Music world rocked by cancer in 2025. These singers have been sharing their fight with fans

Music is a great escape for so many in tough times, but cancer is an insidious and unfair disease so not even music is safe from its reach.

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Because of that, several prominent — David Johansen of the New York Dolls, Chris Jasper of The Isley Brothers, DJ Funk and Linda Nolan to name a few — have tragically died battling the disease already in 2025.

Meanwhile, many more musicians battle it bravely, often sharing the fight with their fans.

The following is a look at some of those prominent artists who have shared their cancer battles:

Doug Aldrich

Doug Aldrich, a former guitarist with Whitesnake, Dio and currently The Dead Daisies, recently provided an update on his health after announcing last year that he was battling throat cancer.

Per Blabbermouth, Aldrich said in an interview with Radio Bypass’ Ralph Rasmussen that he had a “very successful” surgery about five months ago.

“Everything’s good,” Aldrich said. “I got done with all the radiation treatments in December, and then it’s just been a quick six weeks or whatever. It’s just flown by. But I’ve been feeling good. Everything’s kind of getting back to normal. I’m starting to go to the gym a little bit and work on my muscles and stuff and getting going again like that. So I’m good. I’ve bene playing a lot. There’s a few little issues that pop up — I get some swelling sometimes. After they do that surgery on you, there’s some restructuring of your nasal cavity and stuff like that in your throat. So there’s a little bit to get used to, but I can’t complain. I’m doing really good. And after what I went through, I’m definitely blessed.”

Aldrich said he had to do radiation treatments five days per week, and that the biggest side effect was fatigue.

“But after a couple of weeks of being done with it, I feel my energy is back,” he said. “I’ve been taking it easy in the gym ‘cause I don’t wanna strain anything. I’ve done that in the past where I was getting ready for a tour and I started to do some heavy weights and I’d pull something, and it’s like I got an issue for six months for it to come back. So I’m taking it pretty easy. But I’m feeling good, and, yeah, overall, I can’t complain at all.”

Blabbermouth reported that Aldrich was asked if he was in the “clear” from cancer.

“I don’t know if I’m in the clear,” he said. “I guess it takes five or seven years before you’re actually clear, but the doctors — the surgery was really good. Everything was positive, and they fried me really good for six weeks, so I’m pretty sure everything else that was left over is gone. But I got some blood work done last week. We’ll see what that says. And then I’ve got a PET scan, and that’s a full body scan again to determine if everything’s good.”

Aldrich said he is planning to join The Dead Daisies on tour next month.

The Dead Daisies first announced Aldrich’s cancer on the band’s Facebook page last September.

“Hi, to all Daisies fans,” the post read. “We have some crappy news we’d like to share… Unfortunately Doug has been diagnosed with a treatable throat cancer and has to undergo surgery this week. Moving forward, Doug will not be available for the next run and subsequently long-time good friend & bandmate from the Whitesnake days, Rob Beach, will be filling in for the upcoming European dates. Please join us in wishing Doug all the best for a speedy recovery.”

Aldrich, 61, has also played with the likes of Lion, Hurricane, House of Lords, Bad Moon Rising and Revolution Saints.

Also, per Ultimate Classic Rock, Aldrich auditioned in 1981, at the age of 18, to replace Ace Frehley in Kiss.

Michael Bolton

Iconic singer Michael Bolton’s recent announcement as he battles brain cancer has fans sending prayers.

The star took to social media recently to let fans know that he will need more time to recover from a recent brain surgery. Because of that, he announced that he was cancelling his scheduled July 5 concert at London’s O2 Arena.

“You all know how much I was looking forward to this show but I am continuing to heal from surgery,” he wrote on his Instagram stories. “Thank you for all your love and positive energy over this past year. I am so grateful to have the most supportive fans in the world.”

Fans showed up to send him prayers and well-wishes on his Instagram posts.

“Love everything you do Michael Bolton,” one fan wrote. “Prayers and wishes for (your) recovery.”

“Michael, your music goes right to the heart and soul and always has,” another wrote. “Thank you for all the years of the amazing music you brought to the world it definitely paid off, and I wish you a complete recovery rooting for you all the way always you are the best of the best. Te amo mucho you will always hold a special place in my heart forever Michael Bolton.”

There were plenty of other comments like that coming in on Bolton’s social media account.

Bolton, who is slated to turn 72 later this month, first announced that he had a brain tumor and had to undergo emergency surgery in January of 2024. He said then that “just before the holidays, it was discovered that I had a brain tumor, which required immediate surgery.”

