Marianne Faithfull Has Breast Cancer

gldstwmn · #1 09-14-2006, 10:42 AM

http://people.aol.com/people/article...534761,00.html

Singer Marianne Faithfull has breast cancer, her publicist said Thursday.

The singer and actress, who appears in Sofia Coppola's upcoming film Marie Antoinette, discovered a lump in one of her breasts while staying with friends in Paris, her rep, Rob Partridge, tells PEOPLE. The disease was diagnosed on Tuesday.

Faithfull, 59, has postponed her world tour, which was due to kick off next month.

"Obviously she was upset on hearing the news," Partridge tells PEOPLE. "But she is now in a fighting mood. She is coming out fighting."

Faithfull, who lives in Ireland, said in a statement, "I have absolute faith and confidence in my fantastic medical team and of course I will be well again, if not better than ever. Next year's tour, I want to assure fans, will be one big celebration."

"The disease has been quickly discovered by doctors in France," Partridge said in a statement. "The prognosis for a return to full health is excellent. Indeed, Marianne Faithfull is looking forward to playing the re-scheduled tour in 2007."

Faithfull began her music career in 1964 at age 17 and had a hit that year with the Mick Jagger-Keith Richards-penned "As Tears Go By," which the Rolling Stones recorded a year later.

In her 1994 book Faithfull: An Autobiography, which chronicled her career, drug addictions and tumultuous four-year affair with Jagger.

She'd begun dating Jagger when she was just 19 and briefly abandoned her singing career because "it wasn't as important as being with Mick," she told PEOPLE in 1994. But as she spiraled into drug addiction, they split in the late '60s. ''Ours was just a classic parting of ways,'' she said. ''He went in one direction – up – and I went down.''

Faithfull cleaned up, launched an acting career (among other roles, she played God on the British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous) and returned to music, in 1979 releasing the critically acclaimed album Broken English. Her most recent studio album was 2005's Before the Poison.

Partridge tells PEOPLE, "Marianne will be on the road for rest of her life."

Red · #2 09-14-2006, 10:58 AM

Oh no, this is awful!

I guess the good news is that she sounds very positive about a good outcome and I certainly wish her a successful and speedy recovery. I have tickets to see her in November but she certainly is a woman worth waiting for so I don't mind. Get better Marianne!!

tommer · #3 09-14-2006, 12:23 PM

eehhh... marianne can beat any cancer before lunch time, and still have enough energy to write and record 3 songs till dinner (coz afterwards she's got some concerts, filming and other stuff). i'm sure she'll get over it in no time, and wish her much health and courage, in my opinion she's one of the greatest artists of all time (her musical achievements may be rivaled only by stevie nicks.)

chiliD · #4 09-14-2006, 12:34 PM

At least the prognosis is good.

Ok, a little help from Marianne fans.

I LOVED Broken English but never delved any further into her music. Are her subsequent albums similar to that or do they take a left turn from the ground she covered on that one?

xdreamsunwindx · #5 09-14-2006, 01:56 PM

Oh no :[ I hope she's okay, but I agree with what Tommer said - she's a strong lady, she'll be fine in no time. I'm reading her autobiography, "Faithfull," and it's just fascinating. Love her.

foxyluva · #6 09-14-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

I LOVED Broken English but never delved any further into her music. Are her subsequent albums similar to that or do they take a left turn from the ground she covered on that one?

Are you serious? Marianne is one of the great female artists of our time...

Marianne delves into all different styles. Her post "Broken English" stuff is pretty poor (from 1980 - 1999) But the last 3 albums Marianne has released rivals anything she has released, ever:

1999's "Vagabond Ways" was her return to form. The title track is one of my favourite Marianne songs ever. And there is a song called "Reincarnation of A Flower Child" which was written by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd is just the ****ing best. I swear.

2002's "Kissin' Time" is produced by Beck, Blur, Pulp, Billy Corgan, and Dave Stewart - its a different style for Marianne - not really rock - but is arguably the greatest record she ever released.

2005's "Before the Poison" is the last album she released, and this is a return to a more rock style. It is produced by Nick Cave and PJ Harvey, and if you have heard anything by those artists, Marianne's stuff on this album is pretty similar. "Mystery of Love" is my favourite Marianne track ever.

I can send you a few tracks to check out if you wish

goldustsongbird · #7 09-14-2006, 05:47 PM

Aw, I read about this on ONTD. She'll kick cancer's ass for sure.

BombaySapphire3 · #8 09-14-2006, 07:32 PM

I have to concur if anyone has that survival gene to beat the cancer it's Marianne.La nicks could take a lesson from her on how she should manage her career nowadays ie. top 40 airplay be damned.

markolas · #9 09-14-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

Ok, a little help from Marianne fans.

I LOVED Broken English but never delved any further into her music. Are her subsequent albums similar to that or do they take a left turn from the ground she covered on that one?

No, they're mostly not similar to Broken English. But they are all consistently great. If you're only a fan of rock music, you may not like some of it, but if your tastes are broader than that, you'll love it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxyluva

Marianne delves into all different styles. Her post "Broken English" stuff is pretty poor (from 1980 - 1999)

That's certainly a matter of opinion. Her albums since Broken English have all been consistently great. Strange Weather, Blazing Away, and A Secret Life are all brilliant.

markolas · #10 09-14-2006, 07:41 PM

This is certainly a bummer, but she sounds optimistic. If Melissa Etheridge and Sheryl Crow can beat it, she can knock it on its @$$!

foxyluva · #11 09-14-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

That's certainly a matter of opinion. Her albums since Broken English have all been consistently great. Strange Weather, Blazing Away, and A Secret Life are all brilliant.

Of course its an opinion. Everything is opinion. "Dangerous Acquaintances" and "A Childs Adventure" are pretty poor records. "Blazing Away" is a live record, so doesn't really count. "A Secret Life" was a step up from the 80's efforts, but the last 3 albums Marianne released are top notch....

markolas · #12 09-14-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxyluva

Everything is opinion.

I certainly hope not.

Quote:

"Dangerous Acquaintances" and "A Childs Adventure" are pretty poor records.

I haven't heard either of these. Strange Weather, however, is brilliant - every bit as brilliant as Broken English.

Quote:

"Blazing Away" is a live record, so doesn't really count.

It's an album, and a great one. I would certainly encourage anyone who's interested in Marianne's music to check it out.

Quote:

"A Secret Life" was a step up from the 80's efforts, but the last 3 albums Marianne released are top notch....

I've only heard Vagabond Ways and Before the Poison, out of those 3. And they're both great, but not better than Strange Weather. You seem to keep leaving that one out.

Oh, and if you're a fan of Kurt Weill...check out 20th Century Blues and The Seven Deadly Sins.

foxyluva · #13 09-14-2006, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markolas

Strange Weather, however, is brilliant - every bit as brilliant as Broken English. I've only heard Vagabond Ways and Before the Poison, out of those 3. And they're both great, but not better than Strange Weather. You seem to keep leaving that one out.

I can't remember "Strange Weather" - Isn't that another Live album as well?...