90s rocker Matthew Sweet, 60, suffers huge ‘debilitating’ stroke while on tour
’90s alt-rocker Matthew Sweet has suffered a ‘debilitating’ stroke while on tour in Toronto, Canada.
The 60-year-old musician, best known for the hits Girlfriend and I’ve Been Waiting, now needs weeks of rehabilitation to recover from the health problems.
Sweet, who also appeared on the soundtrack of the 1996 cult film The Craft, requires costly medical care, including being flown back to the US from Canada.
To help with his recovery costs, his management company has a GoFundMe asking fans to donate.
’90s rocker Matthew Sweet suffers a massive ‘debilitating’ stroke while on tour
“Our longtime inspiration and dear friend suffered a debilitating stroke this past week in Toronto during the early days of a national tour,” a statement said.
“He has been unexpectedly and tragically forced off the road and onto a long, uncertain path to recovery.
“We ask for financial help from his family, friends and fans at this difficult time. Without insurance or tour income, Matthew faces a huge financial burden.
“The doctors and hospital care in Toronto played an important role in saving Matthew’s life, but health care is not free for Americans in Canada.
The statement continued: ‘He is now to be flown to the United States by ambulance transport aircraft with medical staff on board, to a specialist rehabilitation center, where he will receive 24-hour care and therapy for six weeks.
Sweet also appeared on the soundtrack to the 1996 cult film The Craft (pictured above in 1995)
Sweet is pictured above in April 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia
‘He will then require months of treatment and rehabilitation which we hope will lead to a full recovery. It goes without saying that the costs for all of these treatments will be overwhelming. We expect a total of almost a quarter of a million dollars.
“Your thoughts, love and support will mean the world to him. But please donate financially if you can. Matthew will be eternally grateful.
Sweet emerged from the Athens, Georgia music scene in the 1980s and became a leading figure of the 1990s power pop revival with the release of his album Girlfriend in 1991.
The songs Girlfriend and I’ve Been Waiting became fan favorites.
His next two albums, Altered Beast (1993) and 100% Fun (1995), contained the popular songs Time Capsule and Sick of Myself.