X guitarist Billy Zoom diagnosed with bladder cancer

IMMEDIATE TREATMENT TO BEGIN – ZOOM WILL STILL PERFORM AT ORANGE COUNTY ALBUM PLAY SHOWS THIS WEEKEND

REPLACEMENT TO BE NAMED FOR JULY-AUGUST DATES SO X CAN CONTINUE WITH THE TOUR IN SUPPORT OF ZOOM

Billy_ZoomLegendary guitarist, punk legend, and all-around nice guy, Billy Zoom, has been diagnosed with cancer. Today Zoom was given the news that he has an aggressive form of bladder cancer and immediate treatment is necessary to fight the disease. The 67-year-old musician/producer/electronics wiz will begin chemo treatment next week.

In early 2010, Zoom revealed that he had been successfully treated for prostate cancer. After undergoing a radical prostatectomy, the cancer was caught in its early stages and he was given the ‘all clear’. It is very likely that for a short while after this treatment, he experienced erectile dysfunction, which medication like sildenafil can help with, provided that it has been prescribed by reputable pharmacies. Of course, this may have been the last thing on his mind, as it is very likely that he was just happy to be cancer-free.

Since then, he has tried to motivate as many men as possible to look after their prostate health. It’s not a topic that many men want to discuss but it’s an important one. The more people that get their prostate checked, look into unify health reviews, change their diet, and live an overall healthier lifestyle, the better their chances of preventing issues with their prostate. Billy is in talks with numerous cancer charities to help raise awareness for his cause.

BIlly Zoom 1X and Zoom are committed to this weekend’s 4-album play shows at Orange County’s The Observatory where Billy will join his longtime bandmates on stage to play songs from his iconic bands first four albums. Joining X for these shows will be The Blasters and Mike Watt.

X will continue with their previously announced July and August mid-west and east coast tour dates as planned in support of Billy and his family. A replacement for Zoom will be announced shortly.

X and manager, Mike Rouse, have begun a fund to help Zoom with his upcoming medical costs.

Statement from X:

“In the music community, we all take turns helping each other.

Punk rock and benefits: you name the cause, and the bands and fans will be there.

Now it’s our turn to help Billy Zoom, the wittiest, smartest, nicest, best guitar player & friend we know. We would do anything to help him get better, help take care of his family, and lessen his woes.

Please keep Billy in your prayers and send some positive energy his way!

Donating a few bucks will take away some of his financial stress and worry.

And it’s the punk rock thing to do.”
Please donate to Support Billy Zoom’s Kick Cancer Fight by visiting:

http://www.gofundme.com/yx66a4

WEBSITE

UPDATE

(Los Angeles – July 10, 2015) It was announced yesterday, Billy Zoom – the legendary guitarist for the seminal punk band X will not be joining his bandmates on their July and August dates as he seeks immediate medical treatment for bladder cancer.
Texas guitar player, Jesse Dayton (Waylon Jennings, Supersuckers) will be sitting in for the iconic guitarist temporarily.
Dates beginning on July 17th in Ridgefield, CT and continuing through August 3 in NY at City Winery will feature Dayton stepping in for Billy. Remaining festival dates in August and September are yet to be determined.
As was previously announced, X, the long-time leaders of the L.A. Punk Scene, will perform at the KCRW “Sound in Focus” Annenberg Live Series on August 8th with Dwight Yoakam. The concert is free for all ages; those interested in attending need to RSVP at KCRW.com. X have also been confirmed to perform at this year’s Hopscotch festival on September 12th in Raleigh, NC as well as September 19th at the Kaaboo Festival held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, CA.
Beginning yesterday and continuing through the weekend, X bring their 4-Album Show plays to The Observatory in Orange County with Billy in his original position, Cheshire grin and all.
Formed in 1977, X quickly established themselves as one of the best bands in LA’s flourishing first wave punk scene. Featuring vocalist Exene Cervenka, vocalist/bassist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom, and drummer DJ Bonebrake, their debut 45 was released on the seminal Dangerhouse label in 1978. While these songs were later re-recorded for their second album, the versions on Adult Books / We’re Desperate reveal X’s raw talent for totally sincere songwriting and stripped-down rock n’ roll. This past April, the band re-issued that first single, in its original 7-inch format, as limited edition colored vinyl.
The original line-up of X remains John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Billy Zoom, and D.J. Bonebrake. Jesse Dayton fills in for Billy Zoom from July 17 – August 3.
X Summer 2015 “How I Learned My Lesson Tour”
July 17 Ridgefield Playhouse Ridgefield, CT
July 18 Underground Arts Philadelphia, PA
July 19 The State Theatre Falls Church, VA
July 22 Music Box Supper Club Cleveland, OH
July 24 The Magic Bag Ferndale, MI
July 26 City Winery Chicago, IL
July 27 City Winery Chicago, IL
July 28 City Winery Chicago, IL
July 30 The Sinclair Cambridge, MA
Aug 1 City Winery New York City, NY
Aug 2 City Winery New York City, NY
Aug 3 City Winery New York City, NY
Aug 8 Annenberg Space for Photography Los Angeles, CA
(KCRW sponsored show)
Aug 28 Shank Hall Milwaukee, WI
Sep 12 Hopscotch Fest Raleigh, NC
Sep 19 KAABOO Fest Del Mar, CA
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