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Burton Cummings in good spirits after car accident in May

Burton Cummings says he was lucky to walk away from a recent car accident, but mentally, it has left a scar on the Canadian music icon.

Cummings spoke of road to recovery at SOCAN Awards in Toronto

'I'm very lucky to be walking around:' Burton Cummings on the aftermath of his May crash

6 years ago
Duration 1:25
Speaking from the SOCAN Awards in Toronto, the veteran Canadian rocker shares a health update about recovering from a serious Los Angeles car crash in May.

Burton Cummings says he was lucky to walk away from a recent car accident, but mentally, it has left a scar on the Canadian music icon.

The Winnipeg rocker and former Guess Who frontman was in good spirits in Toronto Monday night, offering an update on his health from the SOCAN Awards. At the ceremony, Cummings was recognized with a lifetime achievement honour.

"I'm very lucky to be walking around, I could have been killed, or maimed or disfigured or you know a lot of things," he said on the red carpet, ahead of the ceremony.

In May, Cummings was involved in a car accident in Los Angeles. He shared details of the crash in social media posts.

Although Cummings said Monday that he physically feels okay now, the incident still haunts him.

"Sometimes when I'm trying to drift off to sleep, I'm reliving the crash," he said. "I want to get that erased."

The singer-songwriter and musician says he wants to seek medical help to deal with his memory of the accident. In the meantime, however, Cummings said he's concentrating on the positive. 

"You know, I'm 70 now. I'm not trying to look 19 anymore, but I feel pretty good for my age."