Laryngitis-Stricken Adele Cancels Tour Dates, Talks INXS Cover For Next Album

Reigning chart queen Adele (until this week, of course) has been hit where it hurts the most — her voice. The 23-year-old Q cover girl is suffering from a bout of laryngitis, which has caused her to cancel five of her North American tour dates — in Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver. Says Adele’s official site, “she was diagnosed last Thursday in Minneapolis, MN, where doctors ordered immediate rest and postponement of that nights engagement at First Avenue (rescheduled for June 22nd). Adele performed on Saturday evening in Denver, CO (Ogden Theater) which proved too early a return to the stage.”

Adele’s trek across America is set to resume this Saturday (June 4), at the Greek Theatre Berkeley.

Meanwhile, MTV UK reports that the chart-topping singer is already discussing her third album, which she sees having a May 2012 release. (Only 11 more months to go, impatient Adele fans!)

“I have five tracks ready to go. One of them is quite upbeat – a real ‘girl power’ type of song,” Adele said. “I plan to do a cover of the INXS hit ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ which is probably my fave song of all time. The whole album will have quite a live feel to it.”

Here’s the original “Never Tear Us Apart,” for those not in the INXS know:

Damn…we forgot how truly fantastic that song is! “Never Tear Us Apart” was originally a Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1988.