Social Distortion's Mike Ness reveals stage one tonsil cancer diagnosis: 'We expect a full recovery'
Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness revealed he just underwent surgery after being diagnosed with stage one tonsil cancer.
‘The recovery from surgery is a day-by-day process and in three weeks we start radiation and that should be the last therapy I need,’ the 61-year-old singer-guitarist – who boasts 526K social media followers – wrote on Wednesday.
‘The team of doctors are certain that once finished with this course, I will be able to start the healing and recovery process. We expect a full recovery enabling me to live a long and productive life.’
Ness added: ‘I want you all to know that this has opened my eyes to a whole new struggle. I know it’s one that many of you or your loved ones have personally endured, and my heart goes out to you-because I now know what it’s like from this heavy experience.’
Stage one of tonsil cancer reportedly means Mike’s tumor was 20mm or smaller and had no spread outside the oropharynx (which includes the base of tongue, tonsils, and soft palate).
Get better soon! Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness revealed he just underwent surgery after being diagnosed with stage one tonsil cancer
Tonsil cancer – also known as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma – is normally caused by heavy alcohol use, smoking/chewing tobacco, and/or oral contact with someone infected with human papillomaviruses (HPV).
Luckily, the Massachusetts-born musician is ‘surrounded by love and support from my friends and family and pets’ including his ‘lovely wife’ Christine Marie Hamari and ‘incredible’ sons Julian and Johnny.
Mike said it ‘breaks my heart’ to have to postpone the Orange County hardcore band’s 27-date summer tour, which was originally scheduled to kick off June 30 in Oregon.
Ness said he ‘was feeling well enough to continue with recording’ Social Distortion’s eighth studio album, which has been in the works for over a decade, throughout the last month up until the day before his surgery.
‘The band and I were so inspired and excited to lay down these tracks, which by the way sound f***ing awesome!’ the Ball and Chain rocker gushed.
‘It breaks my heart to postpone the Summer Tour, and this album release, but time is required to heal. I can’t thank our loyal fans enough who have been waiting so patiently for this.
‘While it will take a little longer – I promise you that it will be delivered and it will exceed your expectations…Thank you in advance to our unbelievable fans for your love and support right now. We will get through this.’
The untitled record – due out in early 2024 – will be the punk band’s first since dropping Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes in 2011.
The 61-year-old singer-guitarist wrote on Wednesday: ‘The recovery from surgery is a day-by-day process and in three weeks we start radiation and that should be the last therapy I need’
Ness (pictured April 16) added: ‘The team of doctors are certain that once finished with this course, I will be able to start the healing and recovery process. We expect a full recovery enabling me to live a long and productive life’
‘This has opened my eyes to a whole new struggle’: Luckily, the Massachusetts-born musician is ‘surrounded by love and support from my friends and family and pets’ including his ‘lovely wife’ Christine Marie Hamari (M, pictured January 11) and ‘incredible’ sons Julian (L) and Johnny
‘Time is required to heal’: Mike said it ‘breaks my heart’ to have to postpone the Orange County hardcore band’s 27-date summer tour, which was originally scheduled to kick off June 30 in Oregon
‘It sounds f***ing awesome!’ Ness said he ‘was feeling well enough to continue with recording’ Social Distortion’s eighth studio album, which has been in the works for over a decade, throughout the last month up until the day before his surgery (pictured April 7)
‘Sending you my love!’ The Ball and Chain rocker’s Instagram post received well wishes from punk bands Bad Religion and Booze & Glory as well as Mark McGrath, Dita Von Teese, Brad Wilk, Sammy Amara, Branden Steineckert, and Jason White
Still rocking! Since their formation in 1978, Social Distortion have sold over 3M albums worldwide and the current lineup includes rhythm guitarist Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham, bassist Brent Harding, drummer David Hidalgo Jr., and touring keyboard player David Kalish (pictured in 2022)
Mike’s Instagram post received well wishes from punk bands Bad Religion and Booze & Glory as well as Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath, burlesque queen Dita Von Teese, Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk, Broilers frontman Sammy Amara, Rancid drummer Branden Steineckert, and Greenday touring guitarist Jason White.
Since their formation in 1978, Social Distortion have sold over 3M albums worldwide and the current lineup includes rhythm guitarist Jonny “2 Bags” Wickersham, bassist Brent Harding, drummer David Hidalgo Jr., and touring keyboard player David Kalish.
The band is best known for their 1990 track Story of My Life – which was prominently featured in films like Reality Bites (1994), Life or Something Like It (2002), Orange County (2002), and The Break-Up (2006).
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