Mark Hoppus: Blink 182 bass player’s cancer diagnosis and reunion comments explained - is he writing a book?

Hoppus said it feels like ‘a weight has been lifted off my shoulders’
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After nearly a decade apart Blink-182 have announced they will be reuniting for a world tour in 2023. Tom DeLonge will once again be returning as guitarist, in what will be the band’s first performance together since 2015.

As well as performances in Europe, America and Australia, they also dropped the news that their new song, “Edging” will debut this Friday (October 14) and that an album is in the works.

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Talking about the reunion on his new podcast, Blink 182 bassist Mark Hoppus, has shared that he feels “like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders”. The 50-year-old was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 and is rumoured to have a book about his experience in the works.

So who is Mark Hoppus? Here’s everything you need to know about the Blink-182 bassist.

Mark Hoppus attends the GQ Men of the Year Celebration in West Hollywood, 2021 (Pic: Getty Images)Mark Hoppus attends the GQ Men of the Year Celebration in West Hollywood, 2021 (Pic: Getty Images)
Mark Hoppus attends the GQ Men of the Year Celebration in West Hollywood, 2021 (Pic: Getty Images)

Who is Mark Hoppus?

Hoppus is the bassist of the popular rock band Blink-182. Born in California on 15 March 1972 , he became interested in skateboarding and punk rock music during high school.

He was introduced to Tom DeLonge by his sister in 1992, after he moved to San Diego to study at California State University. The band released their second album Dude Ranch in 1997, with drummer Travis Barker joining in 1999 ahead of their multi-platinum album Enema of the State. The rest is history, with Blink-182 going on to become one of the most popular punk rock bands of the time.

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As well as working in music, Hoppus has also produced tracks for groups such as Idiot Pilot, New Found Glory, and Motion City Soundtrack, and co-owned Atticus and Macbeth Footwear.

Hoppus married his wife Skye Everly in 2000 and the couple have one son, Jack Hoppus who is 20 years-old.

When was Mark Hoppus diagnosed with cancer?

Mark was diagnosed with cancer around March 2021, he announced it on Instagram on 23 June this year. On his Instagram story he explained that he was scared but surrounded by a supportive family and friend circle.

Hoppus posted a snap on his Instagram, as he prepares to undergo further chemotherapy (Picture: Instagram/ Mark Hoppus)Hoppus posted a snap on his Instagram, as he prepares to undergo further chemotherapy (Picture: Instagram/ Mark Hoppus)
Hoppus posted a snap on his Instagram, as he prepares to undergo further chemotherapy (Picture: Instagram/ Mark Hoppus)

He wrote: “For the past three months I've been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. I have cancer.” Adding: "It sucks and I'm scared, and at the same time I'm blessed with incredible doctors and family and friends to get me through this.

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“I still have months of treatment ahead of me but I'm trying to remain hopeful and positive. Can't wait to be cancer free and see you all at a concert in the near future. Love to you all."

Hoppus also posted a picture on his Instagram, where he is in a hospital room. He captioned the shot: "Yes hello. One cancer treatment, please."

Hoppus took to Twitter on 29 September to tell fans he “Just saw my oncologist and I’m cancer free!! Thank you God and universe and friends and family and everyone who sent support and kindness and love.”

He continued: “Still have to get scanned every six months and it’ll take me until the end of the year to get back to normal but today is an amazing day and I feel so blessed. Can I get a W in the chat?”

What has he said about the reunion tour?

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Hoppus has said it was a “burden” to carry around the secret about Blink-182’s upcoming reunion tour. Speaking in his new “After School Radio” podcast on Apple Music he said: “I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. That was a burden to carry that secret for so long.”

He also recalled being asked recently by a fan at a baseball game if there was “any way at all” that a band reunion could be on the cards. Hoppus said: “I’m like, ‘Any way for what?’ He’s like, ‘Is there any chance of a Blink-182 reunion tour with Tom back in the band at all?’

“He had such hope and desperation in his eyes, and I just wanted to put my hand on his shoulder and say, ‘My friend, just you wait. Just wait three, four more days.’

“I should have taken his name and should have just posted it on Instagram, (and) been like, ‘This is for you, Steve! Great idea!’”

Is he writing a book?

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Hoppus has announced that he will be writing a book about his life as a musician in the band Blink-182. Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter he shared “I started writing a book, actually, earlier this year”

Adding: “I’m not that far into it yet but I’m writing a book about my life and experience in Blink and what I’ve gone through over the past year or so. We’re finalising the deal and I’m really happy with the way that’s coming together. I’m excited to tell my story.”

He also reflected on his cancer diagnosis stating: “I didn’t say anything about being sick for the longest time because I was so scared and overwhelmed by the whole thing.”

He continued: “My world got really, really small. Like, I closed down and it was just my family and dear friends that were in my life. I was in the hospital chair for my third chemo session when I accidentally posted it to Instagram. I remember staring at it and people started calling, like my publicist, manager and friends. All of a sudden, it was like, oh, damn, I really screwed it up. But as soon as it got out, there was such an overwhelming outpouring of support and love, not only from the world at large and people on Instagram and Twitter and Discord, but to old friends that I had fallen out with 20 years ago. They came back into my life and, at that point, I felt like I turned a corner. I stopped being so afraid and started feeling like, OK, let’s see how we can get through this by sharing my story.”

The original Blink-182 lineup (L-R) Musicians Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus (Pic: Getty Images)The original Blink-182 lineup (L-R) Musicians Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus (Pic: Getty Images)
The original Blink-182 lineup (L-R) Musicians Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus (Pic: Getty Images)

How can I get tickets for Blink-182 2023 world tour?

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Tickets for Blink-182 2023 tour dates in the UK will go on sale through Ticketmaster, you can find information about tickets here.

There are a variety of presale ticket options available. Blink 182 are holding an artist presale, taking place from 12 October to 17 October on the band’s website at blink182.com, to access the code, fans have to sign up to the Blink-182 newsletter. Presale tickets are also available for those who have 02 Priority or Spotify Presale.

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