After battling back after being diagnosed with stomach cancer in October 2016, R&B singer and soul legend Charles Bradley had hoped to resume touring this summer and fall. Feeling optimistic after completing his treatment in just over six months, Bradley was set to begin a worldwide tour that would have taken the musician from U.S. dates in New York and Chicago to shows in the U.K., Germany and Portugal. Sadly, this has all been cancelled after the cancer spread to his liver.
The statement posted on his Facebook page said: "As you may have known, Charles was diagnosed with stomach cancer last fall and, after undergoing treatment and beating it, he returned to the road this past spring. He began to feel run down during recent tour dates and learned that his cancer spread to his liver, though hasn’t returned to his stomach. He will be taking time off to focus on treatment and recovery."
Despite his successful career, Bradley is no stranger to adversity. He grew up under challenging circumstances after being abandoned by his mother at only eight months old. At age 17, he ran away from home, and began living on the streets and bunking in subway cars. It wasn’t until a coworker remarked on his passing resemblance to his idol James Brown, that Bradley was inspired to take to the stage and begin performing.
Bradley began his recording career in 2011 and has released three albums to date: No Time for Dreaming, Victim of Love and Changes. Critics have hailed his music, and his live performances in general, as evoking the spirit of authentic soul, circa the ‘60s and ‘70s. Though the cancellation is no doubt disheartening for fans, Bradley appears to be in good spirits. He released an upbeat statement to reassure his fans:
“I love all of you out there that made my dreams come true. When I come back, I’ll come back strong, with God’s love. With God’s will, I’ll be back soon.”
Gigwise caught Charles Bradley live in Montreal with his band the Extraordinaires this summer. His show was one of the most emotional and exciting shows we've ever seen and this cancellation is a huge blow and we wish a speedy recovery for this beautiful man.
