Vocal Surgery

[Saint John]

I just read that Klaus Meine had vocal surgery in the early 80's (I never knew that.). Besides him and Steven Tyler, what other high profile singers have had surgery to repair their voices? Meine will be 62 when I see him later this year and sounds like he did 40 years ago. This year marks Meine's 41st year with the band. Here's a tidbit from the Meine story:

In 1981, after a world tour and during the recording of the Blackout album, Meine lost his voice so badly he could not even speak properly. Meine was advised by his doctor to consider another profession due to his voice problems. However, Scorpions stuck together and after therapy and vocal cord surgery, Meine's voice recovered.

Again, what major players in the music business have had surgey and has anyone had adverse consequences from it?

[Ehwmatt]

I know I've read about more than these two, I just can't think of any right now...

Burton Cummings had a throat scare 10 years ago or so, he developed some weird shit in his throat, tehy thought it might have been cancer and he couldn't sing any of the songs any more. But, he made some lifestyle changes and was on some kinda medication and it cleared up... don't believe he had surgery.

[Saint John]

Did Elton John have vocal surgery? You'd think with all of that male lubricant cascading down his throat that he could swallow thumb tacks and razor blades and still sound silky smooth.

[Melissa]

I remember seeing a list of singers who had/have nodules, and there were tons of famous ones on there, some had surgery and some didn't. Some names on there were Robert Plant, Rod Stewart, Annie Lenox, Bette Midler, etc. Pretty sure Steve Augeri was on the list too.

[Ehwmatt]

Did Elton John have vocal surgery? You'd think with all of that male lubricant cascading down his throat that he could swallow thumb tacks and razor blades and still sound silky smooth.

The protein fended off the formation of nodes.

I think he did have surgery, maybe late 80s, too lazy to google it now

[Triple S]

Tom Jones (and then they started on his face and haven't stopped since ).

I love Tom Jones

Oh - and JSS - but I'm sure he doesn't fit your 'high profile' criteria

[brywool]

Julie Andrews had the surgery... and it ruined her singing voice. I believe she sued. It was big news for a while.
I don't think she's singing anymore because of that.

Usually people keep quiet about if they've had it. I think Dolly Parton might've had it- OR she was told to shut up like 6 months or something, I can't remember.
Rod had throat cancer and if his appearance on American Idol was any indication, his voice is pretty messed up.

[*Laura]

LOL @ the Elton John post! That's a classic, Dan.

Steven Tyler had one. The spectacular part was that he accepted to make that surgery the subject of a national Geographic documentary, "Incredible Human Machine". Fascinating.

Watch these, lots of talk about vocal stuff, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijp-9f6zgtk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3hlooOjAxE

(I'm guessing that the actual NG documentary is on Youtube as well, but I'm too lazy to find it.)

[brandonx76]

There's a Dr in Phoenix Arizona I used to go to (Ear Nose and Throat) who was nicked named the 'Rock Doc', who's office has a ton (on par with the hard rock cafe) of signed promo pics by various singers, including Aerosmith's Steve Tyler (also saw John Mayer *cough* *boo!!!!* *cough* j/k)...apparently he gets called on to travel to see various singers (I don't think they travel to see him) for throat issues, but from the number of signed pics and the messages that said, he was 'the' guy - just wonder what he's doing living in Phoenix...anyway thought I'd share

[*Laura]

Just remembered that Bonnie Tyler had surgery and it messed up her voice - that's the reason why she sounds so hoarse. But she said she took the positive part out of that experience because that hoarsness made her voice unique, easily recognizable.

[Rip Rokken]

I just read that Klaus Meine had vocal surgery in the early 80's (I never knew that.). Besides him and Steven Tyler, what other high profile singers have had surgery to repair their voices? Meine will be 62 when I see him later this year and sounds like he did 40 years ago. This year marks Meine's 41st year with the band. Here's a tidbit from the Meine story:

In 1981, after a world tour and during the recording of the Blackout album, Meine lost his voice so badly he could not even speak properly. Meine was advised by his doctor to consider another profession due to his voice problems. However, Scorpions stuck together and after therapy and vocal cord surgery, Meine's voice recovered.

