Musician and Grammy-winning producer Linda Perry. - 4 Non Blondes' lead singer battles breast cancer.
In 1992, Linda Perry, aged 59, and her band 4 Non Blondes rocked the world with their hit song, 'What's up?'. However, a life-changing event took place over 30 years later, as she revealed in her recent documentary, 'Linda Perry: Let It Die Here'. She disclosed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer three years before. Initially, her medical prognosis was just a few months.
This shocking news hit Perry when she was in the midst of filming her documentary, which made its debut in the US lately. In 2021, she made a decision to go under knife for a breast reduction surgery. During the processes leading up to the operation, a routine check-up exposed cancer in her breast. "My doctor told me that I had a type of cancer which usually only allows survival for six months to maybe two years," Perry confessed in the film.
Double Mastectomy as her Savior
In the midst of this dire diagnosis, Perry notified director Don Hardy. She also decided to continue filming, saying, "Let's just continue filming." Afflicted with limited treatment options for this specific cancer, Perry opted for a double mastectomy without hesitation. She had both breasts removed and herself saved by this life-saving measure. "I'm incredibly fortunate because there are many women deprived of this opportunity," she declares today.
Rising and Shining as a Songwriter-Producer
Following the breakup of 4 Non Blondes, equivalent to the disbandment of the band in 1995, Perry turned to pursuing a career as a solo singer. However, it didn't quite work out as planned. Instinctively, though, she found success in songwriting and producing other artists. She displayed a natural flair for these areas. Sensations like Faith Hill or Christina Aguilera would soon experience Perry's emotional resonance. In 2003, she even launched her own record label and signed a then-unknown British singer, James Blunt, as her first artist. And this was just the start of her collaborations. She made songs with Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Adele, Dolly Parton, and Céline Dion, for whom she penned the chart-topping song, 'My love'.
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After her successful career with 4 Non Blondes, Linda Perry was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. Despite the grim prognosis, she chose to undergo a double mastectomy as a life-saving measure, which she believes was not an option for many women. In New York, where she was filming her documentary, Perry continued to work despite her diagnosis, showcasing her resilience and strength. Winning a Grammy Award for her production work with other artists, such as Christina Aguilera and Adele, Perry continues to make a significant impact in the music industry, decades after the breakup of 4 Non Blondes.
