Charles Bradley Discovers Cancerous Tumor, Cancels Tour

“I’m getting the best medical care and we are all extremely optimistic,” Bradley said in a statement. “I will fight through this like I’ve fought through the many other obstacles in my life.”

Prior to the announcement today, Bradley recently called off gigs in Seattle, Vancouver and Atlanta as a result of medical issues. He had more shows booked until 2017, all of which are postponed so that the singer can heal properly.

Bradley released the album Changes earlier this year and had many festival appearances booked in North America and Europe, along with a number of headline shows.

A HotStar in 2012, Bradley has indeed persevered through many challenges, and spent much of his life working as a chef. It wasn’t until he lost his job that he began pursuing his dream of performing, releasing his debut album at the age of 62.

“Working with Charles as an individual, and his team overall, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a singular artist have as much an impact on an audience that Charles has,” his agent, Josh Brinkman told Pollstar in 2012. “He’s so committed at this point in his life to taking his songs and his message out to people, and try to touch each and every human being that’s in his audience.”

Bradley was also the subject of a documentary, “Charles Bradley: Soul of America,” which premiered at SXSW in 2012. Check out the trailer below.

For more on the soul man himself check out TheCharlesBradley.com.