Matthew Sweet, Singer of ‘90s Hit ‘Girlfriend,’ Suffers ‘Debilitating Stroke’ as Manager Launches GoFundMe

Mar. 15, 2025

Matthew Sweet.Photo:Matthew Sweet/Instagram

Matthew Sweet/Instagram

Matthew Sweet, known for ’90s hits like “Girlfriend” and “Sick of Myself,” has suffered a “debilitating stroke.”

Russell Carter, who manages the alt-rocker,toldEWthat Sweet experienced the medical emergency on Saturday, Oct. 12.

“Last week, Matthew Sweet was forced to cancel an extensive cross-country tour of both headline dates and opening slots for longtime friends, Hanson after suffering a debilitating stroke in Toronto late Saturday evening (October 12),” his manager Russell Carter in a statement.

Added Carter: “Matthew was quickly admitted to Toronto Western Hospital where he was put into excellent care and taken out of immediate danger. Matthew was transferred to a rehabilitation center back home in Omaha today where he will undergo extensive therapy. He is now on a long, difficult road to recovery.”

Catherine Lyons, who works on Sweet’s management team at Russell Carter Artist Management, created aGoFundMepage to aid in the singer/songwriter’s stroke recovery.

“Matthew Sweet, our longtime inspiration and dear friend, suffered a debilitating stroke this past week in Toronto while in the early days of a national tour,” she wrote alongside the fundraiser. “He has been unexpectedly and tragically forced off the road and onto a long, uncertain path to recovery. We are asking for financial help in this difficult time from his family, friends, and fans. Without insurance or touring income, Matthew faces an enormous financial burden.“She further explained that “health care is not free for Americans in Canada” and Sweet needs “to be flown back to the States on an ambulance transport plane with medical staff on board, to a specialized rehabilitation center, where he will receive around-the-clock care and therapy for six weeks.”

Lyons added that Sweet will need “months of treatment and rehabilitation” and the treatment costs “will be overwhelming.”

“We anticipate a total close to a quarter of a million dollars,” she wrote. “Your thoughts, love, and support will mean the world to him. But please donate financially if you possibly can. Matthew will be forever grateful to you.”

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Matthew Sweet.Ebet Roberts/Getty

Ebet Roberts/Getty

As of publication, over $185,000 has been donated to Sweet’s recovery.

The Nebraska-born musician emerged from the music scene in Athens, Georgia and became an essential voice in the ’90s power-pop revival following the release of his albumGirlfriendin 1991.

Throughout his career, Sweet has released 15 albums — his last full-length release was 2021’sCatspaw.

source: people.com