Brad Arnold, the soulful vocalist of 3 Doors Down, has revealed a heart-wrenching update: he has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Since 1996, the 46-year-old has been the guiding force behind the Mississippi-bred rock outfit. His talent was evident even during his high school days, when he penned their groundbreaking 2000 hit, "Kryptonite."
In a poignant video shared on the band's Instagram page, Arnold bravely imparted some "difficult news." He elaborated, "A few weeks ago, I fell ill and sought medical attention. The diagnosis I received was devastating – I have clear cell renal carcinoma, which has unfortunately metastasized to my lungs... this places me at stage 4, and the prognosis is grim." Clear cell renal carcinoma holds the distinction of being the most prevalent form of kidney cancer, while stage 4 cancer, synonymous with metastatic cancer, signifies that the malignancy has spread beyond its origin to distant body parts.
Despite the gravity of his situation, Arnold clung to his unwavering Christian faith, asserting, "Yet, there's hope. We worship an Almighty God who can conquer any adversity. Therefore, I harbor no fear. I genuinely, deeply, am unperturbed by this challenge, albeit it compels us to cancel our summer tour, for which we sincerely apologize."
The band had been eagerly anticipating their performance at the Welcome to Rockville Festival in Daytona Beach, Florida, next week, followed by an extensive US tour spanning the summer. Regrettably, all scheduled engagements have now been nullified.
Arnold concluded his heartfelt message by imploring, "I yearn for your prayers whenever the opportunity arises. Perhaps it's time for me to revisit 'It's Not My Time,' our empowering anthem from 2008, don't you think? Thank you immensely. God's love encompasses you all. Our love encompasses you too. Until we meet again."
"It's Not My Time," released in 2008 as the lead single from their eponymous fourth album, was originally penned for the 2006 reboot of the disaster flick, The Poseidon Adventure, narrating a tale of escaping the clutches of death. Their debut album, The Better Life, released in 2000, achieved seven-time platinum status, paving the way for five more albums since then. Arnold, the band's longest-serving and sole original member, is a recovered alcoholic who abstained from drinking in 2016, openly discussing his newly found sobriety around the release of their latest album, Us and the Night.
In a moment that cemented their fame, 3 Doors Down thrilled crowds at Donald Trump's inaugural ceremony in 2017, serenading with "Kryptonite," "The Broken," "When I'm Gone," and "Here Without You."
