Portland Musician Scott McCaughey Suffered a Stroke On Tour

The Minus 5 frontman and former R.E.M. touring member is reportedly in stable condition.

Scott McCaughey opening for the Replacements with Young Fresh Fellows at Crystal Ballroom in 2015. IMAGE: Colin McLaughlin.
By Matthew Singer

Portland-based musician Scott McCaughey, frontman for cult-favorite Pacific Northwest acts the Minus 5 and Young Fresh Fellows and longtime touring member of R.E.M., has suffered a stroke.

Update, 11/20: A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help assist with McCaughey's medical bills. Go here to donate.

According to a post on the Minus 5 Facebook page, the stroke occurred during McCaughey's current West Coast run with singer-songwriter Alejandro Escovedo. He is reportedly in stable condition.

Among the many projects he currently contributes to, McCaughey is a member of Filthy Friends, the Portland supergroup featuring Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker and R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck.

Related: With Filthy Friends, Two of Portland's Most Celebrated Musicians Are Ready to Prove Themselves All Over Again

In a statement, Buck called McCaughey "one of the unsung heroes of rock n roll. A true believer and one of the most creative people I have ever met."

Read the full update below:

Statement from Mary Winzig: Scott McCaughey, the ever-smiling, sunglasses-wearing front man of the bands The Minus 5...

Posted by The Minus 5 on Friday, November 17, 2017

Explore more on:

Filthy Friendsmusic-newsPeter BuckR.E.M.Scott McCaugheythe Minus 5Young Fresh Fellows

Matthew Singer

Matthew Singer

A native Southern Californian, former Arts & Culture Editor Matthew Singer ruined Portland by coming here in 2008. He is an advocate for the canonization of the Fishbone and Oingo Boingo discographies, believes pro-wrestling is a serious art form and roots for the Lakers. Fortunately, he left Portland for Tucson, Arizona, in 2021.

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