Rick Springfield has recently disclosed a shocking revelation: he sustained brain damage from a fall on stage in 2000, a fact he only learned about recently. At 75 years old, Springfield experienced a serious accident while performing in Las Vegas, where he lost his footing and fell, initially believing he had merely injured his arm.

“I fell 25 feet, hit my head, and then wood came down and hit my head again before my head hit the stage once more,” Springfield explained in a recent interview with People. “At the time, I thought I had just broken my wrist.”

READ MORE: Why Rick Springfield Felt ‘Preyed On’ Early in His Career

After undergoing a comprehensive whole-body MRI scan, he discovered the true extent of his injuries: “I found out I have some brain damage from the fall, so I’m actively working on trying to repair that.” Springfield shared that he understands many individuals prefer to ignore health issues, but he believes in being proactive when something feels off. This philosophy was deeply influenced by the premature death of his father, which could have been avoided.

“My dad died from not wanting to know,” he recounted. “He suspected he had stomach cancer for years but never sought medical advice. When he finally collapsed at home, doctors discovered it was a ruptured ulcer, and he ultimately died from excessive blood loss. If he had only gotten it checked, it could have been treated.”

Springfield viewed this as a “giant message.” “To live a long life, you have to be prepared for some difficult news now and then,” he stated. “I could learn tomorrow that I have terminal cancer and be gone in a year, but I can only control what I can.”

Rick Springfield’s Journey with Ketamine for Mental Health

Despite the challenges, Springfield expresses that he still feels youthful in many aspects, stating, “I see people dying from old age and disease, and I think, ‘Wow, I’m the same age as those elderly folks!’”

Two years ago, he significantly reduced his alcohol consumption, describing this shift as a “natural thing.” He shared, “I’ll enjoy a few sips of vodka or something while I’m on stage, but I don’t drink at any other time.”

Recently, he explored the use of ketamine to address his long-standing battle with depression. “I wanted to see if it would unlock some things in my brain,” Springfield explained.

“It was an experiment in creativity. I followed the recommended usage, but I wasn’t particularly impressed. It made me feel heavy and mechanical. While it didn’t bring significant changes, I have been writing a lot, so perhaps the effects will reveal themselves in time. It’s not a straightforward outcome.”