Former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted has opened up about a serious health scare that kept him out of the spotlight last year, revealing that he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2025—but has now been given the all-clear.
Newsted discussed the ordeal during an upcoming appearance on Dean Delray’s Let There Be Talk podcast, where he reflected on both his recovery and his return to music activity, including his upcoming tour with THE CHOPHOUSE BAND.
Addressing why he had to decline participation in Delray’s final Bon Scott/AC/DC tribute show earlier this year, Newsted explained that he was still dealing with the aftermath of treatment.
“If I could have been there, I would’ve been there,” he said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “And so I will talk about this a little bit. I decided that this week, as I’m beginning to roll out the promotion for the shows and stuff and let everybody know I’m gonna be back around, and you already know it — you’re, probably, in the 24 people that I told.
“So, let’s see — in one week, it’s gonna be a year,” he continued. “So one week from today, it’ll be a year. May 8th of 2025, I underwent a procedure for throat cancer. And so they took a bunch of s**t outta here and then they went in with lasers this way and took a bunch of s**t out. So the cavern inside my head is different than it was, but we got it early. And I got my ‘free and clear’ about three weeks ago. So I beat it.”
Newsted went on to describe how the experience forced him to step back and reassess his lifestyle and pace after decades of nonstop activity in the music world.
“I promised myself I was going to rest, and that was the first time I’ve done that in my life,” Jason added. “I’m usually just on or off. And so I promised myself I was gonna take the gravity off and lay down for the right amount of hours. And there’s no way, with my arrogant, spoiled a** that I would’ve stopped smoking weed, that I would’ve stopped drinking, that I would’ve stopped doing all the things. But the great spirit got my attention and said, ‘That’s not good right now, man.’ And so it pulled me off it. And so now I’m more clear-headed than I’ve been in my entire adult life. And so there’s blessings within everything. The lemonade I’m making this summer, bro — mm. Sweet. Ooh.”
The health update comes as Newsted prepares to return to the road in a major way. Last month, he announced his first-ever North American headlining tour with THE CHOPHOUSE BAND.
The 18-date run will kick off on July 1 in Northampton, Massachusetts at Iron Horse Music Hall and will travel across the South, Midwest, and East Coast before wrapping up with a two-night finale at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee on July 24–25. Along the way, the band will also make stops in cities including Albany, Alexandria, Grand Rapids, Knoxville, and more. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. local time.
In addition to their headlining shows, JASON NEWSTED & THE CHOPHOUSE BAND will also join forces with iconic Atlanta country rock outfit BLACKBERRY SMOKE for 10 performances throughout July.
Since 1992, THE CHOPHOUSE BAND has surfaced periodically for select benefit appearances and charity events, supporting causes such as veterans’ relief, animal rehabilitation, and youth music and arts education programs.
The 2026 lineup features Newsted alongside Jesse Farnsworth (guitar, vocals), Jimbo Hart (bass, vocals), Humberto Perez (guitar), and Robert John-Tucker (drums, vocals), continuing the band’s evolving blend of roots-driven and hard-edged music.
“We’re fired up to finally take this to the people, and it’s an honor to head out on the road with the BLACKBERRY crew for our first proper run,” said Newsted. “BLACKBERRY SMOKE has built a loyal following that knows and enjoys good music.
“We’ll be performing THE CHOPHOUSE BAND originals and selections from a few of our heroes. Even at places like the Ryman, we will play some acoustic-based tunes, but throughout the set it is guaranteed to get heavy!”
JASON NEWSTED & THE CHOPHOUSE BAND – 2026 North American Tour Dates
July 01 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
July 02 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground
July 03 – Lititz, PA – Mickey’s Black Box
July 05 – Wayne, PA – 118 North
July 06 – Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere
July 09 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheater*
July 10 – Durham, NC – Durham Performing Arts Center*
July 11 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium*
July 12 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
July 15 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark*
July 16 – Utica, NY – Saranac Brewery*
July 17 – Farmington, PA – Timber Rock Amphitheater*
July 18 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall*
July 20 – Grand Rapids, MI – Pyramid Scheme
July 21 – Newport, KY – Southgate House Revival
July 22 – Knoxville, TN – Open Chord
July 24 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium*
July 25 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium*
* Supporting BLACKBERRY SMOKE
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