Former Bowling For Soup guitarist Chris Burney revealed that he had two of his toes amputated — one month after he retired from the pop-punk band over “medical developments.”
Burney, who co-founded the Texas-based band in 1994, snapped a photo of his foot which was missing his big toe and his index toe.
“I’m a Free-nubbin, butt-rubbin son of a gun,” Burney, 55, quipped in the Instagram caption on Wednesday.
Last month, the band announced that the rocker would be leaving the band due to medical challenges and exhaustion from three decades on the road.
“We are bummed not to have Chris by our side, but absolutely support his decision,” the band wrote in a statement in January.
While Burney may have left the group, Lead vocalist Jaret Reddick, drummer Gary Wiseman, and bass and backing vocalist Rob Felicetti assured fans that Bowling For Soup’s future “remains bright.”
“The three of us will carry on, with Chris’ blessing and continue to build the legacy of this band we all love so much,” the group wrote.
“We will not be replacing Chris or touring with a touring guitarist. You can not replace a legend. We were brothers when we started this journey… and brothers we remain.”
It’s unclear if his toes were removed over the health issue. Burney has not yet revealed what health condition prompted him to retire from the band.
In an interview with Kerrang last month, Felicetti said Bowling For Soup “would not be where we are without (Burney).”
“He and I started this band 30 years ago, almost 31 now, and at one point, he was kind of the face of the band,” the lead singer said.
“I can’t say it enough: we wouldn’t be us, or where we are, without him. We’re very thankful for all the time that he put in. The guy retires a legend. There’s something to be said for that.”
Bowling For Soup revealed his retirement as they geared up for their 20th-anniversary tour, “A Hangover You Don’t Deserve,” which kicked off in the UK on Feb. 5.
Fans of the guitarist showered Burney with support on Wednesday, wishing him the best and telling him his presence is missed on stage.
“U was well missed at the gig in Nottingham last week,” one fan commented.
“Hope (you’re) well thank you for all you have done,” another wrote.
“‘I’m so sorry dude. You’ll be in my prayers,” commented another.
Burney’s health issues started becoming apparent to fans when he took a hiatus from the band to recover from a leg injury and missed the group’s performance at Download Festival 2024, according to Blunt Mag.
Bowling for Soup was formed in Wichita Falls, TX., in 1994 by Reddick, Burney, Lance Morrill, and Erik Chandler — with Reddick now the only remaining founding member left in the group after Morrill left the band in 1994 and Chandler in 2018.
The band’s fan-favorite hits, such as “Girl All the Bad Guys Want,” “1985,” and “High School Never Ends,” have been staple songs in the pop-punk genre over the years.
Bowling for Soup’s last album, “Pop Drunk Snot Bread,” dropped in 2022.
