Ronnie Platt, the lead singer of the Grammy-nominated rock band Kansas, is preparing to undergo surgery for thyroid cancer early next month.
Platt, 64, is scheduled to have his thyroid removed on March 4, according to a statement shared with The Epoch Times on Friday via the band’s assistant manager, J.R. Rees.
“So far, the prognosis has been very good,” Platt wrote.
“I’m looking forward to getting this behind me and being back in the saddle as soon as possible. I appreciate the outpouring of support I’ve been receiving. Thank you.”
Last week, Platt announced on Facebook that he had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer on Feb. 11.
“I sincerely appreciate everyone’s positive thoughts and prayers. I have some absolutely amazing people going to bat for me!! as it has been put to me, this is just a bump in the road and will be behind me very soon!”
Platt received supportive messages and well wishes in the comment section.
“Sending prayers for you my friend,” one Facebook user shared. “I know you will be back stronger than ever!” another commented. “Get well soon, Ronnie! We’re all here for you!!” a fan wrote.
According to the Mayo Clinic, thyroid cancer develops when abnormal cells rapidly grow in the thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck, forming a tumor. Symptoms may include a lump on the neck, voice changes, difficulty swallowing, and pain in the neck and throat.
If left untreated, thyroid cancer can spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck as well as other parts of the body, such as the bones in the spine, pelvis, and ribs.
In a separate statement shared on behalf of the band, Rees told The Epoch Times that Kansas is looking forward to getting back on the road as soon as possible.
Concert Cancellations
Kansas, which is famed for its 1970s hits, including “Carry on Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind,” was forced to reschedule two shows in Oklahoma earlier this month amid Platt’s cancer battle.On Feb. 18, just days after the frontman issued his health announcement, the classic rock group revealed on Instagram that it had canceled an upcoming concert in Lake Charles, Louisiana, scheduled for March 1, citing “band illness and doctor advisement.”
Kansas currently has concerts scheduled throughout the summer, including a series of shows in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in mid-March. In April, the band is slated to perform in Ivins, Utah; Belton, Texas; and Mount Pleasant, Michigan. However, it’s unclear if any of these dates will also be affected.
The band formed in 1973 in Topeka, Kansas, releasing its debut self-titled album “Kansas” the following year.
Since then, the group has released more than a dozen studio albums, including “Song for America” (1975), “Masque” (1975), “Leftoverture” (1976), and “Point of Know Return” (1977).
The band’s 1980s offerings include “Audio-Visions” (1980), “Vinyl Confessions” (1982), “Drastic Measures” (1983), and “Power” (1986), the group’s tenth studio album.
Platt joined Kansas in 2014, following the departure of the band’s longtime vocalist Steve Walsh.
The group went on to release “The Prelude Implicit” in September 2016 and its most recent studio album, “The Absence of Presence,” in July 2020.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Kansas embarked on its “Another Fork in The Road” tour in 2023.
However, in February 2024, the band announced that Eric Holmquist would be taking over as drummer after founding member Phil Ehart suffered a heart attack.
“While not on the road, Phil is remaining in a prominent role with Kansas during his recovery, serving as band manager, as he has done for 40 years.”
