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Donate NowChris Daughtry: Raising His Voice for Alzheimer’s Awareness
Rock Star Discusses His Commitment to the Cause and the Power of Music
Rock star discusses his commitment to the cause and the power of music
After losing his grandmother to Alzheimer’s, Chris Daughtry — frontman of his eponymous, chart-topping rock band, Daughtry — has become a vocal supporter in the fight against the disease. First breaking out as a fan favorite finalist on the 2006 season of TV singing competition “American Idol,” Daughtry has since released five studio albums, sold nine million records and 22 million singles, and racked up over three billion streams. He received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song, and was recently revealed as Rottweiler on the hit show “The Masked Singer.” Below, Daughtry discusses his commitment to the Alzheimer’s cause and the power of music to connect.
You've been very involved in the fight against Alzheimer's. What drives you?
My grandmother had [Alzheimer’s] for many years before she passed and, at the time, I didn’t really know much about the disease. I remember visiting her and my brother bringing his baby daughter in, and my grandmother looking at my little niece and thinking it was me. That’s when I knew things had gotten really serious.
Music as therapy
Studies have shown music may reduce agitation, improve behavioral issues and enrich the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease.
What memories do you have of your grandmother?
I remember she had this turntable with a radio built in, and was always turning on old school gospel hymns. Anytime I hear gospel-era Elvis, it always reminds me of my grandma.I didn’t know my grandmother like I wish I had. And hearing things about her later that I didn’t realize — that she was apparently a great singer and played guitar — I wish she would’ve gotten to experience seeing me as a singer and performer because I don’t think she ever knew that side of me. Maybe that could’ve been something we shared.
Often, people living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers find that memories of music remain long after other memories are gone. Why do you think music has such lasting power?
It’s such a universal language. I remember growing up listening to a lot of grunge in the ’90s. I didn’t really know what was being said at the time, but I felt something. I think we all experience that with music. Half the time, we’re singing the wrong lyrics anyway. We just know we love the way it sounds and we know how it makes us feel. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that even in our old age, whether we’re living with a disease or not, it’s still equally impactful.