X Guitarist Billy Zoom Has Been Diagnosed With Bladder Cancer

Legendary punk guitarist Billy Zoom, of the band X, announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

In early 2010, Zoom had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and was successfully treated as the disease was caught in an early stage. After undergoing a radical prostatectomy, he was given the ‘all clear,’ according to a press release.

This time, the cancer was found in his bladder. So, next week, the 67-year old musician begins chemotherapy treatments. But, before his treatments begin, he will play a series of shows with X.

X and Zoom still are committed to this weekend’s 4-album play shows at Orange County’s The Observatory. At the Orange County shows, Zoom and the X will play songs from the iconic band’s first four albums. And, according to a press release, The Blasters and Mike Watt will be joining X onstage.

As a show of support for Zoom and his family, the band will go ahead with their previously announced mid-west and east coast dates in July and August. In short order, X will be announcing who will be filling in on guitar, during the tour.

Lastly, the band members and X’s manager Mike Rouse have created an online funding campaign – using the platform GoFundMe – to help Zoom and his family with upcoming costs associated with his cancer treatments and other medical needs. At the time of this article’s publication, the online campaign had raised $41,040 of their $50,000 goal in just one day.

The members of X issued the following statement to fans about their band mate and friend. It read:

“In the music community, we all take turns helping each other.
Punk rock and benefits: 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 we know. We would do anything to help him get better, help take care of his family, and lessen his woes.

Please keep Billy in your prayers and send some positive energy his way!
Donating a few bucks will take away some of his financial stress and worry.
And it’s the punk rock thing to do.

Exene, John, DJ, and Mike”

Click here to visit the GoFundMe page set up to help Zoom “Kick Cancers Butt,” and from there you can share the link on Facebook and other social media networks.