Tony MacAlpine Reports ‘All Is Well’ After 2015 Colon Cancer Diagnosis, Returns to Touring
2015 was an especially difficult year for Tony MacAlpine as he was diagnosed and treated for colon cancer. A number of his musical friends including Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Mike Portnoy and John 5 hosted a benefit last December to help with medical costs. After receiving treatment and recovering, MacAlpine is ready to return to the concert stage.
The guitarist reveals in his first social media posting in quite some time that "all is well in medical land" and that he's been feeling "back to normal." As such, he's announced a run of shows in October where he'll be playing a mix of solo headlining shows and dates opening for Steve Vai. MacAlpine's post can be viewed below:
Hello Friends and music family! I hope all is well for everyone reading this.
It’s been a while since I have reached out to you, but now the good fortune of health and timing is allowing me to do so. I have been feeling back to normal and tests indicate that all is well in medical land. Deep and sincere thanks to you all for your wonderful support through this very difficult last 12 months.
I will be playing a run of US West Coast shows in October with my trio: Aquiles Priester (drums) and Bjorn Englen (bass). There will be some solo/headline shows, and some very cool shows supporting Steve Vai!
We are looking forward to seeing you at the shows! I will be playing some carefully selected material from my repertoire. The band and I are very anxious to play for even more of you around the world in the next 12 months.
Have a great summer… play loud and listen proud!
Tony MacAlpine
MacAlpine had just released his Concrete Gardens album in May of 2015 when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer the following month. He began touring in support of the album, but shut down the tour when his own health became a concern. That's when he visited the doctor and learned in August of 2015 that there was a tumor on his intestine. The remainder of the year found MacAlpine being treated and his musical friends chipping in with the benefit.
The guitarist will kick off his 2016 touring with a solo date Oct. 7 at the Baked Potato in Studio City, Calif., followed by a string of West Coast shows opening for Vai. The month comes to a conclusion with three final solo dates for MacAlpine. See all of the scheduled stops below.
Tony MacAlpine 2016 Tour Dates
10/7 - Studio City, Calif. - The Baked Potato
10/8 - Riverside, Calif. - Fox Performing Arts Center *
10/9 - Las Vegas, Nev. - House Of Blues *
10/11 - San Diego, Calif. - House Of Blues *
10/12 - Ventura, Calif. - Ventura Theater *
10/13 - San Francisco, Calif. - The Fillmore *
10/14 - Sacramento, Calif. - Ace Of Spades *
10/16 - Portland, Ore. - Revolution Hall *
10/17 - Seattle, Wash. - Studio Seven
10/20 - San Diego, Calif. - Brick By Brick
10/28 - San Pedro, Calif. - Alvas Showroom
* supporting Steve Vai
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