British hard rock legends URIAH HEEP have released the following statement:

"Trevor Bolder (bass) is going into hospital for an operation which will require several months' recuperation. Everyone connected with URIAH HEEP wishes Trevor a speedy operation and recovery, and Trevor's wishes are that the band should carry on without him, until he is fit and ready to come back.

"Venerated bass player John [JJ] Jowitt has agreed to deputise for Trevor at short notice, to ensure that the band's show in Israel at the end of January can still go ahead, Having spent 20 years with IQ, plus varying stints with ARK, ARENA, JADIS, FROST and other respected bands, John is renowned for his onstage charisma and has won Classic Rock Society's Bass poll on no less than 10 separate occasions.

"We know all of you out there will support Trevor and the band as we move forward together into 2013. Trevor will use his recuperation period to write songs for the new URIAH HEEP album, the follow-up to 'Into The Wild', which will be put together in the next 12 months."

Added URIAH HEEP guitarist Mick Box: "We all wish Trevor a speedy return to the fold, and in the meantime we are very pleased that JJ has agreed to step in and cover Trev's unique bass panache, so crucial to HEEP's sound. JJ will also contribute to the signature five-part vocal operatics."

Stated John Jowitt: "I have long been an admirer of Trevor Bolder's iconic playing, and it is a huge honour to be asked to stand in for one of the all-time greats of the bass. I intend to bring due respect to the legend that is URIAH HEEP, and I hope I can do justice to Trevor's presence, both on and off stage."

URIAH HEEP's latest album, "Into The Wild", was released in April 2011 via Frontiers Records. The CD was produced by Mike Paxman (STATUS QUO, ASIA) and features cover artwork (see below) by the renowned Greek-American artist Ioannis (LYNYRD SKYNYRD, STYX, SAGA).