Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull has revealed that he is suffering from an incurable lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
In a new interview with Dan Rather on AXS TV, Anderson revealed his incurable condition for the first time in public.
"I'm going to tell you something I've never told anybody in public before – I am suffering from an incurable lung disease which I was diagnosed with a couple of years back," he said. "I do struggle. I have what are called exacerbations – periods when I get an infection that turns into severe bronchitis, and I have maybe two or three weeks when it's really a tough job to go out there on stage and play."
He also explained that he had gone 18 months free from an exacerbation now and is currently on medication. "Fingers crossed ...If I'm kept in a reasonably pollution-free environment in terms of air quality, I do OK. But my days are numbered."
Anderson also explained that he would keep fighting the disease. "...keep using as much of your lung power as you're lucky enough to have and push it to the limit all the time." He continued, "The minute you settle back and say, 'I can't do this any more,' it's a slippery slope. The answer is keep pushing."
Watch the full episode below.
