Rock legend Axl Rose has opened up about the physical difficulties he faces after decades of high-intensity singing.
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Rose, 64, addressed the crowd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Wednesday, August 12, during Guns N' Roses' latest show.
The frontman revealed that he has been dealing with temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly known as TMJ. He said that he recently underwent a procedure to address the problem.
Rock Legend Axl Rose Opens Up About TMJ
During the show, Rose said, "I had really crazy TMJ."
"When I'm singing it's kind of like somebody's in my ear. Like Bugs Bunny is eating in my ear a carrot and celery and s---'s popping around," he continued.
The Guns N' Roses frontman then revealed that he underwent a procedure earlier in the week.
"So now, [the left] side of my mouth is still f---ing numb," Rose added. "It gets interesting. It's challenging."
According to Emergency Dentist London, TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles.
The joint connects the jawbone to the skull and plays a "vital role" in speech, singing and facial expressions.
"Understanding the relationship between jaw health and vocal performance is crucial for maintaining a sustainable singing career," a description reads.
"When this complex system becomes strained or misaligned, it can create a cascade of issues affecting vocal range, clarity, and endurance."
Rose Explains Challenges of Singing With TMJ
During the New Jersey show, Rose explained how the demands of his distinctive singing style have complicated his experience with the disorder.
"None of the doctors, none of the dentists — there's really no way to describe what you do, and with TMJ they tell ya, 'Try not to chew!' Okay, I won't eat," he explained.
"Second, you really can't describe — you stretch your face in so many ways trying to sing like I do!"
Rose also described the unsettling sounds he experiences while performing.
"So you hear all these sounds while you're singing, and you hear sounds that, like, make you go, 'I really probably shouldn't be doing what I'm doing, because that sound sounds like my jaw's gonna fall off or go to the side or get stuck that way.'"
"Which, that would be pretty funny!," Rose concluded.
Despite the issue and his recent procedure, Rose remains on the road with Guns N' Roses as the band continues the North American leg of its worldwide tour.
The group will remain in North America through September 19. Its next show is scheduled for August 16 in St. Louis.
Guns N' Roses will then head to Asia, Australia and New Zealand for the "Winter 2026" leg of the tour. That will begin on November 14 in Bengaluru, India.
