Drummer Appice To Undergo Shoulder Surgery

BLACK SABBATH drummer VINNY APPICE is taking a five-month hiatus to undergo surgery on his right shoulder.

The percussionist, who also plays for Dio, 3 Legged Dogg and Heaven & Hell, is scheduled to go under the knife to correct an injury on Monday (30Nov09).

Appice hurt himself during Heaven & Hell’s 2009 summer tour but he’s expected to make a return to the stage in five months’ time, reports Blabbermouth.net.

The news comes just days after his bandmate Ronnie James Dio announced he is battling stomach cancer.