‘I might not wake up’: Country singer John Anderson’s chilling words while recording Years take on new meaning after his death at 71

Country singer John Anderson, who has served hits in the 80s and 90s, has died at the age of 71. As per his obituary, he passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 21. While the music industry is grieving the loss of the singer, his death has brought renewed attention a frightening health crisis he had faced couple of years earlier, when he was scared that he may not survive another medical procedure. While recording his album titled Years, Anderson made a chilling remark that reflected just how uncertain his future felt.

John Anderson feared he might not wake up after surgery

According to the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, Anderson was determined to finish recording his vocals for Years despite the serious health problems he was facing. During the sessions, he reportedly told producer Dan Auerbach, “Let’s get everything because I might not wake up.”

The remark came after a frightening experience during a medical procedure that required anaesthesia. Anderson was later told that doctors had believed he had died on the operating table. His wife told him that this had happened three times.


The experience stayed with the singer as he worked on the album. He knew he had another medical appointment coming up just days after the recording sessions, and that procedure would also require anaesthesia. With no certainty about what lay ahead, finishing the album became especially important to him.

The health crisis he kept hidden from the music industry

Anderson did not share the full extent of his health struggles with his touring band or many people in the music industry. Even after his recovery, he preferred not to discuss every detail of what had happened. However, the experience changed the way he looked at his life. In an account shared by the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, Anderson reflected on how the ordeal had deepened his love for music and his appreciation for his family.

“There’s a few things that I came out of this whole deal better with,” he said, explaining that his relationship with music and his family had grown stronger.

But it was his awareness of how fragile life could be that affected him most. Anderson said he knew he could “die here any minute”, for reasons he might never understand. He also spoke about his faith, saying he had no doubt that “the good Lord already came down and touched me”.

John Anderson’s hearing problems threatened his music career

The health crisis also affected Anderson’s ability to do the one thing that had defined much of his life: sing. During this period, he lost his sense of pitch and struggled to recognise his own songs when they played on the radio. His hearing problems became so difficult that he described the experience as “terrible noise”.

For the first time in 40 years, he had to step back from touring due to his serious health condition.

John Anderson’s family remembers the man behind the music

Following his death, his family shared a post on his social media page and paid the singer a tribute. They remembered him not just as an artist, but also as a father, husband, grandfather and friend. It further described how he was a "gifted country music singer" whose voice and songs touched countless lives. The post called him the "heart of our family" who made every laugh, loved fiercely and made every ordinary moments feel special.

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A post shared by John Anderson (@johnanderson)

The family also asked the public to keep them in their thoughts and prayers as they grieve the loss of someone they described as their “best friend”.