’90s alt-rocker Matthew Sweet was on tour with Hanson when he suffered a “debilitating” stroke.
Hanson — who has been on the road since early October touring their Underneath:Complete album — initially announced on October 14 that the “Girlfriend” singer, 60, was “unable to join us for the rest of the Underneath:Experience tour due to illness.”
“Please join us in wishing him well for a speedy recovery,” the band — made up of Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson — continued in the statement on their official website, later noting in a separate update that they are “so sad he can’t continue, but we loved every minute of the shows he was with us.”
Sweet’s official Instagram account also announced the news that same day.
“Due to a medical illness and on doctor’s advice, Matthew Sweet must cancel all remaining upcoming shows with Hanson, and his own headline dates, from October 10 thru November 16,” the lengthy message read. “Matthew needs to pause traveling for a period of recovery. We hope to have Matthew and his band back out on the road in 2025.”
But it wasn’t until one week later that Sweet’s medical emergency was revealed when his management company set up a GoFundMe for the “I’ve Been Waiting” artist.
“Matthew Sweet, our longtime inspiration and dear friend, suffered a debilitating stroke this past week in Toronto while in the early days of a national tour. He has been unexpectedly and tragically forced off the road and onto a long, uncertain path to recovery,” his management’s statement on GoFundMe reads. “We are asking for financial help in this difficult time from his family, friends, and fans. Without insurance or touring income, Matthew faces an enormous financial burden.”
As of Thursday, October 24, nearly $342,000 has been raised of the $400,000 goal. Big names including Judd Apatow, John Mayer, Jim Parsons and more have all been listed as contributors.
It is a tough road ahead for Sweet, his management explained.
“The doctors and hospital care in Toronto were instrumental in saving Matthew’s life, but health care is not free for Americans in Canada. He must now be flown back to the States on an ambulance transport plane with medical staff on board, to a specialized rehabilitation center, where he will receive around-the-clock care and therapy for six weeks,” the GoFundMe reads.
Singer/guitarist Matthew Sweet performs live at the LP Tour at the Wiltern Theatre on July 20, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. The “Girlfriend” artist suffered a stroke while on tour with Hanson in October 2024.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images
“He will then require months of treatment and rehabilitation that we hope will lead to a full recovery. Needless to say, the costs for all of this treatment will be overwhelming. We anticipate a total close to a quarter of a million dollars,” the message continued. “Your thoughts, love, and support will mean the world to him. But please donate financially if you possibly can. Matthew will be forever grateful to you.”
Sweet, who had been alternating with Phantom Planet opening up for Hanson this tour, was replaced by John Calvin Abney following the tour’s Toronto dates.
Taylor, 41, gave a shout-out to Sweet during the band’s October 16 show in New York City and wished him well.
On Wednesday, October 23, Isaac, 43, reminisced via Instagram about the early days of the Underneath:Experience tour with Sweet.
“We were really enjoying him being out on the tour,” the “MMMBop” singer shared.
“We just hope that he can recover fully. it’s a really intense and scary thing, so pray for him,” Isaac implored his followers. “He’s a good man, he’s a very kind man, and he’s very talented.”