Tom Dumont, guitarist of the famous ska band No Doubt, revealed to his fans on Saturday that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a few weeks before the band begins its residency in Las Vegas.
A ska band is a musical group that performs a genre originating in Jamaica in the late 1950s, characterized by an upbeat tempo, prominent horn sections (saxophones, trumpets, trombones), and syncopated guitar or piano rhythms.
Dumont posted a video on Instagram explaining that he started noticing symptoms years ago, which led him to see a doctor and a neurologist. A series of tests led to the diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson’s, he said.
“It’s been a struggle,” he said. “It’s a battle every day, and I’ll be recording another video with details about what Parkinson’s entails. The good news is that I can still play music, I can still play the guitar. I’ve been doing very well.”
The guitarist thanked other people for speaking so openly about his health, as they have helped inspire him to talk about his own diagnosis. This helps reduce stigma and is important for raising awareness, Dumont said.
No Doubt, fronted by singer Gwen Stefani, reunited in recent years and will perform at the Sphere venue in Las Vegas from May 6 to June 13. Stefani is expected to be the first woman to headline the bill at this venue.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that progresses over time and affects movement, according to the Parkinson Foundation. Typical symptoms include tremors, stiffness, and balance problems that may worsen as the disease progresses.
Several public figures have spoken openly about their Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, including actor Michael J. Fox. The Back to the Future star testified alongside boxer Muhammad Ali in 2002 to push for increased funding for medical research through the National Institutes of Health.
Both urged Congress to invest in research into the causes and treatments of Parkinson’s, although it was Ali’s wife, Lonnie, who spoke on his behalf. Ali was diagnosed with the disease in 1982, just a year after hanging up his gloves and retiring.
Fox was at the peak of his career in 1991 and was rolling Doc Hollywood when you started experiencing symptoms. He revealed his diagnosis seven years later in an interview with People magazine, while his series Spin City was being transmitted.
Fox has a foundation dedicated to Parkinson’s disease awareness, research and education, while continuing to fight the side effects of the disease. He has continued to act both on screen and provide his voice, and most recently appeared as a guest star on Shrinking of Apple, along with Harrison Ford and Jason Segel.
