The singer underwent emergency surgery to remove a tumor, as well as rounds of radiation and chemotherapy treatments
Michael Bolton spoke about putting up a fight against brain cancer in his first major interview since undergoing emergency surgery to remove a tumor more than a year ago.
“I want to keep going,” the 72-year-old singer told People. “I feel there’s still a lot to do on the fight side. I got a title for a song: ‘Ain’t Going Down Without a Fight.’”
Bolton was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive kind of brain cancer, in late 2023, and underwent emergency surgery not long after. A second surgery followed in January 2024 to address an infection, after which Bolton underwent radiation and chemotherapy, with the treatments finally ending last October.
Doctors were able to remove Bolton’s tumor entirely, and subsequent MRIs have confirmed it has not yet returned, though he has to remain vigilant as glioblastoma has a high recurrence rate. Bolton’s treatments have also affected his short-term memory, speech, and mobility, but the singer is as determined as ever to live as fully as possible: He golfs, meditates, spends time with his family, exercises, and, of course, sings — taking vocal lessons and doing voice therapy.
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“You’re reaching into your resources and your resolve in a way that you never would have thought,” Bolton said. “Succumbing to the challenge is not an option. You’re really quickly drawn into a duel. I guess that’s the way you find out what you’re made of.”
Bolton has pointedly asked his doctors to not give him a prognosis on his brain cancer, choosing instead to remain hopeful. “I find comfort in general more easily,” he said, adding that the experience has given him “a heightened sense of appreciation. It’s unthinkable for it to be okay not to make the most of your life. I think we develop capabilities and problem management, and we learn how to make the best out of a bad situation. You have to be a cheerleader for yourself.”