Mars Williams has died at the age of 68.
It was reported that the renowned saxophonist died on Monday morning from ampullary cancer – a rare disease that he was diagnosed with about a year ago.
His family shared a statement saying he was “surrounded by family and friends” at the time of his death.
The musician was diagnosed with ampullary cancer in December 2022, according to the GoFundMe campaign his family set up to cover treatment costs.
His loved ones issued a statement on the matter to announce his tragic death and share that he had spent the last six weeks doing what he loved most: “touring night after night” with the Psychedelic Furs.
RIP: Mars Williams passed away Monday morning at the age of 68 after a years-long battle with ampullary cancer
According to the Mayo Clinic, ampullary cancer is a rare form of cancer that forms in an area of the digestive system called the ampulla of Vater.
He was best known as a member of the short-lived punk new wave band The Waitresses from 1980 to 1983.
He also played saxophone for The Psychedelic Furs for about six years in the ’80s before rejoining the group in 2005.
“Dear friends,” the statement began. “It is with great sadness that we send this message to inform the many people who loved and supported Mars Williams that he passed away today after his years-long battle with cancer.”
His loved ones shared that at the time of his death, Williams was “surrounded by family and friends, both personal and around the world, who held him close and loved him deeply.”
“Mars’ inexhaustible humor and energy, as well as his love of music, drove him forward until the end,” it continues.
The statement also revealed that over the summer
“When it became clear in late summer that his treatment options were running out, he decided to spend six weeks of his remaining time as he had done since he was a teenager – night after night on the streets performing.”
Remembering Mars: His family shared a statement saying he was “surrounded by family and friends” at the time of his death
Talented saxophonist: He was best known as a member of the short-lived punk new wave band The Waitresses from 1980 to 1983. He also played saxophone for The Psychedelic Furs for about six years in the ’80s before rejoining the group in 2005
“Goodbye the greats”: His rock band shared a heartbreaking post about their late bandmate
“These final performances with the Psychedelic Furs will live on alongside all the other incredible contributions Mars made as a person and as a musician, and that boundless energy will continue to inspire,” the statement said.
Williams’ family and friends also said they will plan a celebration of life for Williams, “someone who was a hero to so many.”
According to the GoFundMe set up by the Williams family earlier this year, he was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer, ampullary cancer – “in which a tumor develops near the bile duct and pancreas” – in late December 2022.
He underwent major surgery the following month and remained in the hospital for three weeks recovering from the surgery.
In March, he began six months of chemotherapy, which he completed in September.
“Despite these challenges, his attitude is completely optimistic and he is approaching this like he does everything else in his life – head on,” said the statement he wrote earlier this year.
In 1955, Williams was born in Evanston, Illinois – where he played the clarinet in his youth and later studied jazz at DePaul University.
He eventually moved to New York City and began playing with The Waitresses for three short years and eventually The Psychedelic Furs.
On tour: His family said he spent the last six weeks doing what he loved – touring and performing with his band The Psychedelic Furs
The latter group made music and toured together from 1983 to 1989 before disbanding.
In 2005, Williams reunited with the group and four years later spoke in an interview with Penny Black Music about how they “put our grudges behind us” to get the band back together.
“I returned to the Furs in 2005,” he told the outlet. “We were all older. We’ve been friends for so long. “We have put our resentments behind us.”
He added that he “enjoyed” being with his bandmates again and performing with the group.
In his decades-long career, he also played with the Grammy-nominated jazz-funk group Liquid Soul for approximately 20 years and performed and recorded with artists such as Billy Idol, Jerry Garcia and The Killers.