Nino de Angelo
The lung disease COPD "affects me a lot"
Nino de Angelo struggled with several illnesses in the course of his life.
© (c) Franz Schepers
In October 2020, Nino de Angelo made his lung disease COPD public. In an interview, the pop singer tells how he is doing today.
Pop star Nino de Angelo (57, "Beyond Eden") had repeatedly struggled with his health in recent years. In 2020 he announced that he suffered from the incurable lung disease COPD. "The disease affects me a lot," says the 57-year-old, whose new album "Gesegnet und Verflucht" will be released on February 26th. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Nino de Angelo reveals how the disease affects his voice and why he went to the doctor for the first time in more than four years.
A few months ago you made public that you suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). How are you coping with the disease?
Nino de Angelo: The illness affects me a lot. It's not a problem in the studio, you can stop for a moment and start singing again. I would like to go on tour again. I probably always have to tell something between songs. I can't do it otherwise, purely in terms of ventilation. But I'm still in good spirits.
You once said in an interview that you don't go to the doctor?
De Angelo: I recently went to the doctor for a check-up for the first time. After four years I wanted to know what stage the disease was at. Fortunately, it hasn't gotten much worse. I can still do without inhaling. When I have an attack, it's like an asthma attack. I'm not allowed to make hectic movements, nor should I run a marathon anymore. I can handle it, and I've developed a technique for singing. My voice still sounds great. The air is the problem. If I live another five years, it will be wonderful. You can live longer with the disease. But I am prepared for anything.
Why did you go to the doctor now? Was the corona pandemic the trigger?
De Angelo: Exactly. I suddenly felt very bad. I was getting even less air and it stung my lungs. I thought I might have caught Corona and of course that would not be to be trifled with. It shouldn't end that quickly. That's why I went to the doctor – thank God the corona test was negative. And then I did a computed tomography.
Are you planning to continue treatment now?
De Angelo: There is no therapy. If problems arise, you have to see a doctor – maybe there will be medication for them. But I already have to take three medications a day because of my emergency heart surgery. I don't want to take too much. But if the going gets tough, I would probably swallow more too.
And what about a transplant? Still don't want one?
De Angelo: I don't want a lung transplant. My chest has already been opened to bypass my heart. I don't have to do this again. That's why I enjoy my life and try to make the finale so that I'm happy.
What else would you like to experience? Do you have specific plans for 2021?
De Angelo: First we have to get through this pandemic. After that I would really like to go on tour, play the album in front of an audience and sing. That would be important to me. Otherwise I am completely satisfied. I've seen everything in my life. I just want my kids, my fiancé and my parents to be safe. Then I am the happiest person in the world.