Lee Villarreal performs at 3rd annual Vaquero Breakfast in San Antonio, Texas, on January 26, 2024. | Photo: Vic Gonzalez/Tejano Nation
Tejano singer and musician Lee Villarreal of Los Desperadoz opened up about his long-standing battle with vocal cord issues and the surgeries that followed in an intimate and revealing interview with KENS 5 anchor Henry Ramos. Villarreal’s struggle with his voice began nearly two decades ago, a journey marked by persistence, hope, and an unwavering love for music.
“Back about 17, 18 years ago, I was singing and everything was fine…then I started to notice a change in my voice,” Villarreal shared. The sudden halt in his ability to sing left him searching for answers, leading to a misdiagnosis of acid reflux and a series of ENT consultations. It wasn’t until a doctor in San Antonio discovered a cyst on his vocal cords that Villarreal began to understand the gravity of his condition.
Despite an initial surgery in 2007, Villarreal’s voice did not recover as hoped. “I never recovered from it…I tried and everybody would say, ‘You got to give it some time,’” he recalled. The subsequent procedure in Houston, which involved transferring fat to his vocal cords, set him back further, leaving him unable to carry a conversation, let alone sing.
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Years of silent struggle and intermittent glimmers of hope ensued, with Villarreal noticing occasional days when his voice would return, only to disappear again. It was this rollercoaster of emotions and the support of his brother and band member Mike Villarreal that kept him going. “Thank God for my brother Mike…he stepped up and the way that the sound guy would mix us together so that I was there enough but not overbearing,” Villarreal expressed with gratitude.
The turning point came with a recent consultation with a San Antonio physician, who suggested a new approach involving a filler to test the waters, followed by a more permanent solution if successful. “Wednesday is going to be my follow up, and this surgery was on the 18th of May,” Villarreal stated, hopeful for a positive outcome.
Throughout the ordeal, Villarreal’s faith and the prayers of his fans have been a source of strength. “I have a lot of support…a lot of prayers,” he said, visibly moved by the outpouring of love. As he awaits the results of his upcoming surgery, Villarreal’s message to his fans is one of perseverance and gratitude: “Regardless of the turnout…the love that I have for my fans, my family, I can’t even express how much love that I have for everybody.”
Lee Villarreal Interview with KENS 5
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Lee Villarreal’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community. As he looks forward to recording and re-recording his past work, his journey serves as an inspiration to all who face their own battles, reminding us that with patience and support, we can overcome the greatest of challenges.
Los Desperadoz are an award-winning Tejano music band based in San Antonio, Texas. The group, which started fresh out of high school in the late 1980s, earned a sizable fan base in the ’90s through constant touring. Their string of albums for EMI Latin, beginning in 1992, captivated audiences with their unique sound and infectious rhythms. The band traces their heritage to the pioneering Los Hermanos Villarreal, led by their grandfather, Librado Villarreal, in the 1940s and early ’50s. Today, the band is led by three brothers: Singer-accordionist Mike Villarreal, singer-bajo sexto player Lee Villarreal, and drummer P.J. Villarreal. Over the years, Los Desperadoz has become a household name in the Tejano music scene winning two Tejano Music Awards and receiving two Latin GRAMMY nominations.
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