Page "XTC" Paragraph 11

Andy Partridge's breakdown, which manifested itself as uncontrollable stage fright, was reportedly precipitated by his wife throwing away his supply of Valium.

According to the band's biography, the drug was prescribed to him as a teenager during his parents ' divorce but he was never withdrawn from the drug and became dependent on it.

Concerned about her husband's dependence on the drug, Partridge's wife threw his tablets away — without seeking medical advice — just before the Paris concert.

Partridge particularly needed the medication to cope with the grinding monotony of concert touring, which he had always hated, but had endured for the good of the band.

The sudden withdrawal of medication brought on anxiety attacks of such severity that he was soon forced to withdraw from performing permanently.

The European and British dates were cancelled and after completing only one show in San Diego the whole US leg was also abandoned.

Since then, XTC became exclusively a studio band, apart from occasional live-to-air performances from radio stations, and a handful of TV appearances.