SPECIAL FEATURE FEATURE Still hitting the high notes

How The Who’s << ROGER DALTREY got his legendary voice back in shape

12 | SHINE | SUMMER 2017 Still hitting the high notes

lmost 52 years diagnosed with dysplasia — have passed since abnormal, precancerous cells in What was nice is The Who first his vocal cords. The cells had formed “that I could actually released the song a callus that kept the vocal cords “My Generation.” from moving freely (hence, the give him very A lead singer in singing troubles). hisA prime, Roger Daltrey could belt “In Roger’s case, his dysplasia left specific feedback the legendary Pete Townshend lyrics untreated would have not only ruined with ease. “I hope I die before I get his singing career but could have based on how I saw old. Talkin’ ’bout my generation!” turned into cancer,” says Rajiv As he sang the anthem of teenage Pandit, MD, otolaryngologist/head him sing that night angst, it probably never crossed his and neck surgeon on the medical mind that someday getting older staff at Methodist Dallas Medical at the concert. I noticed would put his iconic voice to the test. Center. “Fortunately, there are he got raspy about “Singers tend to push too hard and procedures to help patients, work too hard from just the sheer joy of especially when they’re proactive, three-quarters of the the music and trying to put the attitude as Roger was.” needed into the music,” Roger says. One of those procedures is a laser way through two “You tend to forget that you’re human.” procedure to successfully remove the Roger, now 73, was reminded of cells, which Roger had done at a New particular songs — that humanity in 2009, when he first England hospital in 2010. Before noticed problems with his voice. long, he was back to performing ‘Love, Reign O’er Me’ “I was on a solo tour, doing five to and touring. six shows a week, and by the third One of those tour stops was and ‘Baba O’Riley.’ show, I noticed I would be getting Dallas in May 2015. It was then that ” — Rajiv Pandit, MD hoarse,” he says. Roger first became familiar with Then in his 60s, Roger was Methodist Dallas. Roger’s voice was realizing that his vocal cords could raw and he was losing it. After the no longer do what they could when Dallas show, he was referred to he was a rising rock star in his 20s. Dr. Pandit. Coincidentally, Dr. Pandit They just couldn’t handle so many — an avid fan of The Who since his performances in a week with little teenage years — and his wife had to no rest in between. attended the Dallas concert. “Things I had done effortlessly “What was nice is that I could all my life were suddenly difficult,” actually give him very specific Roger says. “For me, singing had feedback based on how I saw him been the most natural thing in the sing that night at the concert,” world, and all of a sudden, it was Dr. Pandit says. “I noticed he got becoming hard.” raspy about three-quarters of the way through two particular songs — Finding expert care ‘Love, Reign O’er Me’ and Fortunately, Roger wasted no time ‘Baba O’Riley.’” seeking medical help. He was continued on the next page >>

METHODISTHEALTHSYSTEM.ORG | 13 STILL HITTING THE HIGH NOTES continued from the previous page

The cause of Roger’s vocal issues breathing in hot, humidified air to complaining of problems with their could have been a recurrence of loosen up and lubricate the vocal cords voices (see “When to See a Doc for dysplasia or an infection. Fortunately, — and intentionally warming up and Your Voice” on page 15). Sometimes a it was something far less serious — cooling down the vocal cords before patient just needs rest or new vocal inflammation, swelling, and dryness and after performances. techniques, but sometimes the of the vocal cords. He needed a week “Singers have to think like athletes problems become more severe and of vocal rest, which meant canceling with their voices,” Roger says. require a medical procedure. three concerts that week. “That’s not usual with the rock ’n’ roll At Methodist Dallas, many In addition, he had to implement field. We weren’t trained singers, procedures and technologies are a new pattern for scheduled perfor- yet some of the singing we do is not available to treat these conditions, mances. Concerts could be performed easy at all.” including the laser surgery procedure every other day for no more than four Roger had. Other advanced, minimally consecutive concerts. Then he needed Letting his voice be heard invasive techniques are procedures a two-day break. Dr. Pandit also Roger’s story is not an uncommon one. to remove polyps on the vocal cords recommended he have a longer break You don’t have to be a professional or even restore the voice after a vocal in the middle of tours after a certain singer to face vocal issues. Sales cord injury (such as from cancer, a number of shows. people, broadcasters, performers, previous procedure, or an accident). Other recommendations were teachers, coaches, and telemarketers Whatever the condition or needed steam therapy — which involves all often see otolaryngologists, treatment, you don’t want to ignore Photos by Amy Rosenberg

14 | SHINE | SUMMER 2017 WHEN TO SEE A DOC FOR YOUR VOICE

You only have one set of vocal cords, so taking note of vocal issues is important, especially as you age, says Rajiv Pandit, MD, otolaryngolo- gist/head and neck surgeon on the medical staff at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. “Just because voice issues aren’t life or death, like a heart problem or a kidney problem, doesn’t mean they’re something to be ignored,” Dr. Pandit says. Watch for hoarseness Photos by Amy Rosenberg that lasts longer than three weeks or pain when speaking or swallowing. You’re at particular risk I don’t want to go back to eight years ago when if you have a history of “ smoking or acid reflux, it was such hard work to sing; it was getting to be as both can cause serious damage to throat cells no fun. I think I’m singing better today than and lead to cancer. For some patients, I’ve ever sung in my life. Hitting the high notes there are no specific symptoms, just a feeling is no trouble at all. —Roger Daltrey of something being “off.” ” Don’t ignore that, either; let a doctor take a look. To help prevent vocal issues. That’s why Roger is adamant Taking these concerns seriously problems before they about talking to anyone experiencing has paid off for the singer, who has start, give your vocal cord voice issues. stuck to his medical plan and had no cells a boost by drinking “Whenever I’m in the company of further problems. plenty of fluids as well someone with a raspy voice, I always ask “I don’t want to go back to eight as eating more natural if they’ve had their vocal cords checked,” years ago when it was such hard work antioxidants, found in he says. “It doesn’t take any time, it’s not to sing; it was getting to be no fun,” he pecans, berries, and painful, and it’s so easy to do. For what you says. “I think I’m singing better today whole-grain cereals. spend to keep your car maintained, you than I’ve ever sung in my life. Hitting They’ve been shown to repair damaged cells and must do the same for your voice.” the high notes is no trouble at all.” • slow down the aging of healthy cells.

>>TO FIND A SPECIALIST on >>LIFE LESSONS FROM ROGER DALTREY the medical staff at Our interview with Roger yielded far more than health advice — it also Methodist Dallas, visit offered some other words of wisdom. Read more on our answers2 blog at Answers2.org or call Answers.MethodistHealthSystem.org/Daltrey-Interview. 214-444-7303.

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