“For the next couple of months, I will be devoting my time and energy to my recovery which means I’ll have to take a temporary break from touring,” he wrote then. “It is always the hardest thing for me to ever disappoint my fans or postpone a show but have no doubt I am working to accelerate my recovery and get back to performing soon.”

Bolton went on to say he was “grateful for all the love and support” from his fans.

“Know that I’m keeping your positive messages in my heart, and I’ll give you more updates as soon as I can,” he continued. “Much love always, MB.”

Bolton, who has reportedly sold more than 75 million albums across his long career, remained busy through 2023, dropping two albums, “Spark of Light,” and “Christmas Time.”

Vivian Campbell

Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell is one tough dude, and we know that because he has been battling cancer for more than a decade.

That’s why it raised some eyebrows when he missed the band’s first show of 2025 due to the disease. Now we know, though, that he was out for a very important reason.

“Thank you for all recent messages and support,” Campbell wrote on social media in January. “As you all may know, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma several years ago. I recently had a bone marrow transplant as part of my treatment plan, and it’s safe to say thus far it’s been a very successful transplant! I just have to keep my head down and my spirits up for the next 100 days of primary recovery.”

LouderSound.com reported that Campbell has been battling Hodgkin lymphoma since 2013.

“I’m still dealing with the lymphoma,” Campbell reportedly told the Lymphoma Voices podcast in 2023. “It’s sort of like — it’s an American expression — Whac-a-Mole. You beat something back and then it pops up somewhere else. But it’s been a pretty consistent battle, but it hasn’t been too difficult for me. I deal with it fine. I’ve been able to live my life.”

Campbell told the podcast that for the bulk of his journey he has been able to treat the cancer with immunotherapy.

“Starting in June of 2015, I started taking a drug called pembrolizumab,” he said. “I remember that at the time my doctors wanted me to do radiation and maybe a combination of radiation and chemo. And I just thought, ‘Well, let’s just try this immunotherapy thing. Lets see if this works’ So I managed to get on the trial. I’m happy to say that it worked well for me.”

It looks like Campbell will be out of action for a while, but a successful bone marrow transplant will hopefully free him from cancer.

Paul Cauthen

A post to Paul Cauthen’s Instagram page back in February let fans know that he was leaving the road to return home to “take care of his mental and physical health.”

Turns out, that decision very well may have saved the 39-year-old country and country rock singer’s life, and we know that because Cauthen told the world as much in a follow-up video he posted to his Instagram account on Thursday.

“How y’all doing, Paul Cauthen here,” he said. “It’s been a while since I’ve talked to my fans and wanted to give y’all a little message here today. I know, I have kind of been blacked out and you know, not really present online. But, just know that it has been for the right reasons.”

Cauthen explained that he got pneumonia while he was out on the road and was “taking a bunch of steroids to get me through those shows.”

“But something woke me up, and I was blue in my lips and white my face, and it just scared the hell out of me,” he said. “I went up to the front of the bus, and talked to my bus driver, Tony, and I was like, ‘Where are we?’ I looked out the front of the bus window, and it said Des Moines International Airport next exit. I flew home. I kind of shoo myself and listened to myself for the first time in a long time.”

Cauthen said he decided to go to the Cooper Clinic in Dallas after he got healthy for a few weeks because he “wanted to get my body checked out.”

“Go up there, and I get a bunch of scans done,” he said. “Happened to be clear. Great heart, lungs, liver’s great. He said, but you know we do have this one little spot, what he called a hot spot, and they found a mass in my right thyroid.

“They told me it is papillary carcinoma, and it’s cancer.”

The good news is, that per the Cleveland Clinic, papillary carcinoma is the most common kind of thyroid cancer and often has an excellent prognosis.

“Looking back at it all, slowing down and taking some time to get healthy, and getting off the road actually probably ended up saving my life,” Cauthen said. “I have had a lot of time to reflect and realize that life is short and precious. Just know that I thank you so much for all of your unwavering support through it all.

“I will tour again,” he promised. “I will sing on stage again. I’m not done by any means. I’ll have new music. I will keep on writing and keep on doing what I know that I need to do, and I know that I’m a vessel on stage, that God has me here for a reason and had me go up to Cooper Clinic and get all this checked out for a reason.

“So, thank you, God bless and be kind to one another.”

Jeffrey Hatrix

Jeffrey Hatrix, the former frontman for the popular metal band Mushroomhead, has given an update on his cancer battle just weeks after first making the revelation.

In a post recently shared by his daughter, Mea, on his GoFundMe account, he revealed that he is not using conventional methods to attack the disease.

