(Los Angeles, CA – July 9, 2015) Legendary guitarist, punk legend, and all-around nice guy, Billy Zoom, has been diagnosed with cancer. Yesterday, Zoom was given the news that he has an aggressive form of bladder cancer and immediate treatment is necessary to fight the disease. The 67-year-old musician/producer/electronics wiz will begin chemo treatment next week.
In early 2010, Zoom revealed that he had been successfully treated for prostate cancer.
X and Zoom are committed to this weekend’s 4-album play shows at Orange County’s The Observatory. Joining X for these shows will be The Blasters and Mike Watt.
X will continue with their previously announced July and August mid-west and east coast tour dates as planned in support of Billy and his family. A replacement for Zoom will be announced shortly.
X and manager, Mike Rouse, have begun a fund to help Zoom with his upcoming medical costs.
Statement from X:
In the music community, we all take turns helping each other & have since the beginning. Punk rock and benefits always went hand in hand: you name the cause, and the bands and fans will be there.
Now it’s our turn to help Billy Zoom,
the wittiest, smartest, nicest, best guitar player & friend I know. I would do anything to help him get better, help take care of his family, and lessen his woes. Billy has begun chemo treatment at Cedars Sinai for Bladder cancer. He has a long road ahead of him but we are confident he’s beat cancer once and he’ll do it again!
Please keep Billy in your prayers and send some positive energy his way!
Donating a few bucks will help take away some of his financial stress and worry.
It’s the punk rock thing to do.
Exene, John, DJ, and Mike
Please donate to Support Billy Zoom’s Kick Cancer Fight by visiting here:
I don’t where to begin with this. Wait, yes I do, how is it humanly possible that one of the greatest guitarists of his generation, a hero to millions, an icon, a master, a great great guy and a hugely successful career needs funding for his cancer treatment.
How is this possible.
Between my friend rock critic Kevin Ranson needing funding to keep his house (here) and Billy needing funding to pay for his chemo, we are watching the other shoe of the music business go third.
Okay, three subjects…
1 – How is it possible that the music industry has got to the place where a musician as illustrious as Billy needs a GoFundMe?
2 – Why doesn’t Obamacare handle it for him? Am I missing the picture here?
Oh, and finally, who will be replacing him on the current X Tour.
This is a travesty, how can you give your life to your art, be hugely successful, and still not have the money to pay for your healthcare? Forget mansions and crap, just to get healthy…
Something better change.