Singer El DeBarge has canceled his long-awaited comeback tour just days before it was to begin and immediately entered a rehab program for substance abuse problems.
The 49-year-old R&B star has been on the comeback trail the past few months, releasing his fan favorite, “Second Chance” (his first album in 16 years) last November.
[WATCH: "Second Chance" ~ El Debarge ~ VIDEO]
El started his comeback with a performance at the 2010 Essence Festival, followed by a show-stopping performance at last year’s BET Awards. He also scored two Grammy nominations—for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song.
Debarge was scheduled to perform on “The Intimacy Tour” alongside Grammy-nominated singer KEM, he also had secured a gig as the opening act for Mary J. Blige and planned to tour extensively on his own in 2011. 
Now those tours… and his comeback, are on an “indefinite” hold.
Debarge has been open about his struggles with drug abuse – particularly crack and heroin and had even been featured in StraightFromTheA.com’s mugshot mania collection prior to cleaning up his act.
[READ: MUGSHOT MANIA: El "Long Hair Don't Care" Debarge + Flashback Footage]
In a press release, Debarge states,
I hate to disappoint my fans but it is necessary for me to take the time to work on me so that I may continue to share my music and my story with everyone.
I thank everyone in advance for their prayers and well wishes and hope that you will respect my privacy during this time.
I’m praying for El and hopes he gets it all back on track soon.
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Dang I was really hoping he would do well too. Health is wealth El get healthy we know you still got the pipes
)
Wish him the Best!
Addiction takes years to beat…good for you El for recognizing a relapse and seeking help. God bless.
That is so sad….I was really looking forward to his comeback. They just had a special on El’s life and comeback. The devil is always busy!!! I wish him the best.
Wow! Bless his spirit.
GET IT TOGETHER EL WE LOVE YOU …
y EL ??? i guess they never said he has been to rehab prior to his comeback. i mean i had just watched unsung last year about him and they said he was still out there. their families past has truly haunted him and if he makes a definite comeback, he needs a drug counselor every step of the way.
shout out to Charlie Sheen…he’s another one that has been abusing drugs for years. it’s like they really think they can overcome it thru their work but it seems like it only entices them. i guess due to the availability.
Thats sad. He actually had ppl rooting for him to do so well. What a let down.
My heart hurts for him and anyone who struggles with this. I root for him SO HARD and still am gonna root for him to overcome it. You can do it EL. God Bless
@SFTA…did u hear of EL and Chilli dating for a sweet second?
He went from jail to recording…
He needs all the help he can get,it’s not easy breaking away from drugs….GOD help him
ooooh naw! I haven’t heard that Korney. That’s funny! lol
Korney…lol. that is funny though. i don’t know how true it is though.
[...] history of drug addiction, abruptly canceled a much anticipated come-back tour earlier this year to return to rehab but now he’s back clean & [...]
[...] El DeBarge (the most successful of the group) just recently returned to the music scene after abruptly leaving his comeback tour to check into [...]