Thurston Moore cancels forthcoming book tour due to a “debilitating” health condition

In July 2021, Thurston Moore announced that the book, Sonic Life, was in progress. Speaking to Vulture the previous year, he said: "I’ve always wanted to get involved with a writing project I had in mind for many, many years. [It’s] essaying about music and talking about my own personal experience of being a teenager coming to New York in the ’70s, what the city was at that time, the underground music scene downtown, and the records coming out of this 1976, ’77 and ’78 cavalcade of punk rock, No Wave, New Wave, and post-punk. This downtime period allowed me to do this, so I have this manuscript called Sonic Life that I probably will publish at some point."

Yesterday evening, he announced that the North American dates on the book tour would have to be scheduled due to his health: "It utterly bereaves me to pass on the news that I have been advised by my medical team here in the UK to cancel my upcoming USA book tour. For years I have been dealing with a longstanding health condition, though it has never seriously stopped me from touring and recording," Moore wrote.

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"Regardless it’s always been an underlying issue and as I reach my mid-60s this year it has become rather, and consistently, debilitating. After a recent consultation, my doctors have strongly advised against me flying anywhere under any circumstance until they get it all sorted out."

He goes on to add that the news is "utterly distressing" as the publication of his memoir, along with all of the years of work spent on it, means a great deal to him. "I’ve been looking forward to talking about the book at all the events which had been organised in the weeks ahead," he continued. "Especially as so many event organisers and booksellers have been so supportive in preparing for the shows. I’ll mostly miss being able to share with everyone who purchased tickets to exchange all manner of Sonic Youth storytelling and arcana."

Moore reassures ticket holders that refunds will be issued, and has his "Fingers firmly crossed I have a chance to make it up to you when I’m cleared for travel again", he says, adding that he is "grateful to have such an awesome support system of love and attention at this moment. And to know how much love, respect, and appreciation we all share."