Former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted, 63, has opened up about his throat cancer diagnosis and treatment, revealing it was "the closest I've ever come to not breathing."
The battle began in early 2025 when Newsted's wife noticed a lump on his neck. Further examination confirmed the diagnosis: throat cancer. In May 2025, he underwent trans-oral robotic laser surgery (TORS) — a minimally invasive procedure to remove cancerous lymph nodes and tissue. Three weeks before his May 2026 interview, he received the news every cancer patient hopes for: he was declared free and clear.
The surgery, while successful, left lasting effects. Newsted noted it "took away my taste buds" and caused numbness that persisted long after the procedure. The physical structure inside his head was altered by the operation itself.
Speaking on the HPV connection, Newsted noted that HPV-related throat cancer has become the most prevalent cancer among males over 40. The experience fundamentally changed his perspective: "I need to feel super alive because I felt pretty close to dead."
Now fully recovered, Newsted is returning to the stage with THE CHOPHOUSE BAND, launching an 18-date North American tour on July 1. The run includes support dates with Blackberry Smoke and a night at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville — proof that one of metal's most beloved bassists is back with a renewed hunger for the stage.