Health, beauty
Walter’s fans helped him beat hep C blues WHEN Walter Trout takes to the stage in Glasgow for a concert next month it’ll be an emotional affair.
The acclaimed American blues musician is on a tour he never expected to be able to undertake as he almost lost his life to hepatitis C.
He needed a lifesaving liver transplant but he lost 13 pints of blood and was in a coma for three days. The surgery left him facing a $2 MILLION (£1.3m) medical bill and only the astonishing generosity of fans, including many in Britain, kept him from losing everything.
“It’s been quite an experience and I don’t think I’ll ever fully get over it,” said Walter from his Californian home.
“It’s reminded me how fragile life is and that we’re all on borrowed time.”
Walter, 64, admits he partied far too hard in his younger days and that his boozing took a terrible toll.
Although he totally cleaned up his act almost 30 years ago he was hit by the hepatitis C, which doctors said could have been unrelated.
He had all sort of health issues over the years, not realising what was responsible until a major breakdown of his system on a tour of Germany.
“I got up in the middle of the night and I was swelled up incredibly,” he recalls. “My legs were so bloated they looked like an elephant’s.
“I was finally admitted to hospital last year and told I needed a transplant. I just couldn’t take it in.” Walter faced an agonising wait for a suitable liver and finally had the vital surgery early last summer.
Although it proved to be a success, it was a massive undertaking that left him suffering from temporary brain damage. The recovery process continues to this day. What Walter, wife Marie and their three sons Jon, 22, Mike, 19 and 14-year-old Dylan have also had to cope with are the crippling bills from the US healthcare system.
“I had insurance so part of it was covered but the hospital bill was huge and I have to pay a percentage of it,” said Walter, who has played with John Mayall and Canned Heat.
“That’s where the international blues community came in. The fundraising was unbelievable and fans from all around the world donated $250,000 (£165,000).
“They really came to the aid of me and my family and their unbelievable generosity stopped us having to sell our house.
“I was inundated with cards and messages and prayers and the financial support. They gave me a message that my music is important to them.”
Walter decided that getting on the road to perform for the fans was the best way to say thanks.
He made an emotive return at London’s Royal Albert Hall in June.
And his I’m Back tour this autumn includes a date at the Glasgow ABC on Wednesday, November 18.
“I know Glasgow so well, I’ve played so many different venues all over the city over the years,” he adds.
“I’m so grateful to all my fans. I still read the messages they sent and just break down and cry.”
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