The rumor was sparked after the band canceled their concert last Wednesday (August 13th) in Concord, Ca due to an illness within the band. Gossip site TMZ reported that an anonymous "source close to the band" informed them that Kramer has suffered heart issues in the past and an unnamed "member of the crew" told them that Kramer will be undergoing heart surgery. But they stipulated that they were unable to confirm the surgery rumor.

Kramer addressed the rumor on Friday. He issued the following statement, "I'm feeling better than ever and I'll be back sitting in the best seat in the house, hitting it harder than ever for our amazing fans. My gratitude and thanks for all the love and support showered on me during this time. #LetRockRule."

The drummer's wife Linda took things a little bit further on Twitter, confirming that Joey was in the hospital for a heart related procedure but called out the report for blowing things "out of proportion".

She tweeted, "Despite whats being reported n media my husband @joeykramer is NOT undergoing emergency open heart surgery he has NOT had prior heart issues". And she also tweeted, "Media blowing out of proportion The truth is Yes my husband @joeykramer is in the hospital having a procedure related to his heart."

On Saturday, the band resumed their North American Let Rock Rule Tour that features support from Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators which runs until September 9th.