Beloved ’90s Rocker Faces Long Road to Recovery After Health Scare
Matthew Sweet, the famed musician known for his hits like “Sick of Myself” and “Girlfriend,” has been forced to pause his music career after suffering a severe stroke while on tour. The news has sent shockwaves through the music community, with fans, friends, and fellow artists rallying around him. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist with the mounting medical bills as Sweet embarks on a challenging journey toward recovery.
Tour Stopped by Sudden Stroke
On October 12, during a cross-country tour where he performed both headline dates and opened for longtime friends Hanson, Matthew Sweet was struck by a debilitating stroke in Toronto. Russell Carter, Sweet’s manager, confirmed the news in a public statement, sharing that Sweet was quickly admitted to Toronto Western Hospital. Thanks to swift medical intervention, the singer was stabilized, but his condition required specialized care.
“Matthew was quickly admitted to Toronto Western Hospital where he was put into excellent care and taken out of immediate danger,” Carter stated. Following his stay in Toronto, Sweet was flown to Omaha, where he is undergoing intensive therapy at a rehabilitation center. “He is now on a long, difficult road to recovery,” Carter added.
A Determined Spirit and Supportive Community
Sweet’s inner circle remains hopeful and confident in his determination to make a full recovery. Carter emphasized Sweet’s resilience, noting that he has always approached his career with focus and tenacity. “Matthew has always been intensely focused and tenacious in all of his endeavors,” Carter said. “I am confident that his signature determination will serve him well as he focuses now on recovery to good health.”
With touring as his primary source of income, Sweet faces a financial burden due to the unexpected medical costs. In response, Sweet’s team set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover these expenses. “His medical expenses in Canada and Omaha are exorbitant, and his primary source of income — like most professional musicians — is live touring,” Carter explained. As of this week, the campaign has garnered over $100,000 from 1,800 donors, including notable names such as Judd Apatow, Peter Buck, and Jon Cryer.
A Long Road Ahead
The estimated cost of weet’s medical care is expected to reach nearly $250,000. According to Catherine Lyons, an organizer of the GoFundMe effort, Sweet received life-saving treatment in Canada but now requires an extended stay at a specialized rehabilitation center in the U.S. “The doctors and hospital care in Toronto were instrumental in saving Matthew’s life,” Lyons wrote, but “he must now be flown back to the States on an ambulance transport plane with medical staff on board.” This transfer, along with months of recovery, will contribute to the hefty medical bill.
Sweet’s music has touched many lives over the years, with over a dozen albums to his name. His most recent release, Catspaw (2021), continues to showcase the artistry that fans have loved for decades. Now, as Sweet faces a daunting personal challenge, the support of his fans and fellow musicians will play a