We are sad to report the news that longtime New Riders of the Purple Sage pedal steel player Buddy Cage has been diagnosed with blood cancer. Last week, Cage missed a Rex Foundation benefit due to illness and was hospitalized on Wednesday. Members of the extended Grateful Dead/New Riders family including Mookie Siegel, Barry Sless and Professor Louie filled in for Cage in his absence. According to a statement from the New Riders:

In case you haven’t heard Buddy Cage is in the hospital. He wasn’t feeling well and had some tests run. Unfortunately they found blood cancer. We don’t know much more than that at this point but we’ll keep you all posted. We want to thank for stepping in and helping us out this past weekend.