Blues legend announces retirement following ALS diagnosis
Five-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Marcia Ball has announced her retirement from touring and performing after being diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Ball shared that she will be spending time in treatment and under her doctor’s care, but assured fans she will continue to support the music community, saying she’ll be “out listening to music every chance I get.”
Ball released the following statement:
As many of you may know or have heard, over recent months, I have been struggling with voice issues and have not been able to perform as I have always done. This has been frustrating for me since performing with my band and my musical friends has been my life.
So, I must now share this with my fans and friends: I had a visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN recently, and I have finally received some answers, though not the ones I had hoped for. I have ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), and I need to share that with my family, friends, fans and many music collaborators and associates.
The support I have received from Kurland, my booking agency, my record label, Alligator Records, all the hundreds of venues I have played at over the decades along with the thousands of fans I have met and become friends with over so many years has been a real joy.
It is impossible to predict how this ALS diagnosis will impact my life fully. At this early stage however, I know that performing is something I can no longer do. I can’t sing.
Sadly, I have canceled all the shows I had confirmed for the foreseeable future. The absolute last thing I want to do is to cancel shows. My sincere apologies.
I will be entering a treatment program at UT San Antonio, and I am hopeful that the progression of symptoms is slow to appear. ALS has no known cure at this time, but there are a few drugs that may be prescribed.
My family, circle of friends, and band mates are providing me support as this news sinks in. Adjustments will be necessary but one thing that won’t change is my love and support for the music community, and you can be sure I will be out listening to music every chance I get.
Thank you for your understanding and allowing me the time and space I need to make these unexpected life adjustments.
Ball’s decades-long career has made her one of blues and roots music’s most celebrated performers. Known for her soulful voice, piano mastery, and vibrant live shows, she has been a leading force in American roots music since the 1970s. Her blend of Texas roadhouse boogie, Louisiana blues, and swampy R&B earned her five GRAMMY nominations, 11 Blues Music Awards, and a devoted following around the world.
Prayers for you in your journey. Thanks for the music.
I have been aware of this horrible disease since I saw the movie pride of the Yankees .as a 12 year old kid. I’m 67 now and as far as I know nothing has come to a cure.my God lou gergige died in the late 30 s I believe. That far to long and no cure after what 90 years. I wonder just how effective the medical.system is? Not very.
why don’t you get off your kiester and do something then? you sound like a rhodes scholar!
Or is that a little too much for your pea brain to understabd?
What the hell is wrong with you dude.
You sound like a miserable person.
Don’t listen to people like that. He probably lives a miserable life and won’t get off HIS keister to change it. I agree with you about not finding a cure after almost a century. The same with cancer and every other illness out there. Where does all; the money from donations go? Funny they said they had a vaccine in 2 weeks for COVID but that turned out to be a lie
🙏Prayers
So sorry. We have enjoyed many of your performances over the years.
God bless you, Marcia. Love from the entire Trahey family. We will be praying for you and your family.
Have thoroughly enjoyed your creativity and magnificent voice! Thank you for all your heartfelt contributions over the years. We will keep you in our thoughts as you continue this journey.
Marcia’s music has given us so much joy for so many years, and we are thankful for that. We hope it goes well for her and her family.
Wishing you the best in treatment ànd continue your journey in the music community best wishes 🙏💯🍎
How many Marcia Ball shows we have been too since the Seventies is hard to figure out. From New Orleans to California when she came to play we were there. From Jimmys in New Orleans to the Belly Up in Solana Beach in SoCal her playing soulfulness and the Marcia Ball “ sound” brought a rockin good time to all of us. Let’s send positive vibes that she can beat this.
My father died from complications from ALS. There are no known cures and no “beating this”. Just living out your days in as high of life state as you can.
Prayers for you and your family, Marcia…we’ve enjoyed your shows over the years…you always knew you were in for a good time at your shows, many heartfelt thank you’s! God Bless!
I love seeing you on stage and showing us ladies how women rock too💕. Such an inspiration to us all … you gotta be thee. Sending gratitude respect .
My heart is breaking at the news. Love you so much and am praying for you on your journey. Love your music and all your contributions to the music community and the world. Take care sweetheart. ❤️🙏🥰
Sending light and love to you on this very difficult journey. You have brought so much joy thru your music! Wishing for the best with your treatment.
