Alt-rock singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet, known for his '90s hits “Girlfriend” and “I've Been Waiting,” is recovering from a debilitating stroke that occurred while on tour in Toronto on 12 October.
Sweet's longtime manager Russell Carter confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday (October 22).
According to Carter, Sweet was immediately admitted to Toronto Western Hospital where he received emergency care. Although his condition stabilized, he has since been transferred to a rehabilitation center in Omaha to undergo extensive treatment.
Carter described Sweet's condition as “a long, hard road to recovery,” adding that the artist will need weeks of round-the-clock care followed by months of rehabilitation.
“Matthew has always been intensely focused and tenacious in all of his endeavors, not only in his recording career, but in all of his artistic and intellectual pursuits,” said Carter.
“I'm sure his determination will serve him well as he now focuses on recovering to good health.”
Due to the stroke, Sweet was forced to cancel his cross-country tour, including his headline dates and supporting slots for Hanson.
On October 10, Sweet's team had already announced the cancellation of his Instagram shows due to a medical illness, but the full extent of the situation was only revealed this week. “Matthew's main source of income – like most professional musicians – is live touring and he is unable to perform in the foreseeable future,” explained Carter.
To help cover Sweet's mounting medical expenses, his family and management team created a GoFundMe campaign. The campaign notes that while Sweet received life-saving care in Toronto, healthcare for Americans in Canada is not free, and Sweet has been deprived of both insurance and touring income during this time.
“We have set up a GoFundMe campaign so Matthew's family, friends and amazing network of fans can help pay for his medical expenses,” Carter said.
The fundraiser aims to raise $250,000 to cover the cost of Sweet's care, with donations already topping $115,000 from more than 2,000 supporters.
The GoFundMe campaign was organized by Catherine Lyons of Russell Carter Artist Management, who reiterated the seriousness of Sweet's condition, noting that the musician's recovery will be a long process, requiring multiple stages of care.
Read Russell Carter's statement in detail below:
Last week, Matthew Sweet was forced to cancel an extensive tour between the two headliners as well as opening for longtime friend Hanson after suffering a debilitating stroke in Toronto late Saturday night (October 12).
Matthew was rushed to Toronto Western Hospital where he received excellent care and was removed from immediate danger. Matthew was transferred to a rehabilitation center in Omaha today, where he will undergo extensive treatment.
Now he is on a long, hard road to recovery. All of us who know and love Matthew have hope for a speedy recovery. Matthew has always been intensely focused and persistent in all of his endeavors – not just in his recording career, but in all of his artistic and spiritual pursuits.
I'm sure his determination will serve him well as he now focuses on recovering to good health.
Matthew's medical expenses in Canada and Omaha are exorbitant, and his main source of income – like most professional musicians – is live touring. He can't play for the foreseeable future. We have set up a GoFundMe campaign so Matthew's family, friends and amazing network of fans can help pay for his medical expenses.
Please contribute if you can and repost the link to the GoFindMe fundraiser wherever you can.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/matthew-sweet-suffers-stroke-1235808540/