Written by: Alex Green
The music community was stunned this weekend to hear that Scott McCaughey, the genial frontman of the Minus 5 and the Young Fresh Fellows, had suffered a stroke while on tour with Alejandro Escovedo in San Francisco.
McCaughey, along with Linda Pitmon, Peter Buck and Kurt Bloch were backing Escovedo under the banner of The Burn Something Beautiful Band.
The beloved musician is currently in stable condition and faces a long road to recovery. To help with mounting medical costs and future rehabilitation, a GoFundMe page has been set up by McCaughey’s wife, Mary Winzig.
Winzig updated her husband’s condition on social media this morning:
“I want to take a moment to update you on Scott’s condition. He’s stable and doing well, and still has that McCoi chuckle. Scott is surrounded by the healing powers of music and zombies (nothing will keep him from watching “The Walking Dead”!) — as well as our dearest friends. It means so much to him (and to me!).
It will take a while with therapy before Scott is back 100% — but he will be back. His work ethic and passion will get him there. We’re already seeing some progress, less than a week later. In fact, he’ll be leaving ICU soon!
We’ve opened a post office box in case you want to send Scott a card of encouragement:
Scott McCaughey
P.O. Box 11500
Portland OR 97211
We’re still in San Francisco, but will get your cards to him quickly.
Finally, I wish we had the time to thank each of you personally for your loving messages, your GoFundMe and “With a Gun” support, and your offers to help. Scott and I feel your love and support, and it’s giving him the magic he needs right now.”
McCaughey is one of the most tireless and productive musicians around.
Not only has he played with everyone from R.E.M. to Robyn Hitchcock to M. Ward, he’s also a member of The Baseball Project, Tuatara and The No Ones.
