Some bad news has surfaced today from the camp of punk pioneers X. Founder and co-vocalist Exene Cervenka has revealed that she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the body's central nervous system and can lead to physical disability.
The 53-year-old made the announcement this morning via the L.A. band's website. Her statement reads:
After some months of not feeling 100 percent healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from multiple sclerosis. Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time. Although this is obviously unfortunate news, I am choosing to see the positive in it. I, and X as a band, have supported the Sweet Relief charity since the mid-'90s; the irony of this is not lost on any of us. Sweet Relief was started as an aide to uninsured artists by musician Victoria Williams when she herself was diagnosed with MS in 1992.
While this diagnosis will most certainly mean some changes for me, personally, it will not affect my commitments to the current X U.S. tour, nor will it affect my solo album that's slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records. My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health - many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people.
Cervenka signs off by encouraging fans to check out Sweet Relief, whose website is here.
X are currently midway through a U.S. tour, and a list of all the remaining dates is here.
The 53-year-old made the announcement this morning via the L.A. band's website. Her statement reads:
After some months of not feeling 100 percent healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from multiple sclerosis. Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time. Although this is obviously unfortunate news, I am choosing to see the positive in it. I, and X as a band, have supported the Sweet Relief charity since the mid-'90s; the irony of this is not lost on any of us. Sweet Relief was started as an aide to uninsured artists by musician Victoria Williams when she herself was diagnosed with MS in 1992.
While this diagnosis will most certainly mean some changes for me, personally, it will not affect my commitments to the current X U.S. tour, nor will it affect my solo album that's slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records. My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health - many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people.
Cervenka signs off by encouraging fans to check out Sweet Relief, whose website is here.
X are currently midway through a U.S. tour, and a list of all the remaining dates is here.