By Paul Bowen
Jerry Naylor, lead singer with The Crickets from 1961 to 1965, has been fighting to save his sight for the greater part of 2015…
After some issues he was experiencing, he was diagnosed with a problem where a group of blood clots filled the nerves to blood vessels in his eyes which, in turn, caused a rush of blood from an artery that couldn’t find a way through, resulting in a burst.
This has resulted in Jerry experiencing a loss of sight in his right eye and severely reduced sight, approximately 20% only, in his left eye.
In early June, Jerry had a biopsy taken from the right eye, which is totally lost and will hopefully result in some answers for the consultants to see if there is any way forward for improved vision in the left eye. Jerry told me he has had medication reduced, which may also help the cause.
The Crickets 1961-Sonny Curtis.Jerry Allison. Jerry Naylor.Glen D. Hardin
This has come at the wrong time for Jerry, as he is currently working on a new album, which he had hoped for release later this year. The project has been temporarily put on hold for the time being.
Although he has been through a rough patch over the past few months, Jerry, who turned 76 in March, remains upbeat and positive about life and his career.
During our conversations, Jerry often recalls his 2013 visit to the UK where he was overwhelmed by the reception he received at all his points of call.