Spinner

X Frontwoman Exene Cervenka Has Multiple Sclerosis

Singer Exene Cervenka of X announced on the band's website Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

"Although this is obviously unfortunate news, I am choosing to see the positive in it," she says in a statement. She maintains that her condition will not affect her participation on the current tour with punk band or the release of her upcoming album in the fall. "My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health -- many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people."

"It's a little bit of a reality check," John Doe, Cervenka's X bandmate, longtime collaborator and ex-husband, tells Spinner. "She's great. There's a lot of people that live with this. We take care of our own."

"She realizes that this is another challenge," Doe continues. "She's got a lot of support and it's all good. We'll take good care of Exene, don't worry."

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The singer, born Christine Cervenka, has been a member of X since 1977, and co-wrote many of the band's songs with Doe. She is also a member of the group the Knitters, which includes X's Doe and drummer DJ Bonebrake. Cervenka is also an artist and poet -- one of her books, 'Adulterers Anonymous,' with Lydia Lunch, was published in 1982. Cervenka was once married to actor Viggo Mortensen, and the two have a child together, Henry.

Cervenka and Doe has been writing new material together recently. One of their songs, 'It Just Dawned On Me,' appears on his Doe's collaborative album with the Sadies, 'Country Club.'

Meanwhile, X is right now in the middle of their 'Total Request Live' tour, which is also contributing to Sweet Relief, an organization started by Victoria Williams for musicians who need assistance to pay for their medical care.

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Dylan

It was Andy DeMize bro,real name Andrew Martinez.

June 04 2009 at 3:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dylan

God I'm old.Every time I click on these stories about something happening to a musician I have no idea who they are.

June 04 2009 at 3:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nancy

I am from LA. I remember the band X. Exene's real name is Christine. She didnt want the word CHRIST in her name so she took it out. You turn against God, these things happen.

June 04 2009 at 1:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
prncssdollbaby

My heart and prayers go out to you. If you ever need anything please contact your local National MS Society chapter. Always remember you are not alone "Together we will fight...Together we will win!

June 03 2009 at 11:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Doug B

Going to see them in the twin cities in a couple weeks. Best to you, hang in there.

June 03 2009 at 10:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pocndc

My sister suffering from MS is now in a comma because as she lost her ability to swollow one morning and almost choacked to death. What put her in the comma was't MS but the lack of care and consideration she received once the EMS and police arrived on the scene.They wanted to declare her dead and even told me I couldn't leave with the ambulance but had to wait on the coroner to arrive, as you can imagine, I left the police standing there and got to the hosital by private vehicle. My sister lost precious time but Thank God once she got to the hospital she was revived! I've had to fight the hospital who tried to have her removed off life suport, the doctors who said she wouldn't last 2 days, ever gain another pound after her weight slipped all the down to 61 lbs, and her kidney's would never work again, after they put her on dialysis to drain fluid from her body. Now, she weighs 141 lbs. and her kidney's are doing just fine, and she's begun to respond to outside stimulation, but there's always the realty of brain damage. Thank God I finally found a nursing home that understands life is always worth fighting for and as long as my sister fights then our job is to do all we can to aid and assist her! The last Monday in March of this year marked the two year anniversay for my sister's battle and I've vowed to fight for people with ms and the right to catastrophic care, so my prayers go out to this entertainer and to all who suffer from this terrible disease.

June 03 2009 at 8:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
stu

DAMMIT! Andy Demise is dead. Not one article. Who is this woman? Who's in her band? Apparently nobody if they are punk and I haven't heard of them. WHERE IS THE ARTICLE FOR ANDY DEMISE AOL NEWS? Drummer for TWO bands played on so many albums, thousands of fans. I'm so sick of hearing about sick and dead musicians nobody has ever heard of.

June 03 2009 at 1:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
suz hussey

AVOID STRESS, WHICH IN YOUR BIZ IS LIKELY TO BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE, BUT STRESS ONLY WORSENS 'MS. I'VE HAD MS FOR 30+ YEARS AND YES, ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!!!
I WAS IN A BAND, ALL THE WHILE, DIDN'T KNOW I HAD MS! GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND STAY AS ELAXED AS YOU CAN. SUZ HUSSEY

June 03 2009 at 1:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jessica

I was diagnosed with Relapsing/Remitting MS at 14 years old and am now 28. It's barely phased me so far, hopefully she has the same luck!

June 03 2009 at 1:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Carole

I was 43 when diaagnosed with MS..I'm 72 now...Yes sometimes it raises its ugly head and I just have to lay back, relax and go with it...BUT it does pass and I keep going..I can be talking and I know what I want to say but it won't come out and I just laugh at it and tell who ever I am talking with that I just had a short circuit and find another way to say what it was that I wanted to say...then at other times I am bone deep tired..That also passes..I have never been able to walk a straight line without weaving like a drunk man..LOL But I do walk and very well..They told me when diagnosed I would never work again and so I must just accept that...BOLOGNA! I thought, I'll show you I WILL..and I did up until time to retire...SO Yes! I agree with the many poster's on here...ATTITUDE has a lot to do with how you LIVE with this disorder...Or any other disorder..You just learn how to recognize when you must ease up and when you can go on..and then the down time is lessened somewhat...and it is different from person to person..I hate heat but love the COLD..I do REALLY well in the COLD..I fizzle in the heat..Some are the opposite and then others can't take either extreme...Good Wishes to this young lady..She can have a very full active life...

June 03 2009 at 1:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply