How a health crisis reunited a fractured punk rock dynasty
In short: After years of public disputes and a second departure, Blink-182's reunion wasn't sparked by a business deal, but by a battle with cancer. Discover how a life-threatening diagnosis forced a legendary trio to settle old grievances and reclaim their throne.
The reunion of Blink-178 was far from certain. Following guitarist Tom DeLonge's second departure from the group in 2015, the band continued with Matt Skiba, releasing albums like California in 2016. While drummer Travis Barker and bassist Mark Hoppus maintained their partnership, the rift with DeLonge remained a significant source of tension, exacerbated by DeLonge's increasing focus on non-musical interests like UFOs.
A diagnosis of a rare lymphoma for Hoppus in 2021 triggered their reunion. During his chemotherapy, DeLonge emerged as a primary source of support, with the two communicating frequently until Hoppus was declared cancer-free later that year. This period of shared vulnerability led to a secret meeting between the original trio to resolve lingering disputes and finalize DeLonge's return.
The resulting ninth studio album, One More Time..., released on October 20, 2023, serves as a sonic chronicle of this period. Recorded largely at Barker's Woodland Hills studio, the project features lyrics that grapple with mortality, such as the track 'You Don't Know What You've Got,' which directly addresses Hoppus's cancer battle. The album also honors the band's history, featuring the track 'Terrified,' which originated as a demo from the era before the band's reformation.
Commercially, the comeback was a massive success. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, fueled by 101,000 copies sold in its first week. The single 'One More Time' became a record-setting juggernaut, spending twenty consecutive weeks at number one on the Alternative Airplay chart, tying the longest reign in the chart's history.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: One More Time...
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