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Everclear frontman Art Alexakis is 'still going strong' 3 years after multiple sclerosis diagnosis

Everclear frontman Art Alexakis announced Tuesday that he was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in 2016 following a car accident, but he's been suffering from the chronic disease for '10-20 years.'

'It's been almost three years since that diagnosis, and MS has become another part of my life,' the 56-year-old singer-guitarist said in an open letter on the band's website.

'I have done amazing things in that time - touring four full tours with Everclear, in addition to another 250 plus shows all around the world, and I’m still going strong. I have spent precious time with my family and friends; we bought a house that we love last year, and I have learned what the word gratitude really means.  

Going public: Everclear frontman Art Alexakis announced Tuesday that he was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in 2016 following a car accident, but he's been suffering from the chronic disease for '10-20 years'

Going public: Everclear frontman Art Alexakis announced Tuesday that he was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in 2016 following a car accident, but he's been suffering from the chronic disease for '10-20 years'

'All that said, I can feel the disease slowly growing in me. I now have to give myself injections three times a week. My neurologist says as long as I stay on the medication, I should live into my 80s without progression. We shall see.'

The LA native decided to go public after hearing rumors he 'was drinking again or back on drugs' and 'looked unsteady on stage.'

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'So, if you see me stumbling...sweaty, looking both tired and anxious at the same time, maybe a little more confused than usual, or forgetting lyrics yet looking happy (which is weird for me), please know that I have not fallen off the wagon. I am just learning how to be the new me,' Art explained.

Alexakis credited his supportive fourth wife Vanessa Crawford - with whom he has an 11-year-old daughter Arizona Star - for being 'a bad a** and [reminding] me in that moment, that so am I.'  

'I have not fallen off the wagon': The 56-year-old singer-guitarist decided to go public after hearing rumors he 'was drinking again or back on drugs' and 'looked unsteady on stage' (pictured October 14)

'I have not fallen off the wagon': The 56-year-old singer-guitarist decided to go public after hearing rumors he 'was drinking again or back on drugs' and 'looked unsteady on stage' (pictured October 14)

The LA native said: 'It's been almost three years since that diagnosis, and MS has become another part of my life. I have done amazing things in that time - touring four full tours with Everclear, in addition to another 250 plus shows all around the world, and I’m still going strong' (pictured December 2)

The LA native said: 'It's been almost three years since that diagnosis, and MS has become another part of my life. I have done amazing things in that time - touring four full tours with Everclear, in addition to another 250 plus shows all around the world, and I’m still going strong' (pictured December 2)

'Vanessa told me, "We got this"': Art credited his supportive fourth wife Vanessa Crawford - with whom he has an 11-year-old daughter Arizona Star - for being 'a bad a** and [reminding] me in that moment, that so am I' (pictured in 2018)

'Vanessa told me, "We got this"': Art credited his supportive fourth wife Vanessa Crawford - with whom he has an 11-year-old daughter Arizona Star - for being 'a bad a** and [reminding] me in that moment, that so am I' (pictured in 2018)

'[My doctor] said within a year I could have 90 percent of my abilities back': Alexakis' MS revelation came a month after actress Selma Blair (R) discussed her own 'aggressive form' of multiple sclerosis she's been suffering from since October

'[My doctor] said within a year I could have 90 percent of my abilities back': Alexakis' MS revelation came a month after actress Selma Blair (R) discussed her own 'aggressive form' of multiple sclerosis she's been suffering from since October

'I remember [the night of my diagnosis] my wife Vanessa holding my face in her hands, and telling me "We got this," with not a shred of pity or fear in her eyes,' the platinum blond rocker recalled.

'I knew then that I wasn’t going to go through this alone. My wife is a lot of things - all good, but one thing she isn't is fake, something we have in common. We don't do fake in our family.'

The thrice-divorced father-of-two also has a 26-year-old daughter Annabella Rose with his ex-wife #2 Jenny Dodson.

Art's MS revelation came a month after actress Selma Blair discussed her own 'aggressive form' of multiple sclerosis she's been suffering from since October. 

Formed in Portland 1991: Art's Grammy-nominated alt-rock band is next scheduled to perform April 13 at North Carolina's Moo & Brew Fest in Charlotte (pictured February 27)

Formed in Portland 1991: Art's Grammy-nominated alt-rock band is next scheduled to perform April 13 at North Carolina's Moo & Brew Fest in Charlotte (pictured February 27)

He continued: 'Going forward, I am finishing up my 1st solo album Sun Songs, which will be out early summer...And this summer I will finally start writing the book people have been telling me to write for the last 20 years...I think it's about time!' (pictured January 21)

He continued: 'Going forward, I am finishing up my 1st solo album Sun Songs, which will be out early summer...And this summer I will finally start writing the book people have been telling me to write for the last 20 years...I think it's about time!' (pictured January 21)

Musical foursome: The platinum blond rocker, Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne, Max Collins of Eve 6, and John Wozniak of Marcy Playground will kick off their 29-date Songs & Stories Tour on May 1 at the Dacres in Walla Walla

Musical foursome: The platinum blond rocker, Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne, Max Collins of Eve 6, and John Wozniak of Marcy Playground will kick off their 29-date Songs & Stories Tour on May 1 at the Dacres in Walla Walla

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'[My doctor] said within a year I could have 90 percent of my abilities back,' the 46-year-old Grammy nominee told GMA on February 26.

'[At first], I was not taken seriously by doctors. "Just single mother, you're exhausted, financial burden, blah blah blah."'

Alexakis' Grammy-nominated alt-rock band - formed in Portland 1991 - is next scheduled to perform April 13 at North Carolina's Moo & Brew Fest in Charlotte.

'Going forward, I am finishing up my 1st solo album Sun Songs, which will be out early summer,' he said of his career.

'On May 1st I'm embarking on a solo tour called Songs and Stories, joined by three other singer-songwriters [Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne, Max Collins of Eve 6, and John Wozniak of Marcy Playground] that I respect and admire. And this summer I will finally start writing the book people have been telling me to write for the last 20 years...I think it's about time!'

The musical foursome kick off their 29-date Songs & Stories Tour on May 1 at the Dacres in Walla Walla.

 

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Patria Henriques

Update: 2024-07-08