This is really sad.
I received this email from Anne Leighton Media:
My artist Daevid Allen of Gong has made an important decision in his battle fighting cancer.
I have not changed a single phrase, letter, punctuation mark as these are Daevid’s words.
He has posted this note in the news section on his website. www.planetgong.co.uk
I also want to make you aware while my colleagues at UK’s Snapper/K-Scope music and I were promoting the new Gong album I SEE YOU this past fall, Daevid Allen fell ill with cancer and its subsequent treatment. Today he posted a message, on the band’s website: www.planetgong.co.uk/news/current.shtml
Hello you Kookaburras,
OK so I have had my PET-CAT scans (which is essentially a full body viewing gallery for cancer specialists) and so it is now confirmed that the invading cancer has returned to successfully establish dominant residency in my neck.
The original surgery took much of it out, but the cancer has now recreated itself with renewed vigor while also spreading to my lung.
The cancer is now so well established that I have now been given approximately six months to live.
So My view has Changed:
I am not interested in endless surgical operations and in fact it has come as a relief to know that the end is in sight.
I am a great believer in “The Will of the Way Things Are” and I also believe that the time has come to stop resisting and denying and to surrender to the way it is.
I can only hope that during this journey, I have somehow contributed to the happiness in the lives of a few other fellow humans.
I believe I have done my best to heal, dear friends and that you have been enormously helpful in supporting me through this time
So Thank you SO much for being there with me, for the Ocean of Love
and Now, importantly, Thankyou for starting the process of letting go of me, of mourning then transforming and celebrating this death coming up – this is how you can contribute, this would be a great gift from those emotionally and spiritually involved with me.
I love you and will be with you always
– Daevid xxx –
Australian Daevid Allen formed Gong in France after failing to get a visa to return to the UK where he played guitar with the legendary Soft Boys in 1967. Through the years and numerous incarnations, and many types of Gongs, coming and goings including a fifteen year break, Gong have been a cutting edge experimental progressive rock band who give the term a good name.
A wonderful musician who will be missed.