Matthew Sweet has suffered a stroke during the early days of his tour in Toronto, Canada.
The 60-year-old rocker – who is famed for hit songs including Girlfriend and I’ve Been Waiting – will need to go to a rehabilitation centre and start his ‘long, uncertain path to recovery’.
He will require costly medical care, and Catherine Lyons from his management team has set up a Go Fund Me on behalf of him.
On the page, she wrote: ‘Matthew Sweet, our longtime inspiration and dear friend, suffered a debilitating stroke this past week in Toronto while in the early days of a national tour.
‘He has been unexpectedly and tragically forced off the road and onto a long, uncertain path to recovery.
‘We are asking for financial help in this difficult time from his family, friends, and fans. Without insurance or touring income, Matthew faces an enormous financial burden.’
‘The doctors and hospital care in Toronto were instrumental in saving Matthew’s life, but health care is not free for Americans in Canada.’
Matthew will have to be flown back to the US on an ambulance plane with medical staff to a ‘specialised rehabilitation centre’ where he will require ‘around-the-clock care and therapy’ for the next six weeks.
She continued: ‘He will then require months of treatment and rehabilitation that we hope will lead to a full recovery.
‘Needless to say, the costs for all of this treatment will be overwhelming. We anticipate a total close to a quarter of a million dollars.
‘Your thoughts, love, and support will mean the world to him. But please donate financially if you possibly can. Matthew will be forever grateful to you.’