Soul legend feared never singing again after voice 'suddenly disappeared' while performing
“There was no sound coming out of my mouth – I needed help.”
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Soul legend feared never singing again after voice ‘suddenly disappeared’ while performing
STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO
NOVEMBER 19, 2025
Junior Giscombe says he thought it was a cold but found out that his left vocal cord had collapsed.
A soul legend feared he would never sing again when his voice “suddenly disappeared” while performing.
Junior Giscombe, 68, from Romford, London, became a transatlantic success with his hit song ‘Mama Used To Say’ which he won Billboard ‘Best Newcomer’ award for, presented to him by the Godfather of Soul James Brown.
But while singing as a member of the group the British Collective in 2023, by the time he had reached the last song, Junior says he had no sound coming out of his mouth.
After being referred to St Georges Hospital in Tooting, London, the singer was told his left vocal cord had collapsed and that without treatment, he would never perform again.
But now, since undergoing a voice-saving operation, Junior says that without the “amazing” team at St George’s, he would have been forced to “give up the job he loved for 50 years.”
Recalling the moment his voice changed during his performance, Junior said: “When I got to the last song, I had no voice. It just disappeared.
“I initially thought I’d caught a cold, but when it wouldn’t go away and I just couldn’t talk. I knew something was up.
“When I tried to speak to my wife, there was no sound coming out of my mouth – I needed help.”
The 68-year-old says the experience of not being able to speak was “incredibly frightening and also left him worrying about his livelihood.
Junior said: “No voice means no job – so I was scared.
“Not being able to use my voice was incredibly frightening.
“Over the years, I would do shows and didn’t warm up my voice beforehand. As I never had any issues with my voice, I took for granted that it would always be there.”
Junior says he is “grateful” to the hospital staff who helped him regain his ability to speak and that he “can’t stop singing their praises.”
The soul legend said: “I’m extremely grateful to the team at St George’s. Without them, I would have no voice and would have to give up the job I’ve loved for almost 50 years.
“They have been amazing, and all the care I’ve had every step of the way has been second to none. I can’t stop singing their praises.”
As part of Junior’s treatment, he had sessions with Speech Therapist Elissa Finn and her team, both before and after his surgery.
During these sessions, he was taught how to use his voice using a method that minimises damage.
Junior said: “I’ve never had vocal training before, so this was a first for me.
“Working with Elissa and her team gave me the confidence I needed, as I was thinking ‘will I be able to come back from this’ as I was feeling very unsure within myself.
“Now I’m back doing what I love and it’s all because of the wonderful team at St George’s – thanks to them, my voice has been saved and I can continue to sing.”
After going through the terrifying ordeal, the singer is also urging people not to ‘take their voice for granted’ and to “look after it.”
Elaine Clancy, Group Chief Nurse, said: “I am so pleased that the dedicated teams at St George’s were able to help Junior regain his beautiful voice.
“This shows the life-changing impact that they can have on a patient’s life – it makes me very proud to know the difference they make every day.”
Elissa added: “It was a pleasure to work with Junior. To hear him sing again makes our team’s work very rewarding.
“There are different reasons why a patient may have lost their voice. It could be through overuse, with age, or it could be caused by a health condition – so our sessions are always tailored to the patient’s needs.”
Junior has spoken about his treatment as staff at St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group gear up for the second-ever gesh CARE Awards – where he will meet Elissa for an ‘emotional’ reunion.
The sponsored ceremony is a ‘special thank you’ to the health heroes who make a real difference to patients and colleagues.
Colleagues have nominated each other, while patients, their families and carers have put staff members or teams forward for the ‘Outstanding CARE of the Year’ Award.
Everyone from the hospital Group’s 17,000 workforce is eligible for an award, with the winners announced on December 9, 2025, during a special ceremony at the Kia Oval in Kennington sponsored by St George’s Hospital Charity, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity and local businesses.