Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes recently shared an update on his health, announcing that he has completed his radiation therapy and expressing gratitude to his fans and former bandmate Blackie Lawless in a video posted on Instagram.
Holmes, who has been battling prostate cancer, detailed his recent treatment and thanked those who supported his GoFundMe campaign.
“Hey everybody out there, this is Chris Holmes,” he said. “I’m going to give you an update on my health since last time, which is, I don’t know, about a month and a half ago. I just finished eight weeks of radiation therapy. And everything’s under control, okay?”
Holmes went on to express his appreciation for the financial and emotional support he received, saying, “Now, I have to thank the fans for sharing the GoFundMe. I have to thank the people who donated for me. Thank you. You gave me a lease on life, longer lease. I appreciate it very much. Without that, I don’t know what I would have— probably the thing could have spread. Who knows? But thank you very, very, very much. I love all the messages everybody gave me. It makes me feel good for my heart, all the messages everybody sent me, okay?”
“Now listen, I have to thank Blackie for sharing my GoFundMe on his pages to all the W.A.S.P. fans because I wouldn’t have gone out to them without him,” he added. “I appreciate that very, very much, okay?”
“Now listen, in October, around Halloween, I’ll be at the Chiller Theater,” Holmes concluded. “It’s in New Jersey signing autographs for everybody at the Chiller Theater. And I plan on coming back in 2027 and playing in my new band Holmes. I still got Mean Man, and be good. I also got another thing that I’ve been working on next month. That is going to come out probably Terminal, but who knows about that. That’s going to come out next year too. Thank you very much.”
This update marks a significant step forward after months of treatment, and it follows a broader wave of support that began with the fundraiser itself. The campaign was launched by Holmes’ wife and manager, Catherine Savean Holmes, after he began radiotherapy in France for prostate cancer. The fundraiser was created to cover medication, medical exams, and transportation, with a goal of €50,000 (roughly $57,000).
Holmes has lived in France with his wife since 2014, and the 68-year-old guitarist began treatment there shortly after his diagnosis was made public. The campaign noted that the treatment is essential and cannot be interrupted, which is why the support of fans became so important to him.
Holmes’ update also came after Blackie Lawless publicly urged W.A.S.P. fans to support him. Lawless asked fans to “support” and “honor” Holmes, saying the former guitarist was in “a serious fight.” That public gesture carried extra weight given the two musicians’ long and difficult history.
Holmes was one of W.A.S.P.’s original guitarists, and he later returned to the band for reunion periods, though his relationship with Lawless has often been described as strained following his exit from the group. He recently began treatment in France while living there with his wife, and the fundraiser was meant to help cover the costs of care that are not fully covered locally.
He remains active musically and has been tied to new projects under the Holmes name. Holmes was born on June 23, 1958 in Glendale, California, and he has continued to release new music in recent years. His planned Chiller Theater appearance and future return with his band suggest he intends to keep performing as he recovers.
