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Mastodon manager Nick John diagnosed with cancer

By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 5 September 2018

Mastodon have commented publicly for the first time after their manager Nick John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The band recently cancelled their entire North American tour, just days before it was due to begin, “due to a critical situation of a member of the Mastodon family”. That person, it now emerges, is John.

“The most kind and beautiful being is in need of very strong amazing vibes more than ever”, wrote guitarist Brent Hinds on Instagram yesterday. “My friend and manager [Nick John], who is mainly responsible for Mastodon’s success, has been stricken with pancreatic cancer and has been fighting so hard that he is withering away and taking a little bit of me with him”.

Drummer Brann Dailor added in his own post: “Help send all the power and love of the universe to our dear friend and manager Nick John. I don’t know where Mastodon would be without him. He is absolutely integral to the success we have achieved as a band not to mention one of the best people you’d ever hope to meet. We all deeply love and care for him. Send your love his way. Thank you”.

The cancelled tour, due to start last Saturday, was set to be a co-headline outing with Dinosaur Jr. They quickly announced a new set of dates without Mastodon, which will begin on 10 Sep.

John is an artist manager at Rick Sales Entertainment, which also has bands like Slayer and Ghost on its roster.