“Hello everybody, my dad wanted to give another update,” Mea wrote. “He is now 1 week fully into his alternative medicine treatment. Which consists of 9 tinctures and 2 capsules. 3 times a day over the course of 8 weeks, not 6 as his dyslexic brain first told him. This protocol is from Morse Healthcare out of Florida and it goes with a diet of Fruit and Vegetables and daily visits to his steam sauna. We would both like to thank you all more than words could ever say. Love, Mea.”

In a previous update she passed along that her father was grateful for all the support.

“We are blown away by the outpouring of love and support and words could never say how much this means,” she wrote.

She also promised that new music was coming.

Hatrix, better known by his stage name Jeffrey Nothing, had the GoFundMe launched by Mea to help support his treatment in January.

“My dad has recently been diagnosed with cancer just months after losing my mom to the same thing,” she wrote. “Due to this, he may have to stop working during his treatment. Anything means everything. Thank you.”

The fundraiser has a goal of $20,000 and has currently raised just more than $18,000.

Hatrix’s wife, Stacy, reportedly died from cancer in April 2024. She was just 38.

Hatrix’s particular form of cancer was not disclosed in the reports or in the GoFundMe.

Blabbermouth reported that Hatrix also shared the GoFundMe to his social media and wrote, “I really wanted to keep this to myself. I was diagnosed a couple months ago. It will be very hard to continue working with the treatment path I have chosen. Thank you for anything you can do to help. I know everyone is going through a lot.”

Hatrix left Mushroomhead in 2018, and he sued the band’s drummer and producer, Steve “Skinny” Felton last year claiming copyright infringement and also alleging that he had not been paid owed royalties, per Blabbermouth.

Ben Kenney

Ben Kenney, the former bassist for the popular rock group Incubus, is one tough dude.

And we know that because the 47-year-old recently made his return to the stage three years after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Kenny had surgery to remove the tumor, but Guitar World reported that he was faced with multiple complications.

The site reported that Kenney was rendered permanently deaf in one ear and also has partial facial paralysis. And Guitar World said, Kenney was also hit by the death of his father as he tried to recover.

He was replaced in Incubus by Nicole Row.

He revealed in an Instagram post what brought him back to the stage.

“Last year, some friends helped me get back on my feet,” he wrote. “I hadn’t been on stage in a few years and I was scared about performing after losing my hearing. I had gone to see Micky Dolenz play a bunch of times and each time his bassist (John Billings) would say to me ‘You gotta come play with us.’ I finally got up the nerve and said yes.”

Kenney said their first jam session featured the song “Come Together” by The Beatles.

“Just a few days later, I was onstage with Micky and his band playing live for the first time in years,” he wrote. “I still can’t believe it. I’m so grateful to Micky, John and the whole band for giving me a huge win when I needed one.”

Fans responded with love.

“Wow!” one person wrote. “How inspiring! Your hearing? You’re so gifted. This is so amazing. Glad to see you back and operating in your gift!”

“You are one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever seen,” another wrote. “Instrumentally, vocally, your approach, your taste, your style, your dynamics. You belong on stage! Huge win!”

There were plenty more comments like them and you can see them and Kenney’s post here.

Guitar World reported that Kenney is also making new music and recently released a new single, “Fire.”

Lou Koller

Lou Koller, the frontman for the popular punk rock group Sick of It All, took to social media this past week with a major update in his battle against cancer.

“Last day of chemo,” Koller said smiling on a video he shared to the band’s Instagram page. “Last day of chemo. Thanks for all of your support. I’m doing pretty good. Going to deal with this stuff, be sick for a about a week and a half and then start the healing.

“Just got to get my voice and body back in shape,” he added. “Thanks everybody see ya.’

He also wrote a bit next to the video, noting that his fingers and feet are numb and he didn’t know when that would go away.

“It’s different for everyone,” he added. “Same for the tastebuds. Don’t know when I’ll be able to taste food normally again. Right now I kind of taste what I’m eating but it’s over powered by a chemical/metallic taste. But it will be just a memory soon.”

Koller announced last June that he had cancer.

“What’s up everybody?” Koller said in a video posted to the band’s Instagram page back then. “Lou here. As you may or may not know, we had to cancel our full European tour this summer. There’s some rumors going around as to why, and we are here to set the record straight, but we wanted to wait until we got all the information before making an announcement.”

That is when he got right to what he is dealing with.

“The reason that it is cancelled is because they found a tumor in my esophagus that goes into my stomach, and I’ll have to be getting treatment all summer,” he said. “Of course, I had full support of the band. As soon as they heard it, they were like forget the tour. Just get healthy.”

Raul Malo

Raul Malo is one tough dude, and all you have to do is go check out The Mavericks — his band — on Instagram to quickly figure that out.

