Singer Matthew Sweet Suffers 'Debilitating' Stroke on Tour With Hanson

Musician Matthew Sweet has canceled all of his upcoming concerts after suffering a major medical emergency.

“Matthew Sweet, our longtime inspiration and dear friend, suffered a debilitating stroke this past week in Toronto while in the early days of a national tour,” Catherine Lyons, production manager at Russell Carter Artist Management, wrote on a GoFundMe page for the singer. “He has been unexpectedly and tragically forced off the road and onto a long, uncertain path to recovery. We are asking for financial help in this difficult time from his family, friends, and fans. Without insurance or touring income, Matthew faces an enormous financial burden.”

Upon being flown back to the U.S., Sweet was transferred to “a specialized rehabilitation center, where he will receive around-the-clock care and therapy for six weeks,” the statement reveals. “He will then require months of treatment and rehabilitation that we hope will lead to a full recovery. Needless to say, the costs for all of this treatment will be overwhelming. We anticipate a total close to a quarter of a million dollars.”

Lyons noted that fans’ “thoughts, love, and support will mean the world to him, adding that Sweet will be “forever grateful” to those who are able to financially contribute to his recovery.

Celebrity Health Scares Through the Years

Sweet, known for his ’90s hits such as “Girlfriend” and “Sick of Myself,” was on “an extensive cross-country tour of both headline dates and opening slots for longtime friends Hanson” at the time of his stroke, Sweet’s manager Russell Carter shared in a statement to Us Weekly on Wednesday, October 23. “Matthew was quickly admitted to Toronto Western Hospital where he was put into excellent care and taken out of immediate danger.”

Noting that Sweet is “now on a long, difficult road to recovery,” Carter continued: “All of us who know and love Matthew have hope for a speedy recovery. Matthew has always been intensely focused and tenacious in all of his endeavors — not only in his recording career, but in all of his artistic and intellectual pursuits. I am confident that his signature determination will serve him well as he focuses now on recovery to good health.”

Since the singer’s GoFundMe page was launched on Monday, October 21, fans have raised over $197,000 out of the campaign’s $250,000 goal.

Before news of Sweet’s stroke was revealed, the artist’s Instagram page announced earlier this month that his upcoming show dates had been canceled due to a medical issue. “Matthew needs to pause traveling for a period of recovery. We hope to have Matthew and his band back out on the road in 2025,” the October 14 Instagram post read. “Refunds are available at point of purchase. Thank you for your understanding, and please wish Matthew a speedy recovery, and a return to action soon.”

Sweet’s team shared a screenshot of his GoFundMe page via Instagram on Wednesday, writing, “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your many generous donations and well-wishes from all around the world in the past 48hrs. We urge those who haven’t chipped in to please consider showing your support for Matthew during this critical time.”