Country Singers Who Have Had Cancer

Updated April 22, 2024 39.2K views 25 items

Unfortunately, there are many country singers with cancer or who have had cancer. Cancer is not a disease that discriminates based on status and success and country stars with cancer sometimes use their diagnosis to educate others. Country singers with cancer come in many forms. Some famous country musicians who survived cancer caught the disease early while other country singers who died from cancer were diagnosed at stage four. A few famous country singer cancer survivors now help others suffering from the disease.

Who will you find on this top country singers with cancer list? Olivia Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and revealed that she is facing the disease once again in 2017. Kenny Rogers retired from the music business after being diagnosed with skin cancer. Roger Miller was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1991 and died a year later. Other famous country singers who have had cancer include Sheryl Crow, Freddy Fender, and Dan Seals.

Are you surprised that so many famous country musicians have fought cancer? Take a look at this list and learn more about various forms of cancer.

Photo: John Shearer/Contributor / Getty Images Entertainment
Kenny Rogers
In 2017, Kenny Rogers retired from the music business after being diagnosed with skin cancer at the age of 78.
Source
More Kenny Rogers
- Dig Deeper...The Best Kenny Rogers Songs of All Time
- And Deeper...320 Famous Leo Celebrities
- #71 of 556 onThe 250+ Best Singers Of All Time, Ranked
Photo: elviskennedy / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow believes that stress was a factor in her breast cancer diagnosis. She has been cancer free for over ten years.
Source
More Sheryl Crow
- Dig Deeper...The Best Sheryl Crow Songs
- And Deeper...Famous Accordionists
- #965 of 1,285 onThe Most Beautiful Women Of All Time
Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use
Chris LeDoux
In 2005, Chris LeDoux passed away as a result liver cancer at the age of 56.
Source
More Chris LeDoux
- #85 of 243 onThe Top Country Artists of All Time
- #32 of 50 onWho's The Most Famous Musician From Every State?
- #82 of 127 onThe 125+ Best Classic Country Artists Of All Time, Ranked
Photo: whittlz / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Levon Helm
The Band musician Levon Helm passed away as a result of throat cancer in 2012. He had been fighting the disease since the '90s.
Source
More Levon Helm
- #7 of 69 onFamous Film Actors From Arkansas
- #471 of 556 onThe 250+ Best Singers Of All Time, Ranked
- #219 of 320 onThe 300+ Best Rock Singers Of All Time, Ranked
Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Public domain
Hank Thompson
In 2007, Hank Thompson passed away from lung cancer at the age of 82.
Source
Photo: 7th Street Theatre / flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Joey Feek
Joey + Rory musician, Joey Feek, passed away in 2016 as a result of cervical cancer. She was 40 years old.
Source
Photo: Thomas Hawk / flickr / CC-BY-NC 2.0
Freddy Fender
In 2006, Freddy Fender passed away at the age of 69 after losing his battle with lung cancer.
Source
More Freddy Fender
- Dig Deeper...TV Actors from Texas
- And Deeper...Popular Film Actors from Mexico
- #101 of 370 on340+ Uncircumcised Celebrities
Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use
Roger Miller
Roger Miller was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1991. He died approximately one year later at the age of 56.
Source
More Roger Miller
- #478 of 1,150 onThe Greatest Musical Artists of All Time
- #62 of 243 onThe Top Country Artists of All Time
- #30 of 127 onThe 125+ Best Classic Country Artists Of All Time, Ranked
Photo: olebrat / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. In 2017, she revealed that she is facing the disease once again, stating in a message to fans:

"Your prayers and well wishes have truly helped me, and continued to lift my spirits. I’m feeling great and so look forward to seeing you soon!"
Source
More Olivia Newton-John
- #49 of 227 onThe Most Trustworthy Celebrities In The World
- #91 of 1,285 onThe Most Beautiful Women Of All Time
- #127 of 439 onThe Most Beautiful Women In Hollywood
Photo: rowelbg / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Randy Owen
Alabama musician, Randy Owen, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010. The singer stated:

"The thing that meant the most to me was all the people around the world who were praying for me. I don’t know how much more of a boost you can get. First of all, to know that people cared about you, and second, to know that prayer gets answers."

Source
More Randy Owen
- #98 of 210 onThe Best Male Country Singers of All Time
- #13 of 30 onThe Best Country Singers with Raspy Voices
- #56 of 61 onWho Is The Most Famous Randy In The World?

