’90s Rock Legend Jason Newsted Speaks Out on Cancer Diagnosis
’90s Rock Legend Jason Newsted Speaks Out on Cancer Diagnosis
Madz DizonSun, May 3, 2026 at 10:51 PM UTC
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Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has shared that he recently battled throat cancer and is now cancer-free after doctors caught the illness early.
The 63-year-old rock musician opened up about the health scare during an appearance on comedian and musician Dean Delray’s podcast, Let There Be Talk. Newsted said he decided to speak publicly about the diagnosis as he prepares to return to performing this summer with Jason Newsted & The Chophouse Band.
Newsted explained that he underwent surgery on May 8, 2025, after learning he had throat cancer.
“So, let’s see, in one week, it’s gonna be a year,” Newsted said. “May 8th of 2025, I underwent a procedure for throat cancer. And so they took a bunch of shit outta here and then they went in with lasers this way and took a bunch of shit out.”
Jason Newsted, former bassist of Metallica, performs on stage with the Chophouse Band during The Art of Rawk Private Unveiling.Jason Newsted, former bassist of Metallica, performs on stage with the Chophouse Band during The Art of Rawk Private Unveiling
He added, “So the cavern inside my head is different than it was, but we got it early. And I got my ‘free and clear’ about three weeks ago. So I beat it.”
The rocker also explained that his health battle was the reason he could not appear at Delray’s Bon Scott and AC/DC tribute event earlier this year.
“If I could have been there, I would’ve been there,” Newsted said.
During the interview, Newsted shared how the experience forced him to slow down and focus on recovery for the first time in his life.
“I promised myself I was going to rest, and that was the first time I’ve done that in my life,” he said. “I’m usually just on or off.”
The musician also admitted that the diagnosis pushed him to stop drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana during recovery.
“And there’s no way, with my arrogant, spoiled ass that I would’ve stopped smoking weed, that I would’ve stopped drinking, that I would’ve stopped doing all the things,” Newsted said.
He continued by saying the difficult moment helped him gain a clearer outlook on life.
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“But the great spirit got my attention and said, ‘That’s not good right now, man.’ And so it pulled me off it. And so now I’m more clear-headed than I’ve been in my entire adult life.”
Despite the painful experience, Newsted said he is trying to stay positive.
“And so there’s blessings within everything,” he said. “The lemonade I’m making this summer, bro — mm. Sweet. Ooh.”
Along with sharing his health update, Newsted confirmed he is preparing to hit the road again with his band this summer.
Jason Newsted & The Chophouse Band will launch an 18-date North American run beginning July 1 in Northampton, Massachusetts. The tour will include headlining concerts and several support dates with Blackberry Smoke.
The tour is scheduled to stop in cities including Albany, Alexandria, Charlotte, Nashville, Knoxville and Grand Rapids before ending with two shows at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on July 24 and July 25.
Newsted is best known for serving as bassist for Metallica from 1986 to 2001 after joining the band following the death of bassist Cliff Burton.
During his time with the legendary metal group, Newsted performed on major albums including ...And Justice for All, Metallica, Load, and Reload.
He later left the band in 2001 and continued working with several music projects, including Voivod, Echobrain, and his own group, Newsted.
In 2009, Newsted reunited with his former bandmates when Metallica was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Now, after quietly facing one of the toughest battles of his life, the veteran rocker says he is ready to return to music with a fresh outlook and a clean bill of health.
Related: Iconic ’70s Rock Band Announces Exciting News After Funding Issues
This story was originally published by Parade on May 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
