Jon Gomm’s Journey through Adversity: The Stage fall That Changed Everything
It’s frequently enough said that you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s taken away. Acoustic guitar maestro Jon Gomm is experiencing this truth in a profound way: he’s currently unable to play his beloved instrument.
Recently,Gomm faced a serious injury known as an intra-articular displaced capitellum,which he straightforwardly describes as “a shattered elbow.” This injury is particularly concerning for Gomm, who is not just an ordinary guitarist. His unique percussive technique involves intricate arm movements, playing above and below the fretboard, and using his right hand to strike and tap the guitar, transforming it into a percussive powerhouse.
The incident took place on February 5 during a performance in Setúbal, Portugal.
(Image credit: Pascal Schmidt / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP)
“I was wrapping up a marvelous concert,” Gomm recounted on his website. “The venue was a cinema, so the stage was just a small area in front of the screen.”
“The shape was unusual, and the edges were unmarked. The entire space was dark, except for two spotlights shining directly into my eyes from the floor. I couldn’t see anything. I had requested a change in lighting from the stage, but it didn’t happen.”
During the performance, Gomm decided to engage with the audience by stepping down from the stage. As he cautiously felt for the edge with his bare feet, he suddenly found himself in free fall.
“I just miscalculated and stepped off,” he said.
He doesn’t recall the fall itself, only the aftermath.
“I must have landed squarely on my left elbow. It was about a two-meter drop onto a concrete floor.”
(Image credit: Pascal Schmidt / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP)
Understandably, he was also concerned about the fate of his guitar, an ibanez signature model. Gomm has two models, the JGM10 and JGM11, both featuring his innovative triple-source Fishman PowerTap Earth Pro pickup system. While he hasn’t specified which guitar he was using that night, it fortunately survived the fall much better than he did.
“My guitar, which was hanging at my side, was almost unscathed,” he shared, visibly relieved.
Gomm was quickly transported to a hospital, where X-rays revealed that the end of his humerus had been “snapped almost completely off.” This serious injury necessitated a significant plaster cast and subsequent surgery.
At another hospital, where he underwent a CT scan and prepared for surgery, Gomm made sure the medical team understood the gravity of the situation. He insisted they watch videos of him playing guitar “so they could grasp how crucial it was for me to have this elbow repaired!”
Among the videos was the one for “Passionflower,” which showcases his acrobatic, rhythm-heavy right-hand technique that has made him a viral sensation in the acoustic music scene.
the surgery resulted in two 28mm screws being placed in his humerus, along with a lengthy rehabilitation process before he can return to playing guitar.
injuries among guitarists are not uncommon. As an example, electric guitar legend Adrian Belew was sidelined by carpal tunnel syndrome after his tour with the King Crimson tribute band Beat, while Brian Setzer had to take a break due to an autoimmune disorder that hindered his ability to play.
Currently, Gomm is focused on recovery and adjusting to the limitations imposed by his injury. The emotional impact has been challenging to navigate.
“I’ve potentially lost my income, my career, my passion, my means of expression, my connection to the world-my value to the world,” he reflects. “My superpower, my sanctuary. My songs.”
He admits that the experience left him feeling “pretty down” and withdrawn for a time, although he also acknowledges how much worse the situation could have been.
“I could have broken my neck,” he points out. ”I often tell myself I wish it had been my neck. But I don’t truly mean that. I choose not to mean it.”
(Image credit: Courtesy Jon Gomm)
Progress has been gradual but encouraging. Gomm notes that his elbow has some movement, though it remains stiff and weak. Much of his time is now dedicated to physical therapy.
“Honestly, I’m focused on nothing else. Just trying to gain one more degree of bend, half a degree more stretch,” he explains.
Fortunately, medical professionals are optimistic about his recovery.
“The doctors and therapists are confident that I’ll regain most, if not all, of my functionality,” he shares.
“I despise that ‘almost’ so much, but they’ve all seen the ‘Passionflower’ video and remain completely assured. So, I’m trying to stay positive, most of the time.”
Looking ahead, he has set his sights on returning to the stage for his Acoustic Bootcamp this summer, followed by a tour across Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the fall. Originally planned as a grand 30-date tour, they’ve opted for a shorter schedule.
Additionally, american fans may have the opportunity to see him at Andy mckee’s Musicarium, taking place from July 22-26 in Moab, Utah.
