3 Doors Down Singer Reveals Cancer Diagnosis

Although my primary focus here has always been genuine classic rock artists, I have devoted some time (probably not enough) to the discovery of contemporary rock artists that have that classic rock sound. I believe that 3 Doors Down satisfies that criteria.

I discovered 3 Doors Down quite by accident (and probably quite late) just a few months ago. When I mentioned my fondness for the group to my 30-something kids, they were quite familiar with them and told me they listened to them back in the early 2000s. So much for “new” discoveries!

I first heard 3 Doors Down — or perhaps it would be more accurate to say they first captured my attention — during a drive back from the post office. I often tune in classic rock stations on the car radio when I am alone in the car since I do not have to worry about how some loud rock music might suit my fellow travelers.

I had no idea who was responsible for the song on the radio that I found myself getting into that morning. To my ear, it certainly had a classic rock vibe and I really loved the singer’s voice. He had a way of conveying his feelings and emotions through his vocals that really stood out to me.

I made it a point to take note of what the most likely title of the song was based on the lyrics since I do not have a digital-capable radio in my car to display the track’s title. DJ’s these days don’t seem all that hung up on telling the audience the name of the artist at the end of the song like they so often did in the past.

My best guess for the name of the song was “Love Me When I’m gone” and that turned out to be close enough when I searched online for it when I got home. Naturally, I explored their other work, which was a simple matter thanks to Youtube. After a short while I was convinced they were worth paying attention to.

Just a few short months ago I might have reacted to the news of Brad Arnold’s recent revelation about a serious cancer diagnosis with a “Gee, that’s too bad” and moved on to read the other day’s news online without thinking about it all that much. However, because of my experience in the car on the way from the post office not long ago, it really caught my attention.

Arnold, the singer whose voice I found so compelling, shared the news online yesterday that he was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer that apparently started with clear cell renal cell carcinoma. That happens to be the most common form of kidney cancer and it originates in the cells lining the kidney’s filtering tubes.

In its earlier stages, the five year survival rate for this type of cancer is around 75 percent but with a Stage 4 diagnosis the outlook is not nearly as positive. Even so, recent treatment advancements such as immunotherapy and targeted drugs may offer genuine hope. While they are still too few and far between, stories of remarkable recoveries are not unheard of. At 46 years old, it is not unreasonable to imagine that Brad Arnold has plenty of fight left in him.

Although a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis is something that is certain to terrify almost anyone and shake them to their core, I was impressed with how Brad Arnold conducted himself during the online revelation of his diagnosis. As an agnostic, I cannot relate to his apparent faith in a higher power but I certainly respect his beliefs and hope it gives him the strength to fight and eventually defeat the cancer that’s trying to take him away from his loved ones and fans.

Arnold appears to have plenty of support coming from fellow artists like Scott Stapp of Creed, who commented on Arnold’s Instagram post, saying, “If anyone has the FAITH and STRENGTH to face this fight, it’s YOU brother. You and your family are in my prayers daily.

Adam Gontier, formerly of Three Days Grace, wrote, “Sending all my love brother” while Chris Daughtry expressed a similar sentiment, writing, “Sending you love my brother.”

As a result of his diagnosis, 3 Doors Down had decided to cancel their plans for a tour that was planned for this summer. Successful treatment will hopefully turn that cancellation into a postponement and we will see Arnold on stage with his bandmates sometime in the future with this chapter of his life behind him.

He surely seems to have the right attitude heading into a battle that may end up being the most difficult he has ever faced. His reference to their song “It’s Not My Time” indicates that his apparent absence of fear over his diagnosis does not mean he’s unwilling to fight.

Considering his strong faith, support from loved ones and millions of fans, it would seem his chances are as good or perhaps batter than anyone facing a similar diagnosis and here’s hoping he will some day be able to add “cancer survivor” to his list of other impressive accomplishments