Myles Kennedy Reveals Christian Science Beliefs Led to His Father’s Death
Myles Kennedy has fronted Mayfield Four, Slash's band and Alter Bridge, but the singer is stepping out solo this year for his new disc Year of the Tiger. The vocalist has previously spoken about how the title refers to 1974, the year that his father passed away, and added that it's more of a concept album that centers on his father's death and the effect it had on his family.
During a recent chat with radio host Eddie Trunk, Kennedy opened up a bit more about the circumstances leading to his father's death, revealing that his family's Christian Science faith played a role in the events that occurred.
The singer says (as transcribed by Blabbermouth), "My family, at that point, were Christian Scientists. So basically, this woman Mary Baker Eddy started this in the 1800s, and the premise is that you don’t go to doctors. You believe that God is gonna heal you. It's very frustrating even talking about it, frankly."
He continued, "Dad got sick and chose not to go and see a doctor. He died of the appendicitis. He died one night in his sleep because it blew up and gangrene went all over. He didn't know it was [appendicitis] because he wouldn't go and see a doctor. But what is interesting is that he got really sick about eight weeks prior. He was in a lot of pain. So there's a theory it might have actually ruptured then. He may have had gangrene actually for quite a while. But mom woke up one morning and he passed away."
The vocalist, who was four at the time of his dad's death, stated that both sides of his family were followers of the Christian Science faith, but his mom had started to question things a bit just prior to his father's passing. "The light has actually gone off for her a little earlier, previous to his death. Because she worked at a nursing home and she realized that a lot of people associated with the Christian Science faith were passing away," recalled the vocalist.
Kennedy's debut video for the title track, which was directed by Dan Sturgess, continues along the lines of the father-son relationship, as the timeline alternates between a father and his son on a sun-drenched highway with the kid clinging to a guitar and dragging it along and Kennedy as a grown man on the same highway with the guitar. You can watch the clip below.
Year of the Tiger will be released March 9 through Napalm Records. You can pre-order the disc digitally here or get physical packages at this location.
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