WINNIPEG -- Burton Cummings is feeling "90 to 95% better" after a throat scare earlier this year left him wondering if he would ever sing again."

"I had to stop a show, apologize to the audience and walk offstage in the middle of a solo gig in Toronto," the 54-year-old singer said yesterday. "That was the worst night of my career, because I thought I was walking offstage for the very last time."

Cummings said he feared the worst at first, but a visit to renowned Beverly Hills throat specialist Joseph Sugerman left him feeling quite relieved.

"I had what is called leukoplakia on my vocal cords," he explained. "It's like the plaque you get on your teeth but it was in my throat and that, combined with an infection, meant that I couldn't sing anymore. Not the way I'm used to."

Under Sugerman's care, Cummings has been on cortisone medication. He's also stopped smoking and drinking and has cut carbonated drinks, caffeine and deep-fried food from his diet.

"It's like I'm on the road to Lourdes, here, man," he laughed. "But, in reality, I'm going to be 55 next year, and that's too old to be living the way I was."

Though the Guess Who had to cancel some shows on their summer tour due to Cummings' vocal problems, he said they're back to normal and that "These Eyes is back in the set, which is the one I really couldn't sing at first. I'm hitting all the notes now."