Sebastian Bach, the former lead singer of Skid Row, is renowned for his dynamic stage presence and signature headbanging. However, in a recent interview on the “Come On Over” podcast, Bach candidly discussed the physical toll of his energetic performances, admitting, “I can’t do that headbanging anymore.”
Reflecting on his stage experiences, Bach shared that while performing, he often feels invincible, with thoughts like, “Nobody’s here to see your damn ankle! Nobody cares about your ankle.” Yet, after the adrenaline fades, reality sets in: “When I get off stage, my shoulder says, ‘Hey, man, screw you. You don’t care about your shoulder, huh? You don’t care about your back, you don’t care about your neck. Well, guess what? You’re gonna care about it tonight, and when you wake up tomorrow, your neck’s gonna be this stiff.'”
This revelation aligns Bach with other rock legends who have faced similar challenges. Tom Araya of Slayer had to cease his iconic figure-eight headbanging due to neck and back issues, leading to surgery and a titanium plate in his spine. Phil Anselmo of Pantera also underwent multiple procedures to address damage from years of intense performances.
Despite these limitations, Bach’s passion for rock and roll remains undiminished. He continues to tour and recently released his solo album, “Child Within The Man,” in May 2024. The album features collaborations with artists like John 5, Steve Stevens, and Orianthi, and includes tracks co-written with Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge.
In a conversation with Germany’s EMP, Bach explained the album’s title: “Rock and roll makes me feel like a child… When I’m on stage and I look at the crowd, I feel like I’m 19 years old; I feel like a little kid.” He humorously added that while he feels youthful during performances, his body often reminds him of his age afterward. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about his future in music, stating, “If Mick Jagger can be rocking and rolling at 82, you better get used to me, man, ’cause I’ll be doing it for fucking 40 more fucking years.”
Bach’s journey underscores the challenges aging musicians face, but also highlights their resilience and enduring passion for their craft. As he adapts his performance style, fans can look forward to many more years of his electrifying presence on stage.
