Injury forces Jason Newsted out of Rock Star Supernova

Rock Star Supernova bassist Jason Newsted was forced to leave the band for up to nine months after suffering injuries to both shoulders, according to Blabbermouth.net. Newsted was scheduled for immediate surgery after tearing an anterior labrum in his left shoulder and a bicep and rotator cuff in his right, reportedly while attempting to catch a 90-pound bass head that had fallen off his amp. The surgery will be followed by physical therapy that could take up to nine months. In a statement, the former Metallica bassist said, "I'm freaking out. My heart was set on finally getting on the road with these guys, but my main focus now is to build myself back to 100%. The stage is set for the band, I wish them the best of luck."

Ironically, neck and shoulder injuries were given as the reason for Newsted's 2001 departure from Metallica.

Rock Star Supernova was created on the second season of the CBS reality series Rock Star and also features Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, ex-Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke and newly-selected singer Lukas Rossi. Lee said about Newsted's departure, "Jason was always the right guy for this band and we'll miss having him with us as we kick off our album and tour, but we know he'll be back as soon as he can pick up and play."

Regarding a replacement, Lee added, "We've got a few monster guys in mind, any one of which can hit the ground running. Stay tuned."

Rock Star Supernova's self-titled debut album comes out on November 21st, with a North American tour scheduled to begin on New Year's Eve (December 31st) in Las Vegas.

The band was forced to change its name from Supernova after a California punk group with the same name successfully sued the manufactured Supernova, the Rock Star series, and its producers.