Again, what major players in the music business have had surgey and has anyone had adverse consequences from it?

Guess who stood in on vocals during the Blackout sessions while Klaus was recovering?



If his lead vocals were ever recorded, no copies have shown up anywhere, but his background vocals are still intact on the finished album. Not hard to wonder why so many people compare the two singers are sounding kinda similar!

[Rip Rokken]

Oh - and JSS - but I'm sure he doesn't fit your 'high profile' criteria

When you're looking up at JSS belting it out 5 feet in front of you, that's pretty high profile in my opinion!

[steveo777]

Is anyone but me suspicious that Perry might have had this surgery and it either did or didn't work out?
If so, this secret has been well kept.

[SusieP]

An early Queen tour was plagued with illness.
Freddie had some nodes removed from his throat and then Brain got some kind of Hepatitis.

[lights1961]

Wasnt there a rumor about Bob Seger and his throat??? but CBS Sunday Morning news did a profile on him a few years back...and he just wanted to live a little and raise his family and left the music industry for few years.

[kgdjpubs]

Did Elton John have vocal surgery? You'd think with all of that male lubricant cascading down his throat that he could swallow thumb tacks and razor blades and still sound silky smooth.

The protein fended off the formation of nodes.

I think he did have surgery, maybe late 80s, too lazy to google it now

yea....sometime in the 80s. Listen to early 70s Elton John versus late 80s Elton John. Tremendous difference.


One more that I know of is Dave Bickler of Survivor. He got nodes on the vocal cords in '83, and subsequently was replaced by Jimi Jamison for the already in progress Vital Signs album.

[kgdjpubs]

Rod had throat cancer and if his appearance on American Idol was any indication, his voice is pretty messed up.

Rod Stewart's voice changed quite a bit after the surgery....mainly getting REALLY thin on the low end. The fact that he is singing down-tuned on most everything is accentuating the fact. He did a surprise performance of People Get Ready with Jeff Beck (in the original key) last year and sounded very impressive. His voice is much better than you think it is IF he is singing in the original key. It just doesn't happen very often.

People Get Ready 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re4ut7EI4wc

[brywool]

Rod had throat cancer and if his appearance on American Idol was any indication, his voice is pretty messed up.

Rod Stewart's voice changed quite a bit after the surgery....mainly getting REALLY thin on the low end. The fact that he is singing down-tuned on most everything is accentuating the fact. He did a surprise performance of People Get Ready with Jeff Beck (in the original key) last year and sounded very impressive. His voice is much better than you think it is IF he is singing in the original key. It just doesn't happen very often.

People Get Ready 2009 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re4ut7EI4wc

wow, that's great. Thanks for sharing. Lookit all the cell phone cameras. Funny.

[Carla777]

I think Tom Keifer from Cinderella also had many vocal cord surgeries, he lost his voice for complete at one point of his career



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAMKyKzH ... re=related

[Saint John]

Wasnt there a rumor about Bob Seger and his throat???

Not sure, Rick. But there is definitely one floating around about JasonD.

[Maui Tom]

skip to about 3:10 in......this guy never really got his high register back....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E4GEUkgq1U

[Tomulator]

Did Elton John have vocal surgery? You'd think with all of that male lubricant cascading down his throat that he could swallow thumb tacks and razor blades and still sound silky smooth.

My vote for "post of the year"!!

[stevew2]

Augeri should have had it done, of course Journey would have to have stop raping there fans in there ass in 2005 to do such a thing .We know how that turned out

[slucero]

Vocal surgery for Klaus Meine would be a "Ball-lift"....

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

me.

Doc said I'd prolly never sing again-he's always had a lot of trouble with sopranos.

pfftt.. I took it as a dare. yeah, I can sing. come ovah--I'll show ya!!!

my voice was really weak for a while. and, now, I can still have a little trouble if I am extra tired. I don't know if that is common.

oh sorry--FAMOUS singers. my bad. (I am famous in my own mind.....)

[Michigan Girl]

Priceless ...^^^

[G.I.Jim]

skip to about 3:10 in......this guy never really got his high register back....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E4GEUkgq1U

THAT was hilarious Tom!