Billy Strings Returns to Stage on Stool, Shreds With Les Claypool

There’s a reason bluegrass virtuosos are built different—Billy Strings proved it Sunday night in Detroit when he climbed back onstage for the first time since breaking both bones in his left leg during a skateboarding mishap backstage in Charlottesville, Virginia back in April.

The celebrated bluegrass musician didn’t let a healing fibula and tibia stop him from joining Les Claypool during the Primus portion of his Claypool Gold show. And because the lower half of your body is apparently optional when you’re that good with your hands, Strings parked himself on a stool and proceeded to rip wild solos on two Primus tracks:“Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver”and“Too Many Puppies.”

The moment was pure rock and roll—literally. As Strings settled in to tune up, Claypool joked,“Don’t hurt yourself now,”prompting Strings to playfully lift his still-healing leg. The banter perfectly captured the easy friendship between these two musicians, who’ve become fishing buddies and collaborators over the years. This wasn’t Strings’first time sharing a stage with Claypool, and they’ve even been spotted together in Claypool’s home studio, though an official release hasn’t materialized yet.

What makes this comeback particularly interesting is the contrast with how Strings initially approached the injury. He posted on Instagram that he had“every intention”of playing the final four gigs of his North American tour“Dave Grohling it”—a reference to the Foo Fighters frontman’s 2015 strategy of performing from a throne after breaking his leg. Grohl even texted Strings and offered him the throne. But after consulting with doctors, his family, band, and colleagues, Strings made the mature call to let the injury heal properly rather than push through.

Now he’s ready to get back to business. Strings will launch a full North American tour in July, complete with the rescheduled shows he had to postpone. Sunday’s appearance wasn’t just a comeback—it was proof that sometimes the best decisions aren’t about toughing it out, but about coming back stronger.