I used to put on shows for everyone.

I'd dress up and I'd dance and I'd sing for them.

Imagine trying to sing when every breath is a battle.

I went into full-on lung failure.

I was in a coma for around three and a half weeks, and after that I had to be on oxygen...

And so that's when it changed.

On 9/11 I was a first responder.

I got there soon after the first two towers came down.

They say I've lost about a third of my lung function. I haven't sung since 2001.

My name is Gareth Malone, and I've made it my life's work to get unlikely people singing.

That's what we're doing here.

What's your particular breathing difficulty?

I have cystic fibrosis.

I ended up with COPD.

One side of my lung is collapsed.

I actually had a vocal haemorrhage.

I have asthma, and I have an auto-immune condition.

Breathing for singing is..., just needs a little bit of thought, and a little bit of warming up.

"Vhu vhu"

A little like a motorbike "Rrr Rrr".

OK you're just speaking!

That is talking!

What you're doing is actually making life harder for yourself 'cause you're going,

Dah dah dah dah dah. Wasting loads of breath.

This is the bit when you're going to be going (breathes heavily) at the end of it.

Every move you make.

Yeah! That's so much nicer!

Just at the very end! Just like I take a little breath before the "you".

I think people are going to forgive you!

This morning, I was singing in the shower. Not stuff from this performance, but just singing.

It just came to me, you know?

It's in tune! Yes!

You probably want to know where we are performing this.

It's known as the birthplace of dreams.

It's the Apollo Theater!

Every breath you take. Every move you make.

Every bond you break. Every step you take I'll be watching you.

Every single day. Every word you say.

Every game you play. Every night you stay I'll be watching you.

Oh can't you see? You belong to me.

How my poor heart aches with every step you take.

Every breath you take. Every move you make.

Every bond you break. Every step you take.

Every single day. Every word you say.

Every game you play. Every night you stay.

I'll be watching you.

When your body is so on the edge of dying or on the edge of pain, it's terrifying!

But it comes down to a moment when you have to really think:

Is this life going to be one you're going to be proud of, or not?

There's always a way to make life better.