You have brought so much Joy over the years to me and mine, thank you. May the good lord bless and keep you thru this life.
Marcia,
You are top shelf, lead dawg, better than the best. Your performances are monumental and you are a true champion for so many musical styles over so many decades.
You always offer your own influences for your fans.
The stand you always take for Roland ‘Professor Longhair’ Bird is so admirable. Your Louisiana gigs at Cahoots, The Speakeasy, The Kingfish, Uncle Earls, The White House Inn & Independence Hall will always yell…’Jacka Mo Fee Na Nay!’ We will always love you, and will never forget you. Be Strong! Take your time!
Road Trippin’… Terry Burhans
wchstv.com/community/road-trippin
Devastating news. First knew her with Frida and the Firedogs at the Split Rail decades ago. What a quality human being.
My husband and I loved your music concerts in Tucson. My husband died from ALS back in 2020 and I wish the best for your treatments.
Thank you for the many years of great music. May the disease progress very slowly, leaning you with plenty of time for joy with those you love.
Oh my goodness Ms. Marcia,
Sooooo very sorry for this news Darlin.
Have been so joyously amazed while seeing you perform.
I use to have an AMAZING Musician Lovey. He also was Diagnosed as you.
May your journey be gentle and full of love.
Bless you.
Hatti
Marcia – We have come to see you whenever you were in the Denver, CO area, including this last summer in Aspen Jazz Festival! You never disappoint! You leave us dancing, singing along, and filled with Louisiana joy! We will miss seeing you in person, but will make do with your wonderful recordings. We’re sure you’ll navigate your next chárter with courage, humor, and NOLA sass! Much gratitude and love to you! -Kim & Greg
Marcia – We have come to see you whenever you were in the Denver, CO area, including this last summer in Aspen Jazz Festival! You never disappoint! You leave us dancing, singing along, and filled with Louisiana joy! We will miss seeing you in person, but will make do with your wonderful recordings. We’re sure you’ll navigate your next chárter with courage, humor, and NOLA sass! Much gratitude and love to you! -Kim & Greg
Marcia, you are the best of the best! I have enjoyed every performance from Tulsa to Ft Smith and down to Fort Worth. You are an amazing performer with class that can’t be matched. I cherish the memories and good times. May you be blessed going forward in the manner that you have blessed us with your music.
Saw Marcia in concert in New Irleans years ago. Her talents and singing will be missed.
House of Blues
Remember Marciaappears on the monstrous blues anthology put out a few years ago.
I am so sorry to hear this. Thank you, Marcia, for all the music. Wishing you healing & courage. May the love & energy of those you’ve touched with your music comfort you and your loved ones.
Sorry. The PBS issue
Sing it for your sister… we now make a chorus for your enjoyment and hope our thoughts,feelings and inspirations improve your life moving forward… heath is wealth stay positive on this part of your journey, just be…. I love ya!!
Lucky enough to see Marcia on Delberts Blues Cruises. Always a class act. Best wishes for tge future. Keith Hutton UK Fan.
This news makes your show I attended at The Harvest Music Fedtival in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada even more endearing. God Bless!
All the best moving forward with strength.
A looking time admirer.
Buz ( the cook at the Friend Factory, Bluff Springs Road, Austin 1971
I met you a couple times when you were at the 8 X 10 in Baltimore. You took a little while to talk to me and I really appreciated that. I also saw you in Austin when I spent a year in San Antonio. I was sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You are a class act on and off the stage.
Introduced to your musical talents, years ago, at the Starry Night, Portland, Or. The Antones package shows. Wonderful. Thank you! Believe on Jesus the Christ and as He said often, “do not be afraid” Call on Him, for He is capable only of good. God Bless, Sister
Prayers for Marcia 🙏🏻🙏🏻. This news is something that friends, and fans were not expecting. However, know that we understand, Vinton and Alumni are Praying for You, and Bobby Kimball as well. 💕🙏🏻🙏🏻
Marcia. every Jazz Fest one anticipated your performances that brought the dancers to their feet. You are an inspiration, a breath of what the power of music is and can be. From a native Oregonian your music is the joy of professorial fingers. Your voice resonates through time.
Marcia, you have been and will continue to be an inspiration to all of us who love New Orleans piano. So sorry that you have been dealt this card. I am hoping that the upcoming medical breakthroughs that new technology promises will come through in time to heal what ails you.