Earlier this week, Jethro Tull leader Ian Anderson revealed he suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and while he did mention that his "days are numbered," the frontman is now telling fans not to worry about the illness.
"Thanks for your concern but no worries about my diagnosed COPD and asthma," Anderson wrote in a statement. "I have had 14 months with no infections and no bronchitis so last year was the first since my 20s when I didn't get sick at all. The conditions I have are early-stage and I plan to keep them that way."
Anderson explained how he "really meant when talking to Dan Rather last September that my days as a singer were numbered, rather than days to live! After all, I am 73 years old this August! But I should be OK for a few more years if COVID-19 doesn't get me first."
Anderson concluded, "A mild COPD or asthma are just things to live with for the millions around the world who suffer. But no impact at all on my daily life as long as I don't catch a cold or flu virus and suffer the subsequent heavy bronchitis which, for me, historically follows since I was a young man. But on the upside I don't suffer from hemorrhoids or erectile disfunction. So, things are looking up, not down — puns fully intended."
In his interview with Rather, Anderson suggested that smoke machines used onstage have contributed to his health issues.
"I've spent 50 years of my life onstage amongst those wretched things that I call smoke machines," he explained in the interview. "As if they're somehow innocent and not damaging to your lungs. I really do believe that's a very significant part of the problem that I have."
"Thanks for your concern but no worries about my diagnosed COPD and asthma," Anderson wrote in a statement. "I have had 14 months with no infections and no bronchitis so last year was the first since my 20s when I didn't get sick at all. The conditions I have are early-stage and I plan to keep them that way."
Anderson explained how he "really meant when talking to Dan Rather last September that my days as a singer were numbered, rather than days to live! After all, I am 73 years old this August! But I should be OK for a few more years if COVID-19 doesn't get me first."
Anderson concluded, "A mild COPD or asthma are just things to live with for the millions around the world who suffer. But no impact at all on my daily life as long as I don't catch a cold or flu virus and suffer the subsequent heavy bronchitis which, for me, historically follows since I was a young man. But on the upside I don't suffer from hemorrhoids or erectile disfunction. So, things are looking up, not down — puns fully intended."
In his interview with Rather, Anderson suggested that smoke machines used onstage have contributed to his health issues.
"I've spent 50 years of my life onstage amongst those wretched things that I call smoke machines," he explained in the interview. "As if they're somehow innocent and not damaging to your lungs. I really do believe that's a very significant part of the problem that I have."
