Guitarist Chris Burney has announced his departure from Bowling For Soup after 30 years.
The rock star, 55, co-founded the band in 1994 alongside Jaret Reddick, who said that the group ‘would not be where we are without him’.
But after seven months of playing as a trio while the guitarist focused on his health, the group announced on Thursday that he has officially retired for good.
In a message to fans on Instagram, they revealed that they will be carrying on as they have been and have no plans to replace him.
A statement on Bowling For Soup’s Instagram read: ‘To All Our Amazing Bowling For Soup Fans…
‘It is with a heavy heart we announce that Chris Burney has made the decision to retire from his stage-right post in the band he co-founded in 1994.
Guitarist Chris Burney has announced his departure from Bowling For Soup after 30 years (pictured in 2019)

After seven months of playing as a trio while the guitarist focused on his health, the group announced on Thursday that he has officially retired for good
‘Some recent medical developments, 30 years of rocking balls and touring non-stop have made it difficult to continue. We are bummed to not have Chris by our sides, but absolutely support his decision.
‘The three of us will carry on, with Chris’ Blessing, and continue to build the legacy of this band we all love so much. We will not be replacing Chris or touring with a touring guitarist. You cannot replace a legend. We were brothers when we started this journey…and brothers we remain.
‘See you at the shows and in your ears.’
Speaking about the decision, frontman Jaret told K!: ‘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.
‘I can’t say it enough: we 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 are heading to the UK next month alongside Wheatus and Magnolia Park.
The band kick off a show on February 5 at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool.

Bowling for Soup formed in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1994. (L-R Gary Wiseman, Jaret Reddick, Erik Chandler and Chris Burney seen in 2003)

Chris co-founded the band in 1994 alongside Jaret Reddick, who said that the group ‘would not be where we are without him.’
From there, they will make stops in Edinburgh, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Plymouth, Swansea, Nottingham, and Brighton.
The final show of the tour will take place at the Bournemouth Intl Centre in Bournemouth on February 15.
Their fifth LP ‘A Hangover You Don’t Deserve’ was released on September 14, 2004 and its lead single ‘1985’ landed the Number Five spot on the US Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart.
Bowling for Soup formed in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1994. The band originally consisted of Chris, Jaret, Erik Chandler and Lance Morrill.
Over the years the rockers have released numerous albums, including Bowling for Soup, Rock on Honorable Ones!!, Let’s Do It For Johnny!!, and most recently Pop Drunk Snot Bread.
Aside from Girl All the Bad Guys Want, they are best known for singles 1985, Almost and High School Never Ends.
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