Sudden heart sickness forces Dylan to pull out

BOB Dylan has been taken to hospital following a heart "scare" which has forced him to cancel concerts in Ireland and Britain.

The American singer/songwriter, who celebrated his 56th birthday last Saturday, has been diagnosed as suffering from histoplasmosis, a potentially fatal infection of the sac surrounding the heart. He is being treated at an undisclosed hospital in the USA.

The singer was due to top the bill with Van Morrison at the "Homecoming" concert in Millstreet, Cork, next Sunday. He was also billed as the main attraction at the Fleadh 97 in Finsbury Park, London, on June 7th.

Dylan has also cancelled dates in Glasgow, Birmingham and Sheffield.

A spokesperson for MCD, the promoters of the Millstreet event, said the concert would go ahead with the lineup of Van Morrison, The Corrs, Brian Kennedy, Paul Brady with Afro Celt Sound System, Naimee Coleman and Ron Sexsmith.

The concert is part of The Great Famine Event - a two day commemoration of the Famine with proceeds going to Gorta and the Big Issues magazine. Van Morrison will also top the bill at Fleadh 97 in London.

Bob Dylan is the most influential popular singer songwriter of modern times, releasing nearly 49 albums in a 35 year career. At his peak in the 1960s, Dylan was considered a spokesman for his generation, and his protest songs became anthems for America's counterculture.

In later years, Dylan lost much of his creative force, but he remained a tireless live performer, touring endlessly and rarely cancelling a show. His last Irish appearance was in April 1995 in Dublin's Point Theatre.

Yesterday his US based publicist said: "He is undergoing treatment and will remain hospitalised in the care of his physician until such time as they feel confident his condition has improved. After that time there will need to be a period of recuperation."

Dylan, who is said to be a moderate drinker, has homes in New York, Malibu and Minnesota.