Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted recently opened up about his secret throat cancer battle and explained his decision to return to touring. He shared deeply personal details in an interview on Bill Burr’s Monday Morning Podcast.
Newsted revealed that he underwent throat cancer treatment nearly a year ago and kept his diagnosis private until recently. He described how the experience brought him closer to death than ever before and ultimately motivated his return to performing.
“About a couple of days from now, two days from now will be one year [since I underwent a procedure for] throat cancer. 62 years old, last year in May. So they go in there, they cut that open. They took out all my lymph nodes out of here,” Newsted said. “They go in this way with this thing called a TORS surgery, where it’s trans[oral] robotic laser surgery, and they go inside there and cut a bunch of stuff out of the back of my head. They found it early. We got all of it. I’m good now, but it took a year [to get through all the treatment].”
The bassist explained how the cancer battle changed his perspective on life and performing.
“I didn’t [publicly] share [my cancer diagnosis] until this week. So I’m telling people now… But the deal is kind of one of the reasons that I’m coming back [to touring]. I [slowed down] for a while. I did that through my 40s and 50s. And now this thing put me in check more than anything ever has. It’s the closest I’ve ever come to not breathing,” he continued. “And so now the most alive that I can feel, just as you do with your kids, or on the stage, or playing drums, or whatever it is, when I feel the most alive is when I’m playing really loud and screaming and sweating and exchanging with the people.”
Newsted also shared details about his recovery and return to touring with his Chophouse Band.
“So I’m going back out. I manifested this. I went and talked to the Blackberry [Smoke] guys. I talked to [Blackberry Smoke vocalist and guitarist] Charlie [Starr]. And I asked Charlie, ‘Man, how about you let Chophouse Band come and open some shows for you on your 25th-anniversary tour?’ And he said, ‘Sure, Jay. And so here we are,” he said. “But I have to do it so I can prove to myself that I can, but also to correct this shit, because I need to feel super alive because I felt pretty close to dead.”
The treatment left lasting effects, but Newsted emphasized his renewed appreciation for life.
“And I want to get back these joys that were removed from me by that f*cking thing. It took away my taste buds. It took away my… This is all still numb. It’s f*cking crazy, dude. And so now I appreciate every f*cking minute,” he concluded. “We both know tomorrow’s not guaranteed to nobody, but this is kind of a different kind of awareness now, different kind of reflection took place this last year and really put in check like never before. So I’m back to my touring weight. I lost a bunch, of course, as we went along, but I’m back to my touring weight. I’m back to my thing. I got a bunch of new songs. I got a killer band. I’m trying to feel as alive as possible. So that’s where I’m at with that.”
Newsted’s candid revelation about his health struggle provides insight into the challenges faced by musicians who rely heavily on their vocal abilities throughout their careers.
Metal Addicts reported that the cancer diagnosis stemmed from years of vocal strain from performing, particularly the intense screaming vocals required during his time with Metallica and subsequent bands. The TORS (TransOral Robotic Surgery) procedure he underwent is a minimally invasive technique that uses robotic assistance to remove throat tumors while preserving voice and swallowing functions.
The recovery process proved challenging for the 62-year-old musician. Metal Addicts noted that Newsted experienced temporary muteness following the surgery and required 6-9 months of speech therapy and vocal rest to achieve full voice recovery. He credited both medical treatment and holistic methods, including diet changes and acupuncture, for his successful rehabilitation.
By summer 2025, Newsted had begun his gradual return to performing with his Chophouse Band. The band features members from his post-Metallica projects. The band opened select dates for Blackberry Smoke’s U.S. tour, marking Newsted’s first major performances since his diagnosis. Initially, he sat out high-intensity vocals but gradually increased his participation. He eventually joined for encores as his confidence and vocal strength returned.
The health scare also reignited connections with his former Metallica bandmates. Metal Addicts mentioned that Newsted received private messages of support from drummer Lars Ulrich and other former bandmates during his recovery period. While there are no plans for a Metallica reunion, the experience has sparked nostalgia for his time with the legendary metal band from 1986 to 2001.
