Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:40 pmPhilip's Press Release wrote:For the first time since they reunited in December 2001, the Pogues are one man down. Guitarist Philip Chevron, who wrote the band's emigration classic "Thousands Are Sailing", will not be present for the band's upcoming shows in Sweden (August 10), Belgium (August 12), Lichfield (September 9) and their short tour of the West Coast of the USA (October 17 to November 2).
At the beginning of June, Philip, who turned 50 this month, was unexpectedly diagnosed with a strand of "locally advanced" throat cancer which requires immediate medical attention. This decision to suspend his live work has the complete support of the other Pogues who wish him a good and complete recovery. Though it is not yet known when Chevron will return to live work, it is hoped that he will again be available towards the end of this year.
The Pogues have not yet decided whether they will appoint a deputy guitarist for the upcoming shows but it is certain that they are prepared to fulfil their commitments as a seven-piece if necessary. Meanwhile, Philip has plenty of work he can accomplish back home in conjunction with his treatment and recovery, not least the box set collection the band will release in October to coincide with its 25th Anniversary. The 4-disc box set, compiled by the Pogues themselves in conjunction with Warner Music/Rhino, will mainly consist of previously unheard and unreleased studio recordings made between 1984 and 1994.
In addition to pulling out of these Pogues dates, Philip's other band, The Radiators from Space, have cancelled their July 6 show at the Voodoo Lounge in Dublin.
Philip has come to be a valued friend for many of us. I'm certain I speak for everyone here when I wish him a speedy recovery, and extend our best wishes throughout the ordeal.
We all love you. Get better soon.
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Update - Jan 27, 2008
Philip wrote:As I made no bones about the fact then that the treatment - 7 doses of Chemotherapy and 35 of Radiotherapy - was a living hell of sorts, I will not attempt to disguise my joy that I have recently been declared "disease-free". [...]
I never did actually make it to the full Seven Chemos. After the Sixth, I lost 90% of hearing in my left ear (the right ear is already, of course, deaf, as most of you know), at which point, the Chemo was abruptly withdrawn. "New thinking in the USA", my oncologist's registrar explained, " indicates that Five Chemo sessions are sufficient for your condition." Gee, thanks, Doc! Deafen me first, why dontcha? About the worst thing that can happen to a Musician is to lose his or her hearing and this development was devastating. Nobody offered me any hope whatsoever that my hearing would return, least of all the Oncology Team and its attendant Eye Nose Ear Throat specialists. I underwent intensive audiology tests in both Dublin and Nottingham and in both cases was told to put recovery out of my mind. And so it was, after a month of exceptional unhappiness, I spent 4000 Euros (£3000/$6000) on a state-of-the-art Digital Hearing Aid and embarked upon a period in which I struggled to lead as regular a life as the twin handicaps of deafness and the after-effects of Chemo and Radio therapies allowed.
But one day, about three months in, just as I was beginning to accept that the rest of my life as a musician, as a man, would be compromised by this, and started in on the inspirational Evelyn Glennie autobiography, the hearing just returned. Gradually at first, and then almost fully, which is where it has stayed ever since. None of my doctors sought the reason for this reversal and neither, to be honest, did I. We were all so relieved that we just didn't bother looking the gift horse in the mouth.
And so, thanks in great part to the TLC ministrations of my dear mother, who is still supervising my convalescence back home in Dublin, I have been slowly but certainly coming out of the fog. Although I have not worked with either The Pogues or The Radiators From Space since March 2007, I did actually manage to put together a 5-CD Pogues box set (rarities, demos, outtakes, that kinda thing) which will be released in April and which, I am convinced, is the hardest work I ever did with The Pogues; and I also oversaw the release in Europe/UK of the Radiators' third album Trouble Pilgrim which, I now realise, I had somehow managed to make (in 2006) when I was already sick. Now, as 2008 kicks off, I am determined to work again with both bands this year. In addition, I have had at least two serious theatrical/musical commissions which I am very much looking forward to.
You folks have been universally kind and helpful and understanding all this time and I love you for it. I will always remember the support, moral and practical, I received from so many of you.
Thanks
Lots of love
Philip C
Philip's entire message can be seen at: viewtopic.php?p=131633#p131633
Congratulations Philip!
Hope you get better soon.
