Kansas frontman Ronnie Platt announces cancer diagnosis, cancels tour dates

Ronnie Platt, lead singer of the legendary rock band Kansas since 2014, has revealed he has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, leading to the cancellation of several upcoming shows.

Best known for hits like Carry on Wayward Son, Dust in the Wind, and Point of Know Return, Kansas remains a staple in rock history, with their music frequently featured in films and television.

Platt, 64, shared his diagnosis in a Facebook post, maintaining an optimistic outlook. “For all of you asking, Tuesday I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. But before everyone gets all excited, it has a 99% survival rate, and it has not spread. 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,” he wrote. He thanked fans for their support and ended with a nod to the band’s iconic song: “So everyone please CARRY ON.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, thyroid cancer can develop without symptoms, but over time, it may cause difficulty swallowing, voice changes, and swelling in the neck.

Kansas’ assistant manager, J.R. Rees, reassured fans that the band hopes to return to touring soon. “Right now, we’re all focused on supporting Ronnie through this,” Rees told Ultimate Classic Rock. The band echoed this sentiment in a social media post, calling the diagnosis “just a bump in the road.”

Kansas had previously postponed two shows in Oklahoma, originally scheduled for February 14 and 15, pushing them to November. The band has now also postponed their March 1 performance in Lake Charles, Louisiana. “The band apologizes for the inconvenience and hopes to be back on the road soon,” they wrote on Instagram.

Formed as a garage band in Topeka, Kansas, over 50 years ago, Kansas released their self-titled debut album in 1974. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, they spent 200 weeks on the Billboard charts, cementing their place in rock history.