Ronnie Hawkins Recovery From Cancer

Hawkins doc chronicles struggle with cancer

Singer Ronnie Hawkins is the subject of a new documentary.

The film, which will air Aug. 20 on CTV, follows Hawkins as he stares death in the face after being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer.

Starting with his diagnosis in 2002, filmmaker Anne Pick spent a year and a half tracking the music legend's treatment and miraculous recovery. The result is Ronnie Hawkins: Still Alive And Kickin'.

Hawkins, who came to Canada from Arkansas in 1959, agreed to become the subject of the film after learning of his illness, which seemed a certain death sentence.

"It has been an incredible journey: from the prospect of facing death to an inexplicable new lease on life," said Bob Culbert, the CTV executive in charge of documentary projects. "This documentary is the story of his amazing struggle -- the dark days and the fun times he had as he worked towards recovery."

Hawkins, known for his hearty laugh and all-out rockabilly style, was a fixture of Toronto's music scene for years. He inspired a generation of musicians and was instrumental in forwarding the careers of those who backed him up, including the musicians who would become known as The Band.

Now in apparent good health, Hawkins recently announced that he will be headlining a concert on Aug. 6 to help people affected by the flooding in Peterborough, Ont.