While singer Adam Gontier shocked his fans by announcing his departure from Three Days Grace yesterday (Jan. 9), he's not retiring from the stage entirely. The vocalist will play his first show since leaving the band next Thursday (Jan. 17) as part of the special acoustic 'Rock for Recovery' benefit for victims of Hurricane Sandy at New York's Gramercy Theatre.

Gontier will share the bill with such acts as Art of Dying, Hurt, Smile Empty Soul, Edisun, Before the Curtain and Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Mercury One Foundation. Gontier confirmed his participation in the event via his Facebook page, and even offered the opportunity for fans to win a pair of free tickets by simply sharing his Facebook post. Tickets for the 'Rock for Recovery' benefit may be purchased here.

The singer's newly solo status came as a surprise to many, but it was revealed that the decision to step away from the band was made just prior to Christmas. With Three Days Grace already committed to a co-headlining tour with Shinedown, the band moved quickly to recruit My Darkest Days' Matt Walst to fill-in for the departed Gontier.

The vocalist said of his exit that even though a "health issue" was cited with the announcement of his departure that he had not fallen prey to his drug or addiction past and that his sobriety remains intact. He added, "After twenty years of being part of an ever evolving band, I have been inspired by life, to move on and to continue to evolve on my own terms." See his full letter by clicking below:

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