Written by: Geoff Tischman

Charles Bradley is back.

The Florida-born-New York-raised soul singer was diagnosed with stomach cancer in October of 2016, which caused him to cancel a string of live dates.

“I’m getting the best medical care and we are all extremely optimistic,” Bradley said in a statement after his diagnosis. “I will fight through this like I’ve fought through the many other obstacles in my life. My upcoming tour dates will be postponed so I can concentrate on healing. Thank you all for understanding. Music is how I share my love with the world, and the love that my fans have given back brings me so much joy. I look forward to seeing your gorgeous faces soon, and to continue to share my love through music.”

After having the cancerous tumor removed, the 68-year-old Bradley has returned to the stage and at his Brooklyn Bowl show last week he was clearly in fighting shape.

“There’s no one like him,” SEM’s David Porter said. “He’s truly a living legend–a titan on par with the likes of Otis Redding or Aretha Franklin.”

Touring behind his latest album Changes–which includes a cover of the Black Sabbath song of the same name–Bradley and his band The Extraordinaires were soulful and tight.

At the end of the show Bradley sang a song which he dedicated to his mother, then he jumped offstage with a handful of roses and walked into the crowd handing them out and hugging everyone.