Bon Jovi Drummer Tico Torres Returns to Tour After Surgeries

Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres is back in action, having returned behind the kit just in time for the group’s show in Fresno.

The 60-year old musician had emergency gall bladder surgery on Sept. 20 just one week after undergoing an appendectomy at the American British Cowdray Hospital in Mexico City. Torres re-joined the tour on Tuesday evening.

“Welcome back Tico “The Hitman” Torres,” announced the group on its website. “After a round of emergency surgeries, Tico came back to the tour and played the full 2hr and 20min set.”

Ewing, N.J. native Rich Scannella filled in for Torres for the South American, Canadian and West Coast dates of the band’s “Because We Can” tour. Scannella, who had played with frontman Jon Bon Jovi in his solo group, The Kings of Suburbia, was contacted by the band on Sept. 10, the day Torres went into the hospital for his first surgery. He had just one week to learn 26 songs before taking over the skins for the band’s Rock in Rio date in Brazil.

“I was so fortunate to be asked to play with one of the biggest bands in the world,” Scannella tells The Hollywood Reporter. “I had an amazing time, and everyone in the Bon Jovi organization is incredible to be around and work with. They’re a top rate group. The pleasure was completely all mine, and I’m