Axl Rose gave fans an update on his health this week during a performance in New Jersey. The 64-year-old Guns N’ Roses frontman shared that he recently underwent a procedure to address severe temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ.
Rose described the sensation in his ear as similar to hearing Bugs Bunny eating celery and carrots. Despite the lingering numbness and the challenges of recovering from such a medical intervention, he managed to power through a three-hour set for his audience at MetLife Stadium.
TMJ involves pain in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles and is often a result of teeth grinding or clenching. While medical professionals often treat the condition without surgical intervention, Rose required a procedure just days before the show.
The band is currently in the middle of a North American tour. They have a schedule that includes stops in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore planned through the end of the year. Rose has a history of performing through illness, previously finishing a show in 2018 despite being sick before he eventually had to cut the set short.
Rose remains focused on maintaining his tour commitments. His performance in New Jersey serves as the latest instance of the rocker pushing through physical discomfort to get back on stage for his fans.