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X's Exene Cervenka diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
Though she's currently in the midst of a US tour, X frontwoman Exene Cervenka released a statement today (6/2) announcing her recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
"After some months of not feeling 100% healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from multiple sclerosis," Cervenka said in a prepared statement. "Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time."
The veteran punk-rock outfit kicked off a US tour in early April that runs through late July. Cervenka confirmed that the recent medical news will not affect the band's in-progress run, or her solo album that's slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records.
"My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health--many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people."
The band has supported Sweet Relief--a charity that provides financial assistance to musicians struggling with disease, illness or other medical issues--since the mid-'90s. The organization was founded by Victoria Williams, a singer/guitarist who received a similar MS diagnosis while on tour with Neil Young in 1993.
Cervenka formed LA punk outfit X with her now-ex husband John Doe in 1977. The two married in 1980 and divorced five years later.
