‘Heartbroken’ Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell speaks about Dave Navarro fight and canceled tour

Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell is addressing the onstage brawl with bandmate Dave Navarro, resulting in the abrupt cancellation of their tour.

The incident went down Friday during a Boston show, with a heated Farrell, 65, getting in Navarro’s face, throwing punches, and needing to be restrained by several crew members and bassist Eric Avery.

Perry Farrell performs with Jane’s Addiction. Getty Images
Perry Farrell performs with Jane’s Addiction. Getty Images
Dave Navarro and Farrell fight during their Boston concert Friday night. Richard Whitaker via Storyful
Dave Navarro and Farrell fight during their Boston concert Friday night. Richard Whitaker via Storyful

Farrell said Monday, “This weekend has been incredibly difficult, and after having the time and space to reflect, it is only right that I apologize to my bandmates, especially Dave Navarro, fans, family and friends for my actions during Friday’s show.”

He continued, “Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior, and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation.”

Farrell’s note on the Navarro fight and canceling tour. Instagram / @perryfarrellofficial
Farrell’s note on the Navarro fight and canceling tour. Instagram / @perryfarrellofficial
Navarro and Farrell. Richard Whitaker via Storyful
Navarro and Farrell. Richard Whitaker via Storyful

Sources close to the situation exclusively told The Post that Farrell “has had a really difficult weekend digesting everything that’s happened since Friday.”

They said his wife “has been his rock for over two decades” and felt like she “needed to defend him,” which is why she put out her own statement on Instagram.

“Both of them know Perry prompted the situation onstage, and it was his responsibility to apologize,” the source stated.

As for Farrell, the insider added he’s “heartbroken at his actions,” adding he needs to prioritize himself right now.

“He realizes that he waited too long to prioritize his well-being. His exhaustion and the toll it has taken on both his physical and mental health has gone too far,” the insider told The Post. “He had the best of intentions heading out on tour with the band and feels like he’s let his fans and family down.”

Navarro and Farrell. Richard Whitaker via Storyful
Navarro and Farrell. Richard Whitaker via Storyful
Navarro and Farrell perform at Trinity College Park on June 28. Redferns
Navarro and Farrell perform at Trinity College Park on June 28. Redferns

The rock group canceled its Sunday show in Bridgeport, Conn., following the Friday night fight; however, the aftermath didn’t stop there.

On Monday, Jane’s Addiction canceled its remaining tour dates.

“To all the fans, the band have made the difficult decision to take some time away as a group,” the band said in a statement on its Instagram account.

“As such, they will be cancelling the remainder of the tour,” the message read, adding that fans will be refunded.

Navarro and Farrell perform with Jane’s Addiction at Pier 17 Rooftop. Getty Images
Navarro and Farrell perform with Jane’s Addiction at Pier 17 Rooftop. Getty Images
Jane’s Addiction cancels rest of tour. Instagram / @davenavarro
Jane’s Addiction cancels rest of tour. Instagram / @davenavarro

Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins, both 57, and Avery, 59, released a separate statement, blaming Farrell for the altercation and tour cancelation.

“Due to a continuing pattern of behavior and the mental health difficulties of our singer Perry Farrell, we have come to the conclusion that we have no choice but to discontinue the current US tour,” they shared.

“Our concern for his personal health and safety as well as our own has left us no alternative. We hope that he will find the help he needs,” they added.

The other band members released their own statement. Instagram / @davenavarro
The other band members released their own statement. Instagram / @davenavarro
The statement. Instagram / @davenavarro
The statement. Instagram / @davenavarro

“We deeply regret that we are not able to come through for all our fans who have already bought tickets. We can see no solution that would either ensure a safe environment on stage or reliably allow us to deliver a great performance on a nightly basis.”

Farrell’s bandmates concluded by sharing their “hearts are broken.”

Jane’s Addiction was performing at the Leader Bank Pavilion when the concert erupted in chaos.

The band said their “hearts are broken.” Instagram / @davenavarro
The band said their “hearts are broken.” Instagram / @davenavarro

While singing “Ocean Size,” Farrell became visibly agitated and shouting at the audience and his band before taking his anger out on Navarro.

The frontman began ramming his shoulder into the guitarist before throwing punches at him. That’s when others intervened and removed Farrell from the stage.

The band immediately issued an apology, prompting Farrell’s wife, Etty Lau Farrell, to address the situation and shed light on what led to his outburst.

She claimed he grew aggravated when the instruments started drowning out his voice.

Farrell at La Riviera on June 18. Redferns
Farrell at La Riviera on June 18. Redferns
Navarro and Farrell. Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP
Navarro and Farrell. Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP
Navarro and Farrell in 2016. WireImage
Navarro and Farrell in 2016. WireImage

Etty Lau alleged that when the three band members left the stage, Avery “walked up to Perry, upstage, in the dark, behind [sound technician Dan Cleary], put Perry in a headlock and punched him in the stomach three times.

“Perry was a crazed beast for the next half an hour — he finally did not calm down, but did breakdown and cried and cried,” she wrote.

Jane’s Addiction was formed in 1985 in Los Angeles. It quickly became one of the most successful alternative rock bands of the ’90s.

Jane’s Addiction in 1988. From left, Farrell, Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery. Getty Images
Jane’s Addiction in 1988. From left, Farrell, Navarro, Stephen Perkins and Eric Avery. Getty Images
Jane’s Addiction Getty Images
Jane’s Addiction Getty Images
The band circa 1997. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
The band circa 1997. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The Grammy-nominated group had an initial farewell tour in 1991. Their 2024 tour marked the reunion of the four original members after Avery returned to the band and Navarro came back after a long battle with COVID.

Jane’s Addiction played 17 shows before ending the tour.

There wasn’t always tension between Farrell and Navarro.

The frontman admitted to missing Navarro during the guitarist’s COVID battle.

“I wish I would have my dear guitar player around,” Farrell told The Post in 2022. “[But] I live to bring entertainment and art to the world. And whatever I can do to entertain you, to blow your mind, that’s what I live for.”

The band filled Navarro’s spot with several rockers, including Queen of the Stone Age guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

“How do you go about finding a guitar player to fill the shoes of Dave Navarro? We had to put the word out to people that we knew, that we loved, and Troy fit the bill the best of all the people that we considered,” Farrell said.