Jason Newsted has revealed that he spent the past year battling throat cancer, opening up about the diagnosis and recovery during the latest episode of Bill Burr’s Monday Morning Podcast.
The 63-year-old musician, best known for his years with METALLICA from 1986 to 2001, shared that he underwent a major medical procedure in May of last year after doctors discovered the cancer early.
“About a couple of days from now, two days from now will be one year [since I underwent a procedure for] throat cancer,” he said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “62 years old, last year in May. So they go in there, they cut that open. They took out all my lymph nodes out of here. They go in this way with this thing called a TORS surgery, where it’s trans[oral] robotic laser surgery, and they go inside there and cut a bunch of stuff out of the back of my head. They found it early. We got all of it. I’m good now, but it took a year [to get through all the treatment].”
Although Newsted kept the diagnosis private throughout his treatment, he explained that the experience has completely changed his outlook—and played a major role in his decision to return to the stage with the JASON NEWSTED & THE CHOPHOUSE BAND.
“I didn’t [publicly] share [my cancer diagnosis] until this week. So I’m telling people now… But the deal is kind of one of the reasons that I’m coming back [to touring],” he explained. “I [slowed down] for a while. I did that through my 40s and 50s. And now this thing put me in check more than anything ever has. It’s the closest I’ve ever come to not breathing. And so now the most alive that I can feel, just as you do with your kids, or on the stage, or playing drums, or whatever it is, when I feel the most alive is when I’m playing really loud and screaming and sweating and exchanging with the people.
“So I’m going back out. I manifested this. I went and talked to the BLACKBERRY SMOKE guys. I talked to Charlie Starr. And I asked Charlie, ‘Man, how about you let CHOPHOUSE BAND come and open some shows for you on your 25th-anniversary tour?’ And he said, ‘Sure, Jay.’ And so here we are.
“But I have to do it so I can prove to myself that I can, but also to correct this s**t, because I need to feel super alive because I felt pretty close to dead,” he continued. “And I want to get back these joys that were removed from me by that f**king thing. It took away my taste buds. It took away my… This is all still numb. It’s f**king crazy, dude.
“And so now I appreciate every f**king minute,” Jason added. “We both know tomorrow’s not guaranteed to nobody, but this is kind of a different kind of awareness now, different kind of reflection took place this last year and really put in check like never before. So I’m back to my touring weight. I lost a bunch, of course, as we went along, but I’m back to my touring weight. I’m back to my thing. I got a bunch of new songs. I got a killer band. I’m trying to feel as alive as possible. So that’s where I’m at with that.”
Last month, Newsted 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
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.