I read recently that he suffered a serious medical event atound that time and it was actually cult members speaking on his behalf that withdrew him from the show.

I think it was a relative of his claiming this.

>I read recently that he suffered a serious medical event atound that time and it was actually cult members speaking on his behalf that withdrew him from the show.

I saw him perform after he left the show and several months before he passed. He looked pretty unhealthy and I'm glad I had the chance to see him before that happened, He obviously was having some medical issues, but didn't discuss them during his performance.