http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060418/music_nm/lee_dc_1


Love's Arthur Lee battling leukemia

By Jonathan Cohen Tue Apr 18, 1:17 PM ET

NEW YORK (Billboard) - Love frontman Arthur Lee is battling acute
lymphoblastic leukemia, according to a post from Los Angeles-based club
booker Liz Garo on noted Love fan site LoveWithArthurLee.com

http://www.lovewitharthurlee.com/


Lee has undergone three weeks of chemotherapy but continued treatment and a
possible bone marrow transplant are looming.

As Lee is uninsured, friends are organizing a Los Angeles benefit concert
for late May or early June. Garo says such venues as the Avalon, Disney
Hall, the Greek Theater and the El Rey Theater are in consideration and that
Calexico, Cake and X have been contacted to participate.

"We are looking for artists to perform a few of Arthur's songs that capture
the spirit and magic of Arthur Lee and Love," Garo writes.

Highlighted by the 1967 masterpiece "Forever Changes," Love crafted some of
the most celebrated rock'n'roll of the psychedelic rock era. But its legacy
languished in the ensuing years due to Lee's unpredictable behavior and
prison stint on a weapons violation.

After being released from jail in late 2001, Lee assembled a new version of
Love that enjoyed success touring in Europe and North America, often playing
"Forever Changes" in its entirety.

Last summer, Lee's backing band, Baby Lemonade, announced it would no longer
perform with him, citing the "steady decline" of his "mental and physical
health." In recent months, Lee had assembled a new backing group from his
new home base of Memphis.

But according to Garo's post, "Baby Lemonade is available to back up any
singer" at the benefit "and there will be a string section as well."

Reuters/Billboard