Jason White: Green Day Guitarist Has Tonsil Cancer, Band Releases Statement


Jason White, a longtime guitarist for the popular rock band Green Day, has been diagnosed with tonsil cancer.

The news was officially confirmed in a statement released by the band.

“We have some news to report regarding our brother Jason White, and wanted you to hear it from us before word spread. Jason recently underwent a routine tonsillectomy, and his doctors discovered a treatable form of tonsil cancer.”

In addition to mentioning that the 41-year-old guitarist’s diagnosis was “treatable,” the statement continues by stating that the band expects Jason White to make a full recovery thanks to the early detection of the cancer.

“Thankfully they caught it early and he should make a full and speedy recovery. Please join us in sending him love and positive healing vibes during this time.”

Jason White has a very long history with Green Day — something that most longtime fans and critics of the band already know.

Even though White has been associated with the band for two decades, he was not seen onstage with the guys until 1999.

Long before that particular moment, Jason White appeared in the band’s 1994 music video for “When I Come Around.” In the video, he is filmed making out with a woman that was actually his real-life girlfriend at that time.

Rolling Stone confirms that his first appearance as a guitarist with Green Day on stage was during the Warning tour.

Jason joined Green Day during each of the following tours after that point of the band’s history and eventually became the lead guitarist for all of the live performances. However, it still took a number of years until he officially joined Green Day as a full-time band member in 2012.

Quite a few people have posted their reactions and responses to the news about Jason White’s diagnosis on Twitter.

In addition to being there to support their “brother” and fellow band member, Green Day is also preparing to be officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the 2015 class.

[Image Credit: Green Day]

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