Photo: matt knoth / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley passed away from skin cancer in 2016 at the age of 89.
Source
More Ralph Stanley
- #211 of 243 onThe Top Country Artists of All Time
- #8 of 79 onThe Greatest Banjo Players of All Time
- #9 of 63 onThe Best Banjo Players in the World
Photo: Metaweb (FB) / CC-BY-SA
Ray Price
In 2013, Ray Price passed away as a result of pancreatic cancer at the age of 87. In his final Rolling Stone interview, the singer stated:

"I just like what I've done and how it's worked out, and it's been great. I haven't lost my voice, thank God for that."

Source
More Ray Price
- #76 of 243 onThe Top Country Artists of All Time
- #44 of 127 onThe 125+ Best Classic Country Artists Of All Time, Ranked
- #51 of 210 onThe Best Male Country Singers of All Time
Photo: justin.holton / flickr / CC-BY-NC 2.0
John Prine
John Prine is now cancer free after being diagnosed with the disease twice in the past 20 years.
Source
More John Prine
- #331 of 1,150 onThe Greatest Musical Artists of All Time
- #106 of 205 onThe Greatest Rock Songwriters Of All Time
- #174 of 210 onThe Best Male Country Singers of All Time
Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use
Dan Seals
Dan Seals passed away in 2009 due to complications with cancer at the age of 61.
Source
More Dan Seals
- #163 of 243 onThe Top Country Artists of All Time
- #97 of 210 onThe Best Male Country Singers of All Time
- #82 of 86 onThe Best Soft Rock Bands of All Time
Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use
Eddie Rabbitt
Eddie Rabbitt passed away due to complications with lung cancer in 1997. He recorded his final album, BEATIN' THE ODDS, the year before his death.
Source
More Eddie Rabbitt
- #80 of 243 onThe Top Country Artists of All Time
- #58 of 127 onThe 125+ Best Classic Country Artists Of All Time, Ranked
- #69 of 210 onThe Best Male Country Singers of All Time
Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use
Skeeter Davis
In 2004, Skeeter Davis passed away as a result of breast cancer at the age of 72.
Source
Photo: Metaweb (FB) / CC-BY
Mel McDaniel
In 2011, Mel McDaniel passed away as a result of cancer at the age of 68.
Source
Photo: jus10h / flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Holly Dunn
In 2016, Holly Dunn passed away as a result of ovarian cancer at the age of 59.
Source
Photo: Cybergrass / Via Pinterest
Dawn Sears
Time Jumpers musician, Dawn Sears, passed away in 2014 following a two-year-long battle with lung cancer. She was 53 years old.
Source
Photo: Denise Mattox / Flickr
Wade Hayes
Wade Hayes is now cancer-free after being diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2011.
Source
More Wade Hayes
- #35 of 45 onThe Best Country Singers with Deep Voices
- #44 of 50 onThe Best Country Singers of the '90s
- #26 of 56 onThe Best Country Singers From Oklahoma

Photo: music.yahoo.com / Via Pinterest
Kevin Sharp
In 2014, Kevin Sharp died due to cancer at the age of 43. He was first diagnosed with cancer as a teenager.
Source
Photo: janeyhenning / flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Bonnie Brown
The Browns musician, Bonnie Brown, passed away as a result of lung cancer in 2016. She was 77 years old.
Source
Photo: USAG-Humphreys / flickr / CC-BY 2.0
Eddie Montgomery
Eddie Montgomery was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010. The cancer was discovered early and by 2011 he was cancer free.
Source
Photo: Royalbroil / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Jim Ed Brown
In 2015, Jim Ed Brown passed away as a result of cancer at the age of 81.
Source
More Jim Ed Brown
- #199 of 243 onThe Top Country Artists of All Time
- #102 of 127 onThe 125+ Best Classic Country Artists Of All Time, Ranked
- #128 of 210 onThe Best Male Country Singers of All Time
Photo: Gracenote
Toby Keith
Toby Keith, the renowned country singer known for hits like "Red Solo Cup" and "Should Have Been a Cowboy," has passed away at the age of 62 on Feb. 5 after bravely battling stomach cancer.
Source
More Toby Keith
- Dig Deeper...The Best Toby Keith Songs
- And Deeper...Musicians You May Not Know Are Republican
- #20 of 243 onThe Top Country Artists of All Time

Joey Feek

Bonnie Brown

Eddie Montgomery