Matthew Sweet, the singer-songwriter married to Lisa Sweet, was hit by an intense stroke in October. He was on the road for a tour at the time. The news came to light on Tuesday, October 22, when a GoFundMe was launched to raise the funds needed for his recovery.
According to Variety, Matthew Sweet suffered the stroke on October 12 in Toronto, ahead of his scheduled opening for Hanson, a pop band. According to his GoFundMe, the singer was forced to make his way back home. It also reveals that the singer, "without insurance or touring income," faces "an enormous financial burden."
Here's all we know about Matthew Sweet's wife, Lisa Sweet
Born Sidney Matthew Sweet, the singer is best known for his alternative rock/power pop prowess. He was first thrust into the limelight in the 1990s, having worked as a solo artist for only a handful of years by then.
While he released his first album, Inside, in 1986, one of his most famous tracks to date is Girlfriend, released in 1991, infamously inspired by his first wife. He credits their failed marriage for the track. Other than they divorced in 1990, not much is known about the unnamed woman. In speaking about his divorce, he told Entertainment Weekly in April 1992,
"People say, 'This is your big breakup record – will you still be able to write good songs?' I'm sure I'll be just as depressed at some other point in my life."
He also reflected on the album with Rolling Stone in November 1991,
"It's funny how the album ended up showing everything I needed to feel. Everything I needed as an antidote is there."
Matthew Sweet and his current wife, Lisa Sweet have been staying in Omaha, Nebraska since 2013.
Matthew Sweet's medical expenses are "exorbitant" his GoFundMe reveals
According to his GoFundMe, organized by Catherine Lyons from Russell Carter Artist Management, "the doctors and hospital care in Toronto" were able to save Matthew's life, but "health care is not free for Americans in Canada." As such, the singer will be airlifted back to the States "on an ambulance transport plane with medical staff on board."
"He has been unexpectedly and tragically forced off the road and onto a long, uncertain path to recovery. We are asking for financial help in this difficult time from his family, friends, and fans."
He will be relocated to a "specialized rehabilitation center, where he will receive around-the-clock care and therapy for six weeks." Following months of treatment and rehab, the singer is expected to make a full recovery. In speaking with Variety, Carter, Sweet’s longtime manager, revealed:
"Matthew’s medical expenses in Canada and Omaha are exorbitant and his primary source of income – like most professional musicians – is live touring. He cannot perform for the foreseeable future. We have set up a GoFundMe campaign so family, friends, and Matthew’s amazing network of fans can contribute to help pay his medical expenses. Please contribute if you can and please repost the link to the GoFindMe fundraiser anywhere you can.”
The GoFundMe page further adds:
"Needless to say, the costs for all of this treatment will be overwhelming. We anticipate a total close to a quarter of a million dollars. Your thoughts, love, and support will mean the world to him. But please donate financially if you possibly can. Matthew will be forever grateful to you."
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Matthew Sweet was on the road, performing with his acoustic trio. Their gig first started in Des Moines on October 1, and was expected to run through November 16 in Seattle. The trio were expected to make pit stops in places like Los Angeles and more.
However, following his stroke, all shows were canceled on the morning of October 13, citing "a medical illness." At the time of writing, about $119,028 has been raised out of the $250,000 target, stemming from over 2000 donations.
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