Illness has temporarily sidetracked the North American tour of anthemic rockers Live [ tickets ]. MTV News reported this week that lead singer Ed Kowalczyk, his brother Adam (who is playing rhythm guitar on the tour), and drummer Chad Gracey all came down with upper respiratory infections, resulting in the cancellations of three shows.

Live's official website states that Kowalczyk's condition ''has affected his ability to sing, and he has been instructed by his doctors to take some time off.'' The band is expected to reschedule the cancelled shows.

According to Universal Concerts Canada, Live has called off a scheduled appearance at The Warehouse in Toronto on Saturday (11/13). The band previously announced the postponements of shows that were to take place in Detroit on Wednesday and tonight in Cleveland. The band also pulled out of a scheduled Thursday appearance on ''The Late Show With David Letterman.''

The band's next scheduled performance is Sunday (11/14) in Cobbleskill, N.Y.

Live is touring behind their fourth album for Radioactive Records, ''The Distance to Here,'' which was released in October. The band is in the midst of a two-month North American tour that is scheduled to end in Philadelphia on Nov. 21.

A December tour of Europe will follow. Live is scheduled perform at Pennsylvania's Hershey Arena on New Year's Eve.

''The Distance to Here'' was co-produced by ex-Talking Head and Modern Lover Jerry Harrison, who also worked on Live's 1991 debut, ''Mental Jewelry,'' and the multi-platinum LP ''Throwing Copper.''