Session guitar great Chris Spedding diagnosed with lymphoma

Chris Spedding performs onstage at the Royal Albert Hall in London on his 75th birthday on June 17, 2019
(Image credit: Gus Stewart/Getty Images)

A GoFundMe has been set up to support veteran session guitarist Chris Spedding as he begins treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Campaign organizer Eden Cale writes that Spedding – whose illustrious résumé includes credits with Paul McCartney, Brian Eno, the Pretenders, John Cale, and Jack Bruce – was recently diagnosed with large B-cell high-grade, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and is now undergoing intensive chemotherapy treatments.

“Chris’ genius as a musician, session guitarist, and producer has touched generations of music lovers. But to our family, he's just been Uncle Chris,” Cale says. “Now, at 82, Chris faces a tough new battle.”

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“Because this fight will pause his ability to work and tour, Chris and his wife, Jody, need our support to help cover essential living expenses and additional medical expenses as they navigate this difficult period.

“Anyone who knows Chris knows he is a kind, generous soul who would step up for anyone in need. For decades, he has given us unforgettable music. Now, it is our turn to rally around him to show our appreciation of him during this challenging time.”

The campaign aims to raise £50,000, and is online now.

Earlier this year, Spedding spoke to Guitar World about some of the highlights of his amazing, 60-year career. Aside from his work with McCartney, Eno, the Pretenders, Cale, and Bruce, Spedding has also played with Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Elton John, Tom Waits, and Robert Gordon.

Jackson Maxwell
Operations Editor

Jackson is Operations Editor at GuitarWorld.com. He’s been writing and editing stories about new gear, technique and guitar-driven music both old and new since 2014, and has also written extensively on the same topics for Guitar Player. Elsewhere, his album reviews and essays have appeared in Louder and Unrecorded. Though open to music of all kinds, his greatest love has always been indie, and everything that falls under its massive umbrella. To that end, you can find him on Twitter crowing about whatever great new guitar band you need to drop everything to hear right now.

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