The 59-year-old star has been openly fighting cancer, providing his fans with updates every step of the way, since last summer. And that battle took a concerning turn in February when he was hospitalized. He returned a week later to explain that was, mostly, due to a hernia that he suffered.

Amazingly, too, while he has been fighting the disease, including surgery to remove a tumor from his liver back on Dec. 10, Malo and The Mavericks have, for the most part, been back on the road performing.

He shared more good news heading into the weekend.

“Received some great news this week and I wanted to share,” he wrote on the band’s Instagram. “My doctors are thrilled with my progress so far, hernia and all. All my scans so far have come back clear including the PET scan from last week. All my vital signs are excellent as well. We’ll know the next steps in the next week or so. Doctors will review all the scans and data and they’ll determine the next steps.

“Chances are they will go something like this … at least one more round of chemo bringing the total number to twelve,” he continued. “Then take a break (from chemo for at least four weeks) schedule the colon and hernia surgery. Then a few more scans more than likely they’ll schedule a couple more rounds of chemo to ensure that nothing comes back. Needless to say we’re really encouraged by the findings this week.”

It is about as good of news as anyone in the fight can report at this stage in the game.

“Great day and plenty to be thankful for,” he added. “We’re not out of the woods yet but we are certainly headed in the right direction. Thank you all for your kind wishes and messages of encouragement throughout this process. The love has most certainly been felt. As always we encourage everyone to be proactive in their own healthcare. Don’t wait to schedule a checkup. Start there. That’s where it started for me. My only regret is not going sooner. So don’t wait! And to all those that are going through their own journey … you’re not alone. You have plenty of company. WE GOT THIS!”

Malo updated fans back on Feb. 28 about the issues that put him in the hospital.

“Hey everyone … here’s a quick health update,” Malo wrote on the band’s Instagram alongside a carousel of photos. “Writing this as I wait to have a PET scan. Last week was kind of rough as I’ve developed a hernia in my abdomen. As you can imagine it is very painful and I was sent to the emergency room by my doctor.”

Malo said his doctor ordered a scan right away.

“Anyways, as each day goes by I feel a little better and that’s (a) good sign,” he continued. “I imagine that I’ll have some better days than others. Doctor has signed off on me getting back to work. I am really happy about that. Of course there are conditions … “wear the brace around your waist, don’t lift anything heavy, and make sure you rest, rest, rest.”

Malo first announced in January that he had surgery on Dec. 10 to remove a tumor from his liver. He said back then he was taking time off to recover. The band only recently returned to touring in February.

“These shows will be a good barometer for me to be able to gauge my stamina,” Malo said of the dates earlier this month. “Our sets run approximately an hour with this lineup. The only shows moved so far this year (aside from the cruise) are our recent headlining shows. They conflicted with my chemo schedule (and we need to adhere to that obviously).”

Malo said then he was currently on the (second) round “of the next five or six rounds.”

“Doctor will make that determination as we get closer,” he said. “The goal is to make sure there’s no cancer left. The team is reasonably confident that after the colon surgery we should be done if the scans and tests agree. I think it’s fair to say that this is a fluid situation to a certain degree. We will keep you updated regularly. And if there are any disruptions to the touring schedule we will inform you as soon as possible. Anyways, thank you all for your kind words of encouragement and for your understanding of the situation.”

Malo also addressed fans earlier this year in a video shared to the band’s Instagram when he discussed his surgery.

“I wanted to catch you up on my health as we go through this journey,” Malo said in the video. “Some of you know that I had liver surgery on December 10th. They successfully removed a tumor from the liver, and we are going into the fourth week of recovery, and they said 4-to-6 weeks recovery which would of course take me into the timing of the cruise and so we just want to give you fair warning that we will not be on the cruise and we are really sorry about that. We love starting off the year with the cruise and some place warm and tropical and believe we could all use that.

“I’m feeling strong,” he continued. “And even though I’m in a little bit of discomfort, like it’s really hard to hold a guitar up to my body, and I don’t know if I can sing because there’s one thing where you can recover, but you also have to be in performing shape, and I’m nowhere near that, at least not a performance worth writing about or talking about.” Malo announced his diagnosis in late June in an Instagram video.

“In the last couple of years, we out here on the road, we have been on a health kick,” he said. “Treating ourselves a little better. Taking care out ourselves a little better, and really trying to do all the right things as far as nutrition, etc. So, part of the health journey is to get yourself checked out. Go to a doctor, take a physical and start there.”

Malo said that is what he did.

“And that led to another appointment with a gastrointestinal specialist, which led to a CAT scan,” he said. “And that proved to show two cancerous spots.”

