Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres has undergone a second emergency surgery in as many weeks. On the heels of an appendectomy in Mexico City in mid-September, Torres found himself back in the hospital with severe abdominal pain. The result: emergency gall bladder surgery.

The band published the news on their website on September 20. Torres is expected to return to the stage – and Bon Jovi’s Because We Can tour – “in the very near future.”

“Tico Torres has been the heart and soul of our band since we started 30 years ago,” said Jon Bon Jovi. “He’s also one tough SOB and we look forward to him again pounding away brilliantly at the drums on remainder of this and future tours.”

While Torres is sidelined, Rich Scannella will step in as drummer. Scannella, who currently plays with Jon Bon Jovi’s Kings of Suburbia, has performed with such big names as Bruce Springsteen, Lada Gaga, and Sammy Hagar (Van Halen.)

The current leg of the Because We Can tour is taking place in Latin America. The band played Rio de Janeiro on Friday, and is set to perform in Sao Paulo on Sunday before moving on to Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City.

The band played in Rio de Janeiro as part of Rock in Rio. They headlined day five of the massive weeklong concert event. Other bands performing that day were Nickelback, Matchbox 20, and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Bon Jovi’s Rock in Rio performance was deemed a success as more than 90,000 fans sang along to classics such as You Give Love a Bad Name, Livin’ on a Prayer, and Always.

A high point of the performance came when Jon Bon Jovi pulled a fan from the audience and kissed her on stage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7BmS1Et37M

Bon Jovi is currently touring to promote their new album What About Now. The album debuted at #1 in the US in March, 2013 and sold 101,000 copies in its first week.

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