The White Stripes have cancelled upcoming tour dates in the U.S. because of health issues for drummer Meg White.

"Meg White is suffering from acute anxiety and is unable to travel at this time," the Detroit duo said Tuesday in a posting on their website.

White Stripes duo Meg and Jack White playing a spontaneous gig on a Winnipeg bridge on July 2.White Stripes duo Meg and Jack White playing a spontaneous gig on a Winnipeg bridge on July 2.
(CBC)

"We hate to let people down and are very sorry."

Meg White is said to be shy and likes to guard her privacy. In most interviews, singer-guitarist Jack White does the talking.

The White Stripes took a cross-Canada tour this summer including first-time dates in Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit. That tour ended in St. John's on July 17.

They have cancelled 18 shows, starting with Thursday's show in Albuquerque, N.M., and extending to Oct. 10, when they were to play in Hawaii.

However, no announcement has yet been made about their tour of the U.K., which is scheduled to start Oct. 24 in Glasgow.

The White Stripes are touring in support of their latest album Icky Thump.