Erik Grönwall has opened up about his departure from Skid Row and the circumstances surrounding his decision to leave the band.
In a recent interview with Chaoszine, Grönwall shared, “I left to respect the person I became after leukemia — the one who went through it all at the hospital. I made a promise to myself to always prioritize my health. When I realized I couldn’t do that while being in the band, I had to make the tough decision to step away.”
Reflecting on his time with Skid Row, he said, “I loved being in the band. We had a great connection, and I’ll always look back at those memories with a smile. I would have loved to stay, but we just couldn’t agree on the touring schedule. It wasn’t about not touring at all—I just needed more recovery time between shows.”
Grönwall proposed a compromise, suggesting, “Three weeks on the road, including travel, followed by a month off, and then repeat. But the band didn’t find that feasible, which I completely respect. Skid Row has been doing this long before I was even born, and they have their way of doing things. It just wasn’t something I could manage with my health needs.”
Following his exit, Grönwall announced his plans to tour Europe with Michael Schenker. This sparked backlash from some fans who questioned his ability to perform on the road after leaving Skid Row. One fan asked, “What happened to not being able to tour?” to which Grönwall responded, “I’m now medicine-free and fully vaccinated! I never said I couldn’t tour—just that the intensity back then was too much during my recovery. I’m feeling great and excited to head back out!”
Despite fans urging him to rejoin Skid Row, Grönwall is focused on his solo career while the band seeks a permanent vocalist. Skid Row recently wrapped up their 2024 tour with Lzzy Hale as a guest vocalist. Grönwall, meanwhile, made his return to the stage at Europe’s May 23 concert at Gröna Lund in Stockholm, Sweden.
For now, Erik Grönwall is forging his path, balancing his health with his passion for music, as both he and Skid Row look ahead to their next chapters.
