Emily Saliers, one half of the iconic Grammy-winning folk-rock duo Indigo Girls, has publicly disclosed a challenging health update that will impact her vocal performances during the band’s upcoming U.S. tour. Saliers, who has been a celebrated voice in music for decades, revealed in a candid Instagram post that she is living with two incurable medical conditions: cervical dystonia with torticollis and essential tremor. These neurological disorders, she explained, are progressively worsening and directly affect her ability to sing.
The heartfelt announcement was made via a video posted on the Indigo Girls’ official Instagram account on Saturday, April 18th, during tour rehearsals in Atlanta. Saliers, known for her distinctive vocal style and the duo’s signature harmonies, expressed a desire for complete transparency with their dedicated fanbase. "Many of you have noticed that my voice – maybe all of you have noticed, it’s pretty noticeable – that my voice is not what it once was," Saliers stated in the video. "So I wanted to share with you that I’ve been diagnosed with two movement disorders."
Understanding the Diagnoses: Cervical Dystonia and Essential Tremor
Saliers provided a detailed explanation of her conditions. Cervical dystonia with torticollis is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary contractions of neck muscles, causing the head to twist or tilt in an unnatural position. "In other people with this condition, the brain sends signals to tighten muscles," Saliers elaborated. "So because of the cervical dystonia, my head twists to the right and is misaligned. It can cause shaking of the head. It’s impossible for me to hold my head centrally without shaking, things like that. So structurally, obviously, that is problematic for this whole throat area."
The second diagnosis, essential tremor, is a nervous system disorder that causes involuntary rhythmic shaking. Saliers described its profound impact on her singing apparatus. "The other diagnosis, which is harder in fact for me, is an essential tremor. And the essential tremor causes involuntary shakes or movement, and it affects all the parts of my singing apparatus, the larynx, the pharyngeal muscles, my jaw and my diaphragm from which I get all the air for singing," she explained. "So I’m unable to make the connections muscularly and structurally because of the essential tremor. What else the essential tremor does is give me this – I am gonna call it horrible, because it’s horrible to me – vibrato that I never used to have. I am completely physically unable to hold a straight tone the way I used to."
This inability to sustain a steady vocal tone directly challenges a hallmark of the Indigo Girls’ sound, particularly their interwoven harmonies that have captivated audiences for years. Saliers acknowledged this, stating, "What you, our community, have come to, I think, appreciate and love about some of our harmonies is the way we can hold long straight tones together. So I want to give you a heads up about that, in full transparency."
A Legacy of Musical Excellence and Chart Success
The Indigo Girls, comprising Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, have built a formidable career spanning over three decades. Their music, often characterized by socially conscious lyrics and intricate acoustic arrangements, has resonated deeply with a devoted following. Their breakthrough came in 1989 with their self-titled major-label debut album, which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. The album featured their hit single "Closer to Fine," which became an anthem for a generation.
Throughout the 1990s, the duo continued to achieve significant commercial and critical success. Their albums Swamp Ophelia (1994) and Shaming of the Sun (1997) both reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, solidifying their status as a prominent force in the music industry. In total, the Indigo Girls have released over 17 studio albums and have consistently charted on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart, with five of their releases reaching the top 5 in that category. Their enduring appeal is a testament to their consistent artistic integrity and their ability to connect with listeners on a profound level.
Navigating Treatment and Embracing Vulnerability
Despite the incurable nature of her conditions, Saliers is actively engaged in a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at managing her symptoms. This multifaceted approach includes therapeutic massage, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and acupuncture. Additionally, she receives Botox injections in her neck and shoulders, a common treatment for dystonia to reduce muscle spasms. She is also working with a vocal coach specializing in assisting singers who have been diagnosed with movement disorders.
"Unfortunately there’s no cure for these, so the honest fact is that my voice will not be what it was," Saliers candidly stated. "That’s really hard for me. Amy’s been super supportive, and we want you to know that as we get ready for these shows, we are doing everything we can to make the songs sound as good as they can possibly sound or ever sound, which includes all the modern digital tools that front-of-house engineers use to help singers sound better."
Saliers, who is 62 years old, also touched upon the broader implications of aging and health challenges, viewing her situation as part of a natural life process. "I hate that I’m only 62 and it’s happened to me, but we are both aging. People age. We are trying to look at this organically as a process of our own aging," she reflected.
A Wave of Support from Peers and Fans
The announcement has been met with an outpouring of love and support from the music community and fans alike. Bandmate Amy Ray has been a steadfast source of encouragement, as evidenced by Saliers’ mention of her support.
Chely Wright, a fellow artist, encapsulated the sentiments of many in a heartfelt comment on the Indigo Girls’ Instagram post: "You are the definition of authenticity, courage and grace."
Brandi Carlile, a Grammy-winning artist and a self-proclaimed lifelong fan of the Indigo Girls, shared the duo’s video update on her own Instagram account. Carlile, who famously covered the Indigo Girls’ iconic song "Cannonball" on her 2017 album Cover Stories, expressed the profound influence the duo has had on her career and artistry. "This is why these two have been my heroes and the only reason I ever picked up a guitar," Carlile wrote. "Being an @indigogirls fan is a life-long privilege. Indigo Girls fans already have an evolved perspective on aging and a deeper understanding of how badass vulnerability really is. This is because of the music they have given us. Wisdom breeds wisdom. To say we have Emily’s back is the understatement of the century. If you love to sing, Emily, sing. We will be there singing with you. We are the luckiest fans in the world – we know our verses, and we know the words to every song. Let’s sing them back at the Indigo Girls louder than ever."
The Indigo Girls are set to embark on their U.S. tour, kicking off in Athens, Ohio, on Friday, April 24th. The tour is scheduled to continue through mid-December, promising fans a chance to witness Saliers and Ray perform live as they navigate this new chapter. The overwhelming support underscores the deep connection the Indigo Girls have forged with their audience, a bond built on authenticity, shared values, and timeless music. This period of vulnerability for Emily Saliers has clearly strengthened the resolve and love of their devoted fanbase, who are ready to stand with the duo, singing along louder than ever.
