Eva Cassidy’s melanoma
In 1993, Eva was concerned about a small mole on her nose, which she thought looked awful. She went to see a dermatologist who removed it but on closer examination she discovered a larger spot on Eva’s back. Concerned, she advised Eva to have a biopsy, so Eva and her friend Chris Biondo went to Prince George’s County Hospital where Eva underwent a further, lengthier examination. Chris spent many hours in the waiting room until Eva and the doctor finally returned. The doctor then showed them several scans that indicated the patch on Eva’s back was malignant melanoma. The doctor subsequently removed a large strip of skin from Eva’s back, and assured her that the cancerous cells had all been removed, but he also urged her to keep an eye on her health and check in regularly with her doctor. A few weeks later Eva followed up with an appointment with an oncologist to see if the cancer had spread, which wasn’t the case then. Eva made no further such appointments.
Eva Cassidy
Eva thought everything had been taken care of. She moved into a little apartment in Annapolis, Maryland, and continued to sing and record, working at Behnke’s Nursery to earn some money. Eva was very happy in her own apartment with her cats. She told her mother that if she were to die she wouldn’t have any regrets, because she had always been allowed to create.
Eva’s Annapolis apartment
In the summer of 1996 Eva painted some murals in schools for the Haven Studios in Annapolis. She had to get up on a ladder. She noticed her hip was sore all the time and so she went to have an X-ray – they found that her hip was completely severed. Eva was scheduled for a hip replacement, but first had to undergo a series of tests. An X-ray of her chest found the cancer had spread to her lungs. It was all connected to her original cancer. It later turned out to be in her shoulder as well, and this made it difficult for her to continue playing guitar. Nevertheless, Eva continued to go to the recording studio and to record as much music as she could. Eva’s oncologist suggested aggressive treatment. It was felt that this could result in five years of living but that without it, she could have just six months to live. But things got worse and worse. Even the drive to the hospital in Baltimore for treatment was excruciating.
Many visitors came to the hospital and later to the house of her parents. Eva had wonderful friends, there was never a day when someone didn’t come. People sang, played and prayed for her and she was never lonely but loved to the end. On September 16, Eva Cassidy gave her last performance in Washington; she got on the stage with a walker and her last song was ‘What a Wonderful World’. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
Thank you card
On her deathbed Bruce Lundvall, president of Blue Note Records rang and apologised for not signing her. In later interviews he admitted he had made a bad mistake. Eva Cassidy died on November 2 at the age of 33. Her ashes were scattered at St Mary’s River. Eva loved this spot. Southern Maryland is beautiful. Four years later Eva Cassidy’s album Songbird outsold Dido’s No Angel becoming the UK’s number one album, eventually even the best sold album of the year 2001. Eva Cassidy’s posthumous success was repeated in other countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Australia. Songbirds keep singing!
27 responses to “Eva Cassidy’s melanoma”
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I have always found her voice to be hauntingly beautiful and pure. I had no idea that she died from melanoma. I am currently dealing with a bout of melanoma as well…so this hits close to home for me!
I first heard of her reading 50 Shades of Grey where she was mentioned. Curiously I googled her and was introduced to her angelic voice. Her versions of Songbird and Over the Rainbow were out of this world. I’ve since bought a couple albums.
I love this version of the song I stumbled upon while picking songs for my sons celebration. He was 28. It makes me feel peaceful.
Thanks for your life and music.
I am 85 years old and got my first HI FI when I was 12 years old. Been listening to all sorts of music ever since. I do not play and instrument or sing. I did want to be a singer, but never tried to get better. I have had many favorite singers over the years, starting with Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett and pretty much ending with Linda Eder until I heard Eva Cassidy. She had the ability to cover a song and totally make it hers. Amazing how gifted she was. I have purchased every one of her albums and play them all the time. That’s really all I have to say, except THANK YOU EVA.
Eva’s music has seen me and been with me for more than a decade. Her music is such a part of who I am.xx
My brother passed away from melanoma on May 18, 2022.
Song bird was played as we entered the chapel for his funeral service. He loved her music.
i did meet eva cassidy lm a professional saxophonist.she was a beautiful looking woman a stunning voice.its totally heart breaking that eva is no longer here miss her very much
Her version of Linda Ron stats it doesn’t matter anymore is the best ever the best ever
Her version of it doesn’t matter anymore violent around stat actually is the best version I’ve ever heard! What a gifted person she was and I only just recently started listening to her in the last 4 minutes
I founded Eva when I heard her sing Somewhere over the Rainbow, which was my favorite version of the song ever sung, besides Israel Kamakawwiwo’ole and his beautiful gift of the ukulele and expressions of his native Hawaiian islands , he too such a spirit of life gone too soon. Eva sings Kathy’s song like it came from the angels, better then the original version of Simon and Garfunkel, of course my hearts opinion, not to step on any toes, it’s a very personal song to Simon and very sweet to him, I respect that.?
Eva is a songbird…a legacy.
I founded Eva when I heard her sing Somewhere over the Rainbow, which was my favorite version of the song ever sung, besides Israel Kamakawwiwo’ole and his beautiful gift of the ukulele and expressions of his native Hawaiian islands , he too such a spirit of life gone too soon. Eva sings Kathy’s song like it came from the angels, better then the original version of Simon and Garfunkel, of course my hearts opinion, not to step on any toes, it’s a very personal song to Simon and very sweet to him, I respect that.?
Eva is a songbird…a legacy.
You might want to get your facts straight.The mole was on her back.
The facts were straight. She had a mole checked out on her nose, at which point they found the mole on her back
Article said on her nose
No need getting disturbed for such trivial remarks. She did initially go to the doctors for the mole on her nose and they discovered there was a mole on the back. It seems to me they removed a portion for a biopsy but never followed up with Chemo.
Whatever the case this lovely songbird was taken to soon.
My brother Alan who died of AIDS introduced me the Eva Cassidy music a beautiful voice thank you Eva . God bless
I have listened to Eva Casidy’s music for many years, her voice is so pure and crystal with clarity and very deep emotion. She will continue to sing to me forever- her voice is able to directly enter my soul- she is magical. We will keep her music alive- may god bless Eva❤️
Je l’aime, je l’aime, je l’aime…. Elle berce mes journées chaque jours, je l’ai découverte à Londres au hasard d’une rue dans une boutique de nothing Hill en 2000… Elle ne me quitte plus, c’est un ange dans ce monde de dingue…. J’aurais tant aimé croiser ta route… Je t’embrasse Eva… Dom
I first heard Eva at a record shop in London, Ontario in 2000. I was blown away with her voice and have many of her recordings now and listen to them frequently. What an incredible talent to be missed by the music industry in the U.S. So sad.
My wife has a special place in her heart for over the rainbow by julie garland. I googled the song and eva popped up . Eva who i asked .wow best ever version ever.
Wow. Just cant stop listening to her . So sad.
Her rendition of Fields Of Gold gives proof that there is a God. All of this vast space, with thousands of barren and desolate planets, and on one of them, Eva Cassidy, whose voice was like nothing else in the universe. A gift to us all.
A beautiful songbird herself, yes gone too soon but she left a wonderful legacy. I often play Eva’s music and her gorgeous voice is a joy and inspiration to listen too. She blessed us all in so many ways. Thank you Eva,
I believe she is the geatest female vocalist ever. She redefined every song she sang. And a Magnificent guitar player as well. She played and sang from a place so deep in the soul few artists can reach. I only wish she had had more time. She was gone too soon.
Lovely God Bless
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