Jon Bon Jovi is opening up about the grueling health battle that nearly ended his legendary music career. Fortunately, rehab has helped him return to the stage once more.
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"We were just shy of three hours by, you know, the end of the little run. And I'm bouncing up and down in the dressing room, afterwards," he said. "No. I truly walked on there, just so ready, physically, mentally and psychologically."
The 64-year-old rocker discussed his recovery during an interview with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America Monday, Oct. 26. He underwent surgery in 2022 on his vocal cords. Things became so severe that he struggled to sing even "Happy Birthday."
"I knew that it was my heart's desire, more than my responsibility, professionally, to be as good as I could be," he said. "My greatest aspiration through this recovery route was to be able to pick anything off of any album and know I can do it. That's where I'm at," he said. "I am giddy right now because I'm picking songs that the band are gonna go, I haven't played that song in 20 years. I'm gonna say, go home and learn it because I am singing it."
Jon Bon Jovi Talks Health Update
Doctors ultimately performed a vocal cord medialization procedure, using an implant to help restore the affected cord's function. Although the surgery was successful, the singer faced a lengthy rehabilitation process that required years of vocal exercises, specialized training and patience.
At times, Bon Jovi questioned whether he would ever return to the stage.
"Health is the only thing that matters. I've come to realize that you know losing my mom," he said. "My dad is doing well, but he had a stroke and he fights it ... And then going through this with my throat. If you realize the sun is always going to shine again so that everything else we could figure out, but you got to have your health."
He added, "I truly do wanna do these shows and know that it's just gonna be that joyful, resonant feeling when I look around and feel that vibration with that band and that in turn with the audience. That's heaven."
