Mike Ness of Social Distortion.
Mike Ness, the lead singer and guitarist for iconic Orange County punk band Social Distortion, revealed Wednesday that he has tonsil cancer.
Ness, 61, shared the diagnosison Instagram, where he said that his surgery and recovery will require Social Distortion to postpone their summer tour, as well as their anticipated eighth album.
“We think that life is going to go according to our plan, but it has a way of saying “I don’t think so!” Ness wrote.
“In the midst of pre-production, I was diagnosed with stage one tonsil cancer. I was feeling well enough to continue with recording in the studio up until the very day before surgery. The band and I were so inspired and excited to lay down these tracks.”
Although Social Distortion’s upcoming album is their first studio album since 2011’sHard Times and Nursery Rhymes, the band is a mainstay on the road. Ness noted his disappointment in postponing the band’s upcoming tour with fellow California punk rockers The Bellrays.
“It breaks my heart to postpone the Summer Tour, and this album release, but time is required to heal,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.”
Mike Ness of Social Distortion.Tim Mosenfelder/Getty
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty
He concluded, “We WILL get through this….”
Social Distortion formed in the late ‘70s in Fullerton, California, a punk epicenter that was also the hometown ofGwen Stefani, whose then-unknown band No Doubt often played in town. While the band remained largely under the pop culture radar, their best-known song, 1990’s “Story of My Life,” was memorably included in several movies, includingReality BitesandThe Break-Up,
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source: people.com
