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If I hadn't have had insurance, I probably wouldn't be here today. So I can't stress this enough, especially with musicians because we're chronic in our inability to take care of ourselves, but everyone needs to have health insurance. Musicians typically don't have insurance plans because it's not really a part of the whole rock 'n roll dream... But the fact is that you have to – you're gonna need it sooner or later and often times when you least suspect it
-Wally Ingram |
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Photo by Kayceman :: European Stockholm Syndrome Tour - 2004
"That was a night to remember, man," says Eric McFadden. "It was one of the greatest events I've ever been a part of, if not the greatest. It was pretty cool to see all these people get together for this guy, but you gotta remember... we're not talking about just any guy here. Most anybody who's ever met Wally loves him. That's what happens when you meet Wally. He just has a way of making everyone around him happier. Wally's got an infectious spirit."
McFadden, Cake (crew) & Ingram :: Stockholm Syndrome
Berlin 2004 By Kayceman |
Ingram's spirit was sorely tested throughout his ordeal, but as a professional musician with health insurance, he knows how fortunate he is. Shortly after getting a gig playing with Tracy Chapman in the early '90s, a friend of Ingram's who worked in the insurance business convinced him to begin automatically re-directing a portion of his paycheck each month to medical insurance.
"The money was taken directly out of my checking account and sent to the insurance company, so I didn't have to even think about it," Ingram remembers. "There was many a time that if I would have had to have written the check myself, it wouldn't have happened. But if I hadn't have had insurance, I probably wouldn't be here today. So I can't stress this enough, especially with musicians because we're chronic in our inability to take care of ourselves, but everyone needs to have health insurance. Musicians typically don't have insurance plans because it's not really a part of the whole rock 'n roll dream and it's certainly not a part of most bands' thought process even if they're doing well. But the fact is that you have to – you're gonna need it sooner or later and often times when you least suspect it. The problem with not having it is that you won't have the opportunity to catch something early on before it becomes a problem. And that could mean the difference between living and dying."
Wally in the hospital |
Even with insurance, Ingram's medical bills are mind-numbingly huge – a result of the experimental, aggressive treatments he received.
"The kind of chemotherapy and radiation treatments that they performed on me were relatively new stuff and really aggressive," Ingram said. "Each one of these treatments was like $10,000 a week just for the medicine, not counting the doctor's fees, hospital stays and all the other doctors and prescriptions I have."
While this weekend's shows at The Independent are aimed at helping to defray some of his hefty medical bills, the shows are also a celebration of sorts for Ingram himself.
"A few weeks back, I met with my surgeon and oncologist and both reported that I appear to be clear of the cancer," Ingram says with a relieved sigh. "The news hit me like a ton of bricks - I don't think I was prepared for someone to tell me that I was okay. I'm still not through this completely – my doctors told me that they have lost people at the same stage I'm at now due to infections or other complications. But things are looking real good. My immune system is getting better and I'm feeling stronger every day."
Laurie & Lydia Ingram |
With his health improving on a daily basis, Ingram's new lease on life hopefully means more music in his future and more stars to meet and shows to see with her Dad for Lydia.
"They did a group photo the other night after sound check at the benefit in L.A. and there were probably 60 or so musicians there. Lydia was up front with me as I was thanking everyone and she just lit up the whole room, man," Ingram says with a hint of pride in his suddenly energized voice. "Everyone just loved her. She loves music. She's got an amazing sense of time and she also does a lot of directing – when she hears music, she kind of floats her hands around in the air along with the music. Maybe she'll be a symphony conductor or orchestra leader or something legitimate. Or she could just be a drum major for the University of Wisconsin marching band like her old man!"
To get updates on Wally's recovery and find out how you can support his fight against cancer, please visit www.wallyingram.com.
Check out Kayceman's exclusive, behind the scenes coverage of Stockholm Syndrome's European tour featuring Wally Ingram on drums.
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