Jethro Tull 's lead singer , Ian Anderson , revealed in an interview with Dan Rather on the show The Big Interview that he has an incurable lung disease.
“I’m going to tell you something I’ve never revealed publicly before. And since it’s you, I’m going to take this moment to say that I’m suffering from an incurable lung disease that I was diagnosed with a few years ago,” Anderson revealed.
The musician detailed his condition, “I have what are known as exacerbations: periods when I have an infection, it turns into severe bronchitis, and I have maybe two or three weeks of difficulty going on stage and playing. Fingers crossed, but I've had 18 months so far without an exacerbation.”
Furthermore, the musician admits that his days are numbered, but that he is taking medication and that he does well in relatively pollution-free environments.
Regarding the possible causes of this illness, Anderson blames a stage prop: smoke machines. According to him, spending 50 years among them is a significant part of his condition.
Besides the revelation, Ian and Dan talked about Jethro Tull, and the flute as an instrument in rock music.
Below is an excerpt from Ian Anderson's interview with Dan Rather on The Big Interview , where they discussed the flute in rock music:
