Kansas is taking a break from touring as Ronnie Platt undergoes treatment for thyroid cancer. The singer recently revealed his diagnosis on Facebook, assuring fans that it's "just a bump in the road."
"Before everyone gets all excited, it has a 99% survival rate, it has not spread," he wrote. "It’s contained to my thyroid. I just have to have my thyroid removed. Go through some rehab time and be right back in the saddle."
I sincerely appreciate everyone’s positive thoughts and prayers," Platt continued. "I have some absolutely amazing people going to bat for me!! as it has been put to me, this is just a bump in the road and will be behind me very soon! So everyone please CARRY ON!"
The band rescheduled a couple shows for later this year but were forced to cancel upcoming concerts in New Orleans on February 21 and Lake Charles, Louisiana on March 1.
"Our goal is to be back on the road as soon as possible," assistant band manager J.R. Rees said in a statement. "Right now, we're all focused on supporting Ronnie through this." Their next scheduled show is April 4 in Ivins, Utah.
Platt has been fronting Kansas since 2014, after longtime vocalist Steve Walsh announced his departure. He's recored two albums with the band: 2016's The Prelude Implicit and 2020's The Absence of Presence.