Bruce Foxton, veteran musician and famous former member of The Jam, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The singer and bassist shared the health diagnosis recently, just months away from his 71st birthday.
Bruce Foxton confirms diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
The singer opened up about online speculation about his health and confirmed his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. He also revealed that the disease was a result of complications from old cancer treatment, according to his Facebook post.He wrote: “Now I face a future living with Parkinson’s disease…and I’m determined to do as well as I can. It’s taking me a long time to let it sink in and accept that my body and mind are dealing with something completely out of my control.” Since last year, the singer was also suffering from a chest infection, which hampered his performance and caused him to cancel performances. He added: “The brutal heat coupled with an underlying chest infection knocked me down for six, and the medical advice was to rest while taking the medication.“Regarding his diagnosis and treatment, the bassist commented that “having the right medication to help treat the symptoms has given me another chance to continue doing what I love and what I live for in a relaxed and supportive environment.” He concluded the post by reassuring fans on the matter, saying, “I’ll keep playing live as long as I’m able to.”
What is Parkinson’s disease?
The Cleveland Clinic reports that Parkinson’s disease is “a progressive condition that affects movement. It often starts with tremors, stiffness, or slowness. It happens when brain cells that make dopamine stop working over time. There is no cure, but medications and therapies can help control symptoms to improve daily life.”
About The Jam
Paul Weller, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton founded the beloved band and rose to fame in 1977. After playing together for a couple of years and releasing music, the band broke up in 1982. They were known for addressing social and political issues with their songs and were a pioneering force in the music industry at the time. Some of his best and best known songs include ‘Down in the Tube Station at Midnight’, ‘Going Underground’ and ‘A Town Called Malice.Two years after the band split, Foxton released his debut album as a solo artist, ‘Touch Sensitive’.