Jon Bon Jovi , frontman of one of the most important rock groups of the 80s, Bon Jovi , revealed in an interview during the Pollstar!Live event ( via Louder ), hosted by the entertainment magazine Pollstar, that one of his vocal cords was atrophied. Jon spoke live with the audience during a question and answer session, after receiving an award to celebrate Bon Jovi's 40-year contribution to live music .
“I had major reconstructive surgery on my vocal cords, and I’ve never had anything like it. So it’s been a difficult road, but I found a doctor in Philadelphia who did something called medialization because one of my vocal cords was literally atrophied. And it’s been very difficult this last decade having to deal with something that was out of my control. I’ve been in this rehabilitation, recovering everything, but I’m getting very close,” said the singer.
According to a study published by Columbia University (via MSD Manual ) by Hayley L. Born, an otolaryngologist and neurosurgeon, medialization "consists of moving the vocal fold toward the midline by inserting a spacer graft laterally to the affected fold. This can be done with local anesthesia, allowing the spacer's position to be 'adjusted' for optimal vocal quality."
Fans began questioning Jon's vocal health about two years ago, when the band was performing on the Bon Jovi Tour 2022. At one of the tour's shows in North Carolina (USA), Jon sang off-key during the hit "Wanted Dead Or Alive, " and comments urging the singer to retire flooded the video, which was posted by fans on YouTube. Also during the 2022 tour, in the song "Living on a Prayer ," which calls for Jon Bon Jovi's classic powerful vocals, the singer received assistance from backing vocalists and the band, striving to deliver his best vocal performance.
On February 2nd, Jon performed live at the MusiCares Person of the Year Beneft Gala, alongside singer Bruce Springsteen . At the event, he also launched the band's new single, "Legendary," and took home the Person of the Year award, receiving an enthusiastic speech from the presenters. The MusiCares performance showed Jon with his voice still recovering, but who managed to surpass what he delivered on the 2022 tour, for example. In a video posted by fans on YouTube, one user commented: "Jon has really improved. Happy to see that!" "It seems Jon has regained his charm and energy," wrote another.
Check out the MusiCares performance recorded by a fan:
Bon Jovi in Brazil in 2024
The last time Bon Jovi came to Brazil was in 2019, with a show at Rock In Rio and three more solo shows in Recife, Curitiba, and São Paulo, as part of their " This House Is Not for Sale" . The group has performed in the country five other times since, and according to journalist José Norberto Flesch, the band will be back in Brazil again this year, between September and October, with their 40th-anniversary tour.
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