Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson has revealed he suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Anderson, 72, shared the news with Dan Rather on his AXS TV series The Big Interview, noting he had been diagnosed with the incurable condition "a couple of years back."
"I do struggle," Anderson said of his health. "I have what are known as exacerbations: Periods when I get an infection, it turns into severe bronchitis and I have maybe two or three weeks of really a tough job to go out there onstage and play. Fingers crossed, I've gone 18 months now without an exacerbation."
Anderson added that while his "days are numbered," he takes medication for the condition and can remain stable in pollution-free environments. As he told Rather, the artist feels 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. "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."
Rather's full interview with Anderson airs Wednesday (May 13) on AXS TV at 8 p.m. ET. You can find a preview below.
Anderson, 72, shared the news with Dan Rather on his AXS TV series The Big Interview, noting he had been diagnosed with the incurable condition "a couple of years back."
"I do struggle," Anderson said of his health. "I have what are known as exacerbations: Periods when I get an infection, it turns into severe bronchitis and I have maybe two or three weeks of really a tough job to go out there onstage and play. Fingers crossed, I've gone 18 months now without an exacerbation."
Anderson added that while his "days are numbered," he takes medication for the condition and can remain stable in pollution-free environments. As he told Rather, the artist feels 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. "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."
Rather's full interview with Anderson airs Wednesday (May 13) on AXS TV at 8 p.m. ET. You can find a preview below.
