X guitarist Zoom fights cancer again

Billy Zoom of US punk veterans X is fighting bladder cancer and has been forced to step back from the band.

The 67-year-old will begin chemotherapy treatment in the coming week, after having being treated for prostate cancer five years ago.

The band have launched a GoFundMe page so that fans can help with Zoom’s medical fees – and it’s already raised $67,000 from a planned target of $50,000.

They say: “In the music community, we all take turns helping each other – we have since the beginning. Punk rock and benefits always went hand in hand: you name the cause, and the bands and fans will be there.

“Now it’s our turn to help Billy Zoom, the wittiest, smartest, nicest, best guitar player and friend we know. He has a long road ahead of him – but we’re confident. He’s beat cancer once and he’ll do it again!

“Please keep Billy in your prayers and send some positive energy. Donating a few bucks will help take away some of his financial stress and worry. It’s the punk rock thing to do.

Zoom makes his last appearances before undergoing treatment this weekend. X are playing a series of full-album shows at The Observatory, Orange County.

He’s to be replaced by stand-in Jesse Dayton for their upcoming US dates, with planned festival appearances under discussion.

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.