TV on the Radio musician Gerard Smith diagnosed with lung cancer

TV on the Radio's Gerard Smith has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The band's bassist and keyboardist is undergoing treatment, according to a statement, and will sit out the New York group's forthcoming tour. Smith discovered his illness shortly after the completion of the band's new album, the statement said. TV on the Radio are one of the most critically acclaimed acts of recent years and their new album, Nine Types of Light, is due for release on 12 April. The group play the Wireless festival in London in July. "Gerard is fortunate enough to have health insurance and is receiving excellent medical care," TV on the Radio wrote on their website . "Already we have seen dramatic results. Combine that with Gerard's legendarily willful disposition and it might just be cancer that has the problem." Smith joined vocalist Tunde Adebimpe and programmer David Andrew Sitek in TV on the Radio in 2005, contributing to the 2006 album Return to Cookie Mountain and the 2008 follow-up Dear Science. The band took a year off in 2009, after near-constant touring, before reconvening for Nine Types of Light. Two songs from that record, Will Do and Caffeinated Consciousness , are now available. TV on the Radio launch their latest tour, minus Smith, at SXSW on Thursday.