Blondie’s Chris Stein’s ongoing health problems continue to trouble him. In March, we learned that Stein had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, in addition to the heart problem that had prevented him from touring with Blondie over the last year. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, he had announced that due to ongoing health issues, the possibility of him rejoining the band for future performances was ‘doubtful.’
Stein says he is accepting the fact that he may never tour with the band again. He said:
“I miss it a little [playing live], but it’s a lot of work, and I did it for 50 years, I kind of got it out of my system. It’s doubtful I’m gonna do more shows at this point.”
He also said that his lifestyle also played a part in these health problems by stating:
“All this stuff caught up with me in my old age. Don’t do drugs, kids, is all I can say. All that shit I did over the years didn’t help.”
Chris Stein’s Ongoing Health Struggles
Earlier this year, we learned from X that he was battling prostate cancer as well as an irregular rhythm in his heart (atrial fibrillation). His statement was as follows:
“I’m yet again sorry to report that I won’t make it to our scheduled speaking engagements in the UK. This year I’ve been dealing with a prostate cancer diagnosis on top of my regular bullshit heart ailments. As a result, I’m more fried than usual. I’m still working on various projects while spending a lot of time in sweatpants at home with my wife Barbara, kids, and animals.”
But Blondie’s founding member and guitarist Stein’s health troubles do not stop there. In 1983, Blondie co-founder Chris Stein was diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris, a rare autoimmune disease that primarily affects the skin. Fortunately, Stein’s condition was classified as a mild form of the disease, which allowed for better management and control.