John Mellencamp underwent a risky surgery that required his doctors to cut off his head.
The singer-songwriter, who is now 71, dropped more details about his experience in his recent interview with Esquire. He disclosed that he was born with the most serious form of spina bifida, meaning his spine and spinal cord were not fully formed.
Though fatal, the disease can also cause lifelong problems to the survivors.
What Happened to John Mellencamp?
To fix the problem, Mellencamp reportedly underwent surgery as an infant and had his head cut off.
"There were three other kids who had that same operation that day," he shared. "The other kids died, and I lived. One girl made it for a while, and I used to see her at basketball games. She was paralyzed from the neck down. She died when she was about, I don't know, 13."
Despite almost losing his mobility and life, his past health issue reportedly did not prevent him from getting involved in street fights when he got older. The "Rain On The Scarecrow" singer reportedly found it exciting to feel the adrenaline of fighting another male regardless of whether he would win or lose.
However, things changed one night when one guy beat him so severely that he could not recognize himself the next morning.
While he gave up on drinking and smoking pot and substances, he admitted to still smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.
John Mellencamp's Health Explored
During his 2022 interview with People, the Grammy-winning singer shared that he has been living a lucky life because of his good fortune. Decades after his dangerous surgery, he disclosed that he had a health scare in 1994.
"I had lots of doctors going, 'John, your cholesterol's way too high and you smoke.' I'd go, 'F- it,'" he recalled. "I learned my lesson after I had a heart attack at 42."
After surviving those things, Mellencamp lives for the simple successes he wants in life.
"All I've ever needed was a guitar, motorcycle, some girl to put her arms around my neck and a stereo," he said. "That was it. That sounds like real success to me."
Mellencamp sold nearly 30 million records and released 25 albums. His projects also led him to earn 14 Grammy nominations.
READ MORE: John Mellencamp's New Song Preview Delivers Important Message to Fans - What Is It?
