The Cure’s Roger O’Donnell shares cancer diagnosis
The Cure keyboardist Roger O’Donnell has revealed that he was diagnosed with blood cancer in 2023, which led to him departing his band’s tour.
In 2023, O’Donnell revealed he was set to miss the group’s shows in Latin America due to health reasons. However, the musician has taken until now, September 1st, 2024, to reveal the reason behind his departure from the run of shows, which coincides with the beginning of Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
O’Donnell first joined The Cure in 1987 when he was enlisted to play keyboards on the Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me tour. Despite not appearing on the album, he notably featured in the music video for ‘Just Like Heaven’ before becoming a fully integrated band member ahead of their 1989 follow-up, Disintegration.
Although he’s left the band on two occasions since first joining The Cure, O’Donnell has been a beloved fixture in the group since his last return in 2011, and was a much missed presence on their tour of South America.
Thankfully, O’Donnell has recovered from the cancer, telling fans, “Im fine and the prognosis is amazing, the mad axe murderer knocked on the door and we didnt answer.”
The musician continued: “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.”
O’Donnell also stressed to his Instagram followers that cancer affects people from all different walks of life, adding, “Lastly if you know someone who is ill or suffering talk to them, every single word helps, believe me I know. I would also like to thank my Drs, rockstars everyone of them, all the nurses and technicians, my friends, family and my partner Mimi, sometimes its harder to be on the other side of this…..”
Although O’Donnell missed the Latin American leg of The Cure’s 2023 tour, he did play the European dates, which was recorded for the new live album, The Cure – Novembre: Live in France 2022, set for release on October 1st.
The new collection is set to be released on environmentally-friendly vinyl as part of a collaboration with the Naked Record Club. Additionally, all profit from The Cure – Novembre: Live in France 2022 will go to the environmental charity EarthPercent, founded by Brian Eno.
The upcoming project contains recording of the new tracks, ‘And Nothing Is Forever’ and ‘I Can Never Say Goodbye’, which marks The Cure’s first new material release in 16 years.
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