Episode 165: Bon Jovi / Vocal Cord Injury

Doctor Vs Comedian

Today, Asif and Ali discuss Bon Jovi and the recent documentary series on the band “Thank you and Goodnight” on Disney Plus. Right at they beginning the discuss the director of the docuseries, Gotham Chopra and how he is related to health guru Deepak Chopra. Then then discuss Jon Bon Jovi and his band and Bon Jovi’s early influences including Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band and Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes. They then discuss his first hit “Runaway” and how it led to the formation of the band. They discuss their subsequent albums and then their breakthrough album ‘Slippery When Wet”. They discuss their brief hiatus, their comeback, and later the issues that led to Ritchie Sambora leaving the band. They then discuss Bon Jovi’s induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jon Bon Jovi’s politics and conclude by discussing their thoughts on the docuseries and the overall legacy of the band.

In the docuseries, Jon Bon Jovi is suffering from vocal cord issues, so in our second half, Ali asks Asif about vocal cord injuries. They start off by discussing Presbylaryngis or Vocal Fold Atrophy, which are natural changes in our vocal cords (folds), a condition which Jon Bon Jovi was diagnosed with. Asif discusses how sound is produced from the vocal folds in our larynx and what happens to the vocal folds as we age. After an aside about how Ali was the lead singer in a band, Asif discusses how presbylaryngis can be treated. The guys then discuss other types of vocal fold injury and vocal fold nodules in particular. Finally Asif gives tips on how to maintain good vocal health.

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Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

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Show Notes:

• Jon Bon Jovi Says He’s “More Than Capable” of Singing Following Vocal Cord Surgery: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/jon-bon-jovi-can-still-sing-following-vocal-cord-surgery-1235872294/
• 'I can only give the best': Bon Jovi on vocal surgery and the road to recovery: https://www.npr.org/2024/04/29/1247749402/jon-bon-jovi-thank-you-goodnight
• Presbylaryngis (Vocal Fold Atrophy): https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/presbylaryngis
• Vocal Polyps and Nodules: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/864565-overview
• Why singers like Sam Smith, Adele and Meghan Trainor are going silent: https://ew.com/article/2015/07/28/singers-vocal-cord-injuries/
• Why Are So Many Singers Suffering From Vocal-Cord Injuries? A Leading Surgeon Explains: https://www.vulture.com/2015/08/surgeon-explains-vocal-cord-injuries.html
• Close to Curtain Time: Management of the Injured Singer in the Acute Setting (In-Office and Backstage Evaluation): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40136-023-00470-5
• 5 tips to take the best care of your voice for everyone who sings, from a speech pathologist: https://theconversation.com/5-tips-to-take-the-best-care-of-your-voice-for-everyone-who-sings-from-a-speech-pathologist-193222