Offspring guitarist Kevin Wasserman pauses touring for health recovery

Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, guitarist and founder of the punk rock band The Offspring, has announced he must step away from live performances to address a sudden and serious health issue. The 63-year-old musician stated in an Instagram post that he needs time to focus on his recovery, though he did not disclose specific medical details about his condition.

Wasserman emphasized that the rest of the band remains fully committed to their upcoming schedule. He wrote that his bandmates are "super supportive" and will continue to perform for fans during his absence. The guitarist expressed hope to return to the stage sooner rather than later, thanking fans for their thoughts and support during this period.

The announcement generated immediate responses from across the music and skateboarding communities. Pierre Bouvier of Simple Plan posted a message of solidarity, calling Wasserman a legend and wishing him a quick recovery. Jim Lindberg, frontman of Pennywise, urged Wasserman to "get back ripping quick." The band Garbage also sent words of encouragement, while professional skateboarder Steve Caballero offered prayers for a healthy and speedy healing process.

The Offspring originally formed in the 1980s in Garden Grove, California, under the name Maniac Subsidal. The lineup included Bryan "Dexter" Holland on vocals, Greg "K" Kriesel on bass, James Lilja on drums, and Wasserman on guitar. The group released their self-titled debut album in 1989 and gained moderate success with their 1994 album "Smash." After signing with Columbia Records, they released "Ixnay on the Hombre" in 1997 and the widely celebrated "Americana" in 1998. The latter album featured commercial hits including "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)," "Why Don't You Get a Job?" and "The Kids Aren't Alright."

Wasserman's final performance with the band took place in San Diego on October 18. Despite his absence, The Offspring is scheduled to perform in Los Angeles on Saturday. The group has multiple additional shows planned for November and is set to headline the iHeartRadio ALTer Ego 2027 festival in Los Angeles on January 16.