Jon Bon Jovi admits ‘I can’t be that guy’ and music career will be ‘done’ if vocal struggles continue

Jon Bon Jovi admits ‘I can’t be that guy’ and music career will be ‘done’ if vocal struggles continue
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Lauren Williams

By Lauren Williams


Published: 14/04/2024

- 15:43

The 80s rock icon has been recovering from vocal cord surgery following an injury he sustained two years ago

Jon Bon Jovi has admitted that his staggering music career could be over sooner than he thought if he is unable to recover from his vocal injury.

It has taken Jovi nearly two years of rehabilitation to get his voice back to what it once was, but his end goal is to be able to sing through a two-and-a-half-hour set with the band on tour. with t


One of his vocal cords was “literally atrophied”, with the star explaining that everyone’s vocal cords are supposed to look parallel to one another.

The Livin’ on a Prayer singer noted that his were polar opposites in size and were pushing against one another, weakening his vocal abilities.

Jovi managed to find a surgeon with a “cutting edge” implant which built the chord back up and was able to get him back singing once again.

The 62-year-old recently made a comeback at the MusiCares gala in Los Angeles, but his future still remains in doubt.

Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi were the biggest rock group of the 80s

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He recently admitted that if his vocal chords remained diminished, his music career would finally be over.

He told The Sunday Times: “This is the first time I’m saying this – if the singing is not great, if I can’t be the guy I once was… then I’m done. And I’m good with that.”

Jovi’s battle with his vocal injury was recently documented in the upcoming Disney+ series Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, which follows the band around from February 2022.

The series takes a look at the singer and his band contemplating their future after four decades spent working in the industry.

Jon Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi has recently being going through vocal cord recovery

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“There is a big difference between being in a studio and going out on the road. We have just recorded a new album.

“I sing in vocal therapy every day. But I want to perform for two and a half hours a night, four nights a week – and I know how good I can be, so if I can’t be that guy… put it this way, I don’t ever need to be the fat Elvis.”

The band was formed in 1983 and are best known for their rock anthems It’s My Life, You Give Love A Bad Name and Thank You For Loving Me.

Led by Jovi, the band also consists of lead guitarist Phil x – who replaced original star Richie Sambora – bassist Hugh McDonald, drummer Tico Torres and David Bryan.

Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi could finally retire from music

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Sambora left the band in the midst of their world tour in 2013, with Jovi recently admitting that the pair still no longer speak.

Both Jovi and Sambora star in the upcoming Disney+ series, but there is no chance of a reunion as Jovi recently told Ultimate Classis Rock: “We’re not in contact because he’s not in the organisation any longer.

He added he had “nothing to do with” Richie’s involvement: “They interviewed Richie in London. I wasn’t there. I had nothing to do with it.”

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