Nazareth singer Linton Osborne has left the band, saying “it didn’t work out.” He was confirmed as replacement for original frontman Dan McCafferty last year, after health issues forced the veteran to retire.
Osborne had performed a number of live shows with Naz during 2014, but some concerts were cancelled at the end of the year after he contracted a throat infection. Last week they announced their winter UK tour had also been postponed, with bandleader Pete Agnew reporting: “Although Linton is showing a slight improvement, his voice is in no condition to perform satisfactorily at this time.”
Now Osborne says via Facebook:
“I am no longer a member of Nazareth. It didn’t work out, for me, or for the band. I’d like to thank Pete, Jimmy Murrison and Lee Agnew for the opportunity. I’d also like to thank Dan for his support and encouragement. Most of all, I’d like to thank the fans – you guys are something else, and because of you it has all been worthwhile.”
He adds: “I hope to see you all again in the future at one of my own gigs. I’d also like to wish my successor all the best and Nazareth a fantastic 2015 and beyond.”
Agnew became the sole remaining founder member when McCafferty announced his decision to leave in 2013. He’d suffered increase issues with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which led to two incidents of him collapsing on stage.
McCafferty’s last album with Naz, Rock’n’Roll Telephone, was released last year. He recently collaborated on a song with Scots-American artist Stevie Agnew, after pointing out that studio performances remain possible although live sets are out of the question.
An intimate London show recorded with Osborne in November is scheduled for release on DVD in March.