guitar lightnin lee

Leroy 'Guitar Lightnin' Lee' Williams has been diagnosed with cancer, according to his friend, bandmate and manager Paul Artigue.

(Photo by Edgar Mata)

Guitar Lightnin' Lee has been diagnosed with cancer, according to his friend, drummer and manager Paul Artigues.

The news that the New Orleans blues guitarist was battling the disease first emerged over the weekend when a GoFundMe page began circulating on social media. The page, Artigues said, will directly benefit Guitar Lightnin' Lee, whose real name is Leroy Williams. Williams' niece created the page for her uncle.

Artigues said in a text message that Williams has a stage 3 lung cancer, but his doctor is optimistic a tumor in his lung can be shrunk.

The money raised through the GoFundMe will help Guitar Lightnin' Lee with the medical costs his health insurance doesn't cover, Artigues said.

"The insurance is not covering everything," he said, "so it's making sure he can get the treatment he needs when he needs it."

Guitar Lightnin' Lee was born in the 6th Ward but grew up in the Lower 9th, according to an interview he did with music writer Alison Fensterstock for The Times-Picayune.

"We were all little busboys or porters back then, in the '50s," he said. "And I met this friend from Eunice, La. -- Murphy Washington. Him and his brother, Ray, had guitars, and they loved Jimmy Reed. They started teaching me Jimmy Reed songs, and that's how it all began."

Guitar Lightnin' Lee and the Thunder Band re-ignite classic Louisiana blues Guitar Lightnin' and the Thunder Band close out the Lagniappe Stage at 5:15 p.m. today.

Many years later, Guitar Lightnin' Lee met Artigues, and the pair hit it off. They carved out the Thunder Band, which draws inspiration from punk, R&B, blues, swamp-pop and various things in between.

Additional benefits have also been planned, including one for Saturday (Jan. 21) at Poor Boy's Bar, 1328 St. Bernard Ave. Music begins at 5 p.m. with the Big Box Band, Ernie Vincent with Guitar Lightnin' Lee's Thunder Band, the Planchettes, Liquor & Lies and Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. T-shirts and food will also be available for purchase. Additional details are available on Facebook.

Artigues said Guitar Lightnin' Lee might play a little because his band will be on stage, but it'll depend on how he's feeling that day.

"He's taking a little time off," Artigues said. "He's not feeling 100 percent, so when he performs he likes to be 100 percent."

Note: This story has been updated to reflect a clarification of Guitar Lightnin Lee's current state of health.