I haven't examined this issue specifically, but I've heard rumors that Radiohead's Thom Yorke (once known for his fantastic voice) has his voice spoiled for a while, in the studios his vocals are also being polished using auto-tuning. (Many rock stars don't know how to take care of their voices).
but how real is the person behind it
sometimes that does not matter, if you like the recording, you can simply enjoy it without digging more into a performer?.. especially when there is not much of a real person behind it, but a marketing product, lol 😜
I am also a Radiohead fan, but you may know that already.
Agreed, but on a live performance, hearing an ill vocal would do nothing for me. Some of these 'old dudes' seem to have retained their voices and others have gone. I was listening to a recent 'Phil Oakey' yesterday, and he sounds just like the Phil of old, live and now.
Hearing ill or wrecked vocal of an artist who once was great (and you remember it) would add more sadness, would only make you remember about the better times, better versions, instead of enjoying performance. imo.