The Cure‘s former drummer Andy Anderson has revealed that he is battling terminal cancer.
- READ MORE: The Cure: their 10 best songs
The sticksman [pictured top left] joined the band from 1983 to 1984 after drummer Lol Tolhurst switched to keyboard duties, and was involved in their fifth studio album ‘The Top’. He also participated in the singles album ‘Japanese Whispers’, singles ‘Love Cats’ and ‘The Caterpillar’, and made an appearance on their live album ‘Concert: The Cure Live’.
Anderson first worked with Robert Smith in 1983 on The Cure frontman’s side project with Siouxsie and the Banshees’ Steven Severin called The Glove, playing drums on that group’s solitary album, ‘Blue Sunshine’.
Anderson took to Facebook to reveal his diagnosis. “Hi guys, I am and have Terminal 4 Cancer, and there is no way of returning back from that, it’s totally covering the inside of my body, and I’m totally fine and aware of my situation,” he wrote adding that he will now be undergoing treatment for the illness.
Hi guy’s, I am and I have Terminal 4 Cancer, and their is no way of returning back from that, it’s totally covering the…
Posted by Andy Anderson on Sunday, February 17, 2019
He went on to say: “No Boohooing, here, just be positive, for me it’s just another life experience and hurdle, that one has to make yet another choice in life, be cool, I most definitely am and positive about the situation.”
Former drummer and keyboardist Tolhurst also offered his support to his former bandmate writing: “Andy’s Dad was a boxer, now Andy is in the fight of his life. I’ve talked to him, he’s as upbeat and calm as anyone I’ve ever talked to facing what he’s facing. Send light, send love, send whatever you believe will help my friend in the battle royal he now faces. Love you Mr A.”
Andy’s Dad was a boxer, now Andy is in the fight of his life. I’ve talked to him, he’s as upbeat and calm as anyone I’ve ever talked to facing what he’s facing. Send light,send love, send whatever you believe will help my friend in the battle royal he now faces. Love you Mr A.
— Lol Tolhurst (@LolTolhurst) February 19, 2019
After being dismissed from The Cure and replaced by Boris Williams, Anderson went on to play with a wide range of artists, including Iggy Pop.
Meanwhile, The Cure recently announced four live shows at the Sydney Opera House in May to mark the 30th anniversary of their classic album, ‘Disintegration’.
The band will play the 1989 album in full for the 30th anniversary at the iconic Australian arts venue, teasing that this will be the “world premiere of these performances” and suggested that more will follow.
The band are also rumoured to be headliners at Glastonbury 2019, while other acts tipped to play the Worthy Farm festival include The Killers, Lana Del Rey, Interpol and many more.