Matthew Sweet cancels tour due to stroke

Alternative rock singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet, best known for his ’90s hits “Girlfriend” and “I’ve Been Waiting,” is recovering from a stroke he suffered on October 12 while on tour in Toronto.

Sweat’s longtime agent, Russell Carter, confirmed the news in a statement on Tuesday (October 22).

Sweet was immediately taken to Toronto Western Hospital for emergency care, according to Carter. Although his condition stabilized, he has since been transferred to a rehabilitation center in Omaha for extensive treatment.

Carter described Sweet’s situation as “a long and difficult road to recovery,” adding that the artist will require weeks of around-the-clock care, followed by months of rehab.

“Matthew remains highly focused and tenacious in all of his endeavors, not just in his recording career but in all of his artistic and intellectual pursuits,” Carter shared.

“I believe his trademark determination will serve him well as he now focuses on getting back to fitness.”

Due to the stroke, Sweet was forced to cancel his cross-country tour, including his headlining gigs and support for Henson.

On October 10, Sweet’s team announced via Instagram that he was canceling his performance due to health reasons, but the details were not disclosed until this week. “Like most professional musicians, Matthew’s primary source of income is from live touring, and he will not be able to perform for the foreseeable future,” Carter explained.

To help pay for Sweet’s rising medical bills, his family and management team have launched a GoFundMe campaign. The campaign points out that while Sweet received life-saving care in Toronto, health care is not free for Americans in Canada, and Sweet lacked both insurance and traveling income during this time.

“We have started a GoFundMe campaign so family, friends and Matthew’s amazing network of fans can donate to help pay for his medical expenses,” Carter said.

The fundraiser aims to raise $250,000 to pay for Sweet’s care, and more than 2,000 supporters have donated more than $115,000.

The GoFundMe campaign was organized by Catherine Lyons of Russell Carter Artist Management, who reiterated the seriousness of Sweet’s condition and noted that the musician’s recovery will be a lengthy process that will require multiple stages of care.

Sweet emerged from the Athens, Georgia music scene in the 1980s and became a figure in the power pop renaissance of the ’90s with the album’s release girlfriend In 1991, the album’s title track and single “I’ve Been Waiting” became a fan favorite.

Read Russell Carter’s full statement below:

Last week, Matthew Sweet suffered a stroke late on Saturday night (October 12) in Toronto and was forced to cancel an extensive cross-country tour that included both headlining and supporting old friend Hansen (Hanson) Opening Act.

Matthew was quickly rushed to Toronto Western Hospital, where he received excellent care and was out of immediate danger. Matthew was transferred today to a rehabilitation center in his hometown of Omaha, where he will receive extensive treatment.

He is now on a long and arduous road to recovery. All of us who knew and loved Matthew wish him a speedy recovery. Matthew remained highly focused and tenacious in all of his endeavors—not just in his recording career, but in all of his artistic and intellectual pursuits.

I believe his trademark determination will serve him well as he now focuses on getting healthy.

Matthew’s medical bills in Canada and Omaha were exorbitant, and his primary source of income – like most professional musicians – was live touring. He won’t be able to perform for the foreseeable future. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched so that family, friends and Matthew’s network of fans can donate to help pay for his medical expenses.

Please donate if you can, and please repost the link to the GoFindMe fundraiser wherever possible.