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, the statement read: ‘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.’
At the time of writing the Go Fund Me page has raised $185,845 of the $250,000 target.
Many people have commented with their well-wishes, from fans to friends.
One said: ‘Matthew – Your music has been illuminating my life for over 30 years. You’re still, and always will be, in my regular listening rotation. Thank you and get well soon ❤️.’
Another, who gave a generous $100, wrote: ‘Matthew, this is not a patch on what your music has meant to me over the past 40 years, but I hope it is a drop in what will be an overflowing bucket of financial and personal report on your road to recovery.’
Someone else – who said they were ‘in tears’ at the news, wrote: ‘I feel so horrible for you, Matthew. Your music has touched me like very few have.
‘I can’t believe after all the joy you’ve brought so many people you’re stuck with medical costs no one but the very rich could afford. So unfair!
‘As I sit here in tears, I wish you all the best in your recovery. We’ll be watching. Please be good to yourself. You’ve made a huge impact on my life. Thank you!’
His management team shared the Go Fund Me page on Instagram earlier this evening, saying how thankful they were at all the support in a short 48 hours.
‘We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your many generous donations and well-wishes from all around the world in the past 48hrs,’ they wrote.
‘We urge those who haven’t chipped in to please consider showing your support for Matthew during this critical time. ‘
Matthew’s intimate acoustic tour was due to continue around the US in November in celebration of his new album, Catspaw.
He began writing and recording songs in high school, and while Matthew released music in the 1980s, he found real commercial success the following decade with his breakthrough Girlfriend and following hits.