W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless has shared an update on former bandmate Chris Holmes’ battle with prostate cancer. He revealed that the guitarist is “not doing well” following the start of his chemotherapy treatment in France, according to Whiplash by Full Metal Jackie.
Lawless explained that communication with Holmes has been limited to letters. He noted that a recent message indicated his former guitarist’s condition has taken a turn for the worse.
“I’ve corresponded with him via letters, but that’s really as far as it’s gone so far because we got a message just a few days ago,” Lawless said. “He’s not doing well, so we really don’t know where he is right now as, as far as his treatment. We know that he’s living in France.”
Lawless also reflected on what made Holmes stand out most as a musician and bandmate. He pointed to his stage presence and performance ability rather than his songwriting credits.
“[The thing that stood out to him most about Chris] was his ability to perform. I mean, that’s the thing that made him who he was,” Lawless continued. “‘Cause if you look at the records like the big solos, ‘Blind In Texas’, ‘Wild Child’ — that’s [early W.A.S.P. guitarist] Randy Piper doing that.”
Lawless drew a comparison to another iconic rock act, noting that Holmes’ contribution to W.A.S.P. was similar to the often-overlooked role of a fellow guitarist in a legendary band.
“It’s a little like Aerosmith. People think that Joe Perry is the end all to that musically, but Brad Whitford had a whole lot to say about what was really going on with leads,” Lawless said. “So we weren’t different when it came to that. But [Chris’s] ability to perform, that’s what set him apart. So I think when people think of him, that’s what they think of.”
Holmes’ cancer battle stretches back further than the current fight. His history with W.A.S.P. helps explain why his condition has hit fans so hard.
Holmes’ prostate cancer diagnosis actually came about almost by accident. During a routine visit in France to check on his throat, he mentioned urinary symptoms to his doctor. That prompted further testing that ultimately revealed the cancer. He has since pointed to a possible hereditary link, noting that his father also battled prostate cancer.
This is not Holmes’ first fight with the disease. Back in 2022, the guitarist was diagnosed with throat and neck cancer. He underwent seven weeks of radiation treatment before announcing he had beaten it. The prostate cancer diagnosis arrived just a few years later, adding another difficult chapter to his health struggles.
Holmes’ history with W.A.S.P. spans nearly two decades on and off. He first joined the band in 1982 and remained a member until 1990. He returned in 1996 for a second stint that lasted until 2001. He has not performed with the band since his departure, though his contributions during those years helped shape the group’s sound and stage presence during some of its most iconic eras.
Holmes’ wife launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover mounting medical costs, citing administrative insurance issues that left much of his care unfunded, compounding the difficulty of his current treatment. The fundraiser underscores just how serious and costly his ongoing battle with prostate cancer has become. He continues treatment far from the spotlight that once defined his career.
