Jon Bon Jovi has provided a positive update on his singing voice after undergoing risky surgery in 2022 to repair an atrophied vocal cord.
The 64-year-old founder and frontman of Bon Jovi has been off the road since the crucial procedure. While the operation was successful, his musical future was left in limbo. “There were days I thought I was done,” he admitted to The Independent in November.
Now, nearly five years after working with vocal coaches, the singer-songwriter says he is “fully recovered” as he prepares to embark on a new tour with his band.
“It was longer than I’d ever expected, but it had to be right. We never lost faith,” Bon Jovi said in a new interview with People.
“I think that this is a rebirth,” he added of touring again. “It is simply about the joy.”
The “Livin’ on a Prayer” rocker shared that he was initially confused when a doctor told him “one of the cords was literally atrophying.”
“I’d often joked and said the only thing that’s ever been up my nose was my finger. I never did anything to hurt the cords,” he insisted. “I didn’t have any excesses. I’m a trained vocalist. I’ve practiced the craft.”
He praised his bandmates’ unwavering loyalty, saying: “They never doubted [me] and never looked for work or decided to retire. The sacrifices that each one of them have made to be there for me is on a whole ’nother level.”
Next month, the five-piece band will kick off their Forever Tour with a multi-date residency at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. They will later travel to Europe for stadium concerts in the U.K. and Ireland.
Bon Jovi first announced his comeback tour in October.
“There is a lot of joy in this announcement — joy that we can share these nights together with our amazing fans and joy that the band can be together,” he said at the time.
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“I am lucky enough to be able to hold a light out to the audience each night and stand in their reflection for a tremendous collective experience — I get to stand in the WE of our concerts.”
He concluded: “I’ve spoken extensively on my gratitude but I will say it again, I’m deeply grateful that the fans and the brotherhood of this band have been patient and allowed me the time needed to get healthy and prepare for touring. I’m ready and excited!”