Roger O’Donnell

The Cure’s Roger O’Donnell announced on X last September that he was batting that he was battling a rare and aggressive lymphoma.

He was then attacked by anti-vaxxers on the platform who claimed his vaccination status led to his health issue. He subsequently deleted his announcement and left the platform.

“September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month so it’s a good opportunity to have a dialogue about these diseases,” he wrote on X before he left. “In September last year I was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of lymphoma. I had ignored the symptoms for a few months but finally went and after surgery the result of the biopsy was devastating.”

O’Donnell said he had“now completed 11 months of treatment under some of the finest specialists in the world.” He also praised his treatment options included “the latest sci fi immunotherapy and some drugs that were first used 100 years ago.”

“The last phase of treatment was radiotherapy which was also one of the first treatments developed against cancer,” he added. “I’m fine and the prognosis is amazing.”

“The mad axe murderer knocked on the door and we didn’t answer,” O’Donnell closed. “Cancer CAN be beaten but if you are diagnosed early enough you stand a way better chance, so all I have to say is go GET TESTED, if you have the faintest thought, you may have symptoms go and get checked out.”

Ronnie Platt

Fans of the legendary rock band Kansas and its frontman Ronnie Platt have reason to celebrate because the band is now poised to prepare for the road once more.

And that is because Platt announced last week that he had successful surgery as he battles thyroid cancer.

“I am home!” Platt posted on Facebook. “The Doctor said my surgery couldn’t have gone any better!!! I felt the power of everyone’s prayers and positive energy! You all have helped me thru this, how do I? or can I? ever thank all of you for that!!!!????

“Day 1 of recovery here I am!!!” he continued. “I am looking forward to getting back to what I do best! Yes, Singing, but my true job is entertaining you all and helping you at least for a couple hours forget about your problems and recharge your batteries. I take a lot of pride in that!!!!! Thank you all again, CARRY ON!!!!”

The band cancelled a handful of shows last month as Platt geared up for the surgery, and it is now set to return to the road, provided he is fully recovered, on April 4.

Platt first announced he was headed for surgery back in February.

“I met with my doctor today and found out I have surgery scheduled for March 4,” he wrote in a statement shared to the band’s Facebook page. “So far, the prognosis has been very good. I’m looking forward to getting this behind me and being back in the saddle as soon as possible. I appreciate the outpouring of support I’ve been receiving.

“Thank you.”

The 64-year-old first announced his diagnosis earlier in February.

“For all of you asking,” Tuesday (Feb. 11) I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer but before everyone gets all excited, it has a 99% survival rate, it has not spread,” he reportedly wrote. “It’s contained to my thyroid. I just have to have my thyroid removed. Go through some rehab time and be right back in the saddle.”

That’s about as good of news you can get with cancer. Still, Platt joins a growing list of musicians currently battling the diseases.

Platt asked fans for “positive thoughts and prayers.”

“As it has been put to me, this is just a bump in the road and will be behind me very soon!” he wrote. “So everyone please CARRY ON!”

Platt replaced Steve Walsh in 2014 as the lead singer for Kansas.

The band celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023.

Bobby Sherman

Former teen idol singer and actor Bobby Sherman has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, according to his wife.

She shared the news on Facebook on Tuesday.

“To all of Bobby Sherman’s cherished fans,” Brigitte Poublon wrote. “As many of you know, Bobby has been retired for some time and is no longer able to participate in cameos, sign autographs, or make appearances. It is with a heavy heart that we share Bobby has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

During this challenging time, we kindly ask for your understanding and respect for our privacy,” she added. “Thank you so much for still remembering him. We really appreciate it.”

Sherman, 81, became a teen idol in the 1960s and early 1970s, according to PEOPLE.

The site said that Sherman found a mentor in Sal Mineo who helped him get a recording contract and a spot on the music show, ‘Shindig!’ in 1965. PEOPLE noted that four years later, Sherman landed a role on the Western series “Here Comes the Brides.”

Sherman had several big hits as a singer, including “Little Woman,” which went all the way to third on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold more than a million copies.

Andy Taylor

Andy Taylor, the guitarist for the legendary rock group Duran Duran, has been battling stage 4 prostate cancer since 2018.

He has previously said that the disease is incurable at its stage.

Duran Duran member Simon Le Bon spoke at a music festival press conference in Italy in February and said that Taylor is fighting “as hard as he can.”

“I am sure he would love to be here,” he said. “He’s fighting as hard as he can, and we are with him in that fight.”

Taylor said in a 2023 interview that he was taking a drug that “only sees cancer cells” and kills “stage-four cancer in your bones.”

“So what it’s effectively done is extend my life for five years,” he said.