 years old, and I’ve never had this pain in my life,” he said. “But anyway, I think positive; I don’t think negative. So it’s gonna be great, and we’re gonna kick ass every night. So thank y’all so much.”
This health setback comes at a significant time in Windstein’s career. He continues to balance his commitments across multiple influential metal projects.
Wikipedia reports that Windstein has been a central figure in the heavy metal scene since founding Crowbar. He has also been a key member of the supergroup Down alongside members of Pantera and Corrosion of Conformity. His involvement in Kingdom of Sorrow, a collaboration with Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed, further demonstrates his versatility across different metal subgenres.
Multiple metal news outlets have confirmed that Windstein will perform seated throughout the entire tour due to his mobility issues. MetalSucks and Metal Injection documented this adaptation. It shows the veteran musician’s determination to honor his commitments to fans despite facing unprecedented physical challenges.
The tour represents a significant collaboration between two pillars of the New Orleans sludge metal scene. The PRP noted that both Crowbar and Eyehategod have been instrumental in defining the heavy, slow-tempo sound that emerged from Louisiana in the 1990s. The co-headlining format allows both bands to showcase their extensive catalogs to audiences across the country.
Windstein’s decision to continue performing while seated demonstrates the resilience that has characterized his decades-long career in heavy music. His transparency about his condition and commitment to delivering quality performances reflects the strong connection he maintains with Crowbar’s dedicated fanbase. These fans have supported the band through various lineup changes and musical evolution over the years.
The tour is set to begin with a sold-out show in Orlando this Thursday.
