Alt-rock singer suffers stroke on tour. Manager fundraising for his care, transport back to U.S.

Singer Matthew Sweet recently canceled a month of shows for illness.
Now his management has announced he recently had a stroke.
Sweet, 60, known for songs like “Sick of Myself” and “Girlfriend,” rose to fame with a power pop sound as part of the ‘90s alt-rock scene.
“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,” said his manager, Catherine Lyons, in a statement on a GoFundMe page she set up for the artist.
“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.”
Sweet, who had been on tour with the band Hanson and performing his own shows, released the album “Girlfriend” in 1991, followed by “Altered Beast” (1993) and “100% Fun” (1995).
Sweet, born Sidney Matthew Sweet in Lincoln, Nebraska, started his career as part of the music scene in Athens, Georgia that was also home to R.E.M.
His other songs include “Time Capsule” and “I’ve Been Waiting.”
Sweet had previously canceled shows from Oct. 10 to Nov. 16 on doctor’s advice, including an Oct. 16 New York show with Hanson at The Palladium Times Square.
Lyons went on to explain more about the situation involving a lack of coverage for Sweet’s medical care.
“The doctors and hospital care in Toronto were instrumental in saving Matthew’s life, but health care is not free for Americans in Canada,” she said. “He must now be flown back to the States on an ambulance transport plane with medical staff on board, to a specialized rehabilitation center, where he will receive around-the-clock care and therapy for six weeks.”
But it’s not just six weeks. Lyons detailed the road ahead for the singer.
“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.”
So far $221,610 of $250,000 has been raised for Sweet’s transport and care.
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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at [email protected] and followed at @AmyKup.