NEWS: Paul Westerberg Is Down For The Count

MUSIC: Paul Westerberg Is Down For The Count

Someone call Winona Ryder. According to Minneapolis writer Jim Walsh's blog, ex-Replacements leader and all around cool guy Paul Westerberg severely injured his left hand and is out of commission for at least a year.



Apparently Paul was attempting to remove wax from a candle with a screwdriver when he slipped and put the tool through his left hand. Nerves were cut, cartilage was damaged and Westerberg ended up with a cast on his hand and an inability to play guitar in 2007, or so doctors have told him. Ouch.



The injury is an unfortunate turn of events and puts a negative cap on a very productive and positive 2006 for Paul. Westerberg kicked off this year's flurry of activity by hooking up with Tommy Stinson recording two new songs for Rhino's Don't You Know Who I Think I Was?: The Best of The Replacements retrospective, which hit stores last June. Paul also scored the animated film Open Season, which is now available on DVD. We were looking forward to more treats next year, Paul. Get better soon!

Balls.....

ouuuch, indeed! that sucks.

Nice details.

Paul's one of my favorites. He can't leave rock alone,the game needs him. he'll be missed for as long as he's gone.

I have loved his songwriting more than his performing.. hopefully his recovery is full and fast

Never deal with candles when drinking screwdrivers.

I'm reminded of Tom Petty's stage patter in a concert video he did. He explained how the doctor told him he'd never play guitar again when he broke his hand. Tom responded, "Fuck that." I think Paul will be okay after a lil while.

Ever heard "When the Shit Hits the Fans"? He could have played that with his toes.

I have read this somewhere before.

I hate it when that happens.