As the big night drew closer, john's voice got weaker. He started to rasp and he couldn't reliably hit the high notes. A smiling new neighbor told him: 'You've got a serious vocal injury' John later found out she was a broadway vocal coach. And on her recommendation, he went to see a doctor. The doctor proposed surgery. I was told it would be six weeks of vocal silence. There was no way i could afford that. I had todal larongitis lately. Couldn't make sound for about three or four days. Came back as a whisper. Eventually sort of was raspy, and then it was gravelly,. It stayed