The voice of the Spin Doctors is without his voice. Chris Barron, lead singer of the New York-based neo-hippie pop troupe, has been diagnosed with a rare vocal cord paralysis that leaves him unable to speak above a whisper.

According to Spin Doctors drummer Aaron Comess, Barron's affliction began during a string of shows in late May. "Chris woke up on a Monday morning and had no voice," he said.

Three months later, despite seeing various medical specialists, Barron's condition has not improved. "Nobody can really say for sure if and when he's gonna get his voice back or, if he gets it back, if it's gonna sound the same," Comess said. "It's a pretty bad situation."

The Spin Doctors released their fourth album, Here Comes the Bride, in June, but, besides a handful of shows, the band has been unable to tour. "We made an album that we're all really proud of, so it's really frustrating for us because we were really psyched to get out on the road and play this material," Comess said.

To keep busy, the other Spin Doctors -- Comess, guitarist Eric Schenkman and bassist Mark White -- are working on tracks with Ivan Neville for his upcoming album, and the three will back Neville on his upcoming East Coast tour in September.

BILL CRANDALL
(August 18, 1999)