Bernie Worrell, keyboardist and founding member of Parliament Funkadelic, is battling Stage Four Lung Cancer. 

In a message posted to Worrell’s Facebook page by his wife and manager Judie, the news was shared, adding that Worrell “wants his album released in his lifetime.” The note also mentions that the family has rejected chemotherapy at this point and that Worrell is undergoing naturopathic treatment. 

Read the full message below.

I have not wanted to share this information with anyone this soon. But, I am being told “people around the world LOVE Bernie, they would help if they knew”. We shall see: Bernie is suffering from 4th Stage Lung Cancer. He wants his album released in his lifetime (if you have not already, please go to the indiegogo page (see Kevin’s posts for the actual URL). Then, we will address trying to find a cure for him. We have rejected chemotherapy (at this point) but he is undergoing naturopathic treatment (for which we are trying to raise money) which does the same but without the toxic chemical stew. There is a man (Dr. James Forsythe in Reno NV) who has, reportedly, had success with late stage cancer patients. PLEASE do NOT start inundating me with methodologies. Dr. Forsythe reportedly uses a combination of naturopathic herbs and supplements AND low dose chemotherapy with cannabis oil. Please say whatever you have to say to whichever Diety/Great Spirit/Allah/God/Jehovah in whom you believe — and should Bernie be appearing somewhere GO SEE HIM…..just don’t talk about this to him. It is totally overwhelming for him and he does NOT want a lot of emotional histrionics. (this is, of course, Judie)

Worrell is best known for his work over the years with Parliament-Funkadelic, first officially joining up with Funkadelic after the release of their first album. Worrell left the band in 1981 but continued to contribute to studio albums. Worrell was recruited to perform and record with the Talking Heads, appearing on such records as Speaking in Tongues, The Name of This Band and their concert film Stop Making Sense.

Worrell recently contributed to the Meryl Streep film Ricki and the Flash, where he performed keyboards in Streep’s fictional band in the film. On recording with Streep, Worrell told the APP, ““The woman is phenomenal, mild mannered. We became real close. She always hugged me and I was surprise because she’s such a star. I gave her my last solo CD (Elevation), just me, myself on acoustic baby grand — it’s kind of meditative music. She came back, ‘Bernie, I love it, thank you so much. You don’t know what this does for me.’ She wanted more copies to give to her friends.”

In the past, the keyboardist has also worked witht he likes of Fela Kuti, Ginger Baker, Mos Def and many others.