Latest news with #GarryChristian
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'We saved The Christians drummer's life in front of thousands'
First aiders who raced to help a musician who suffered a cardiac arrest on stage have spoken about saving his life in front of thousands of Lionel Duke, 58, fell ill during a performance by his band The Christians at Liverpool's On The Waterfront festival on Sunday. He was given CPR on stage by medics from the Merseyside Water Rescue (MWR) charity and members of the crowd before being taken to Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, where he was put into an induced coma. His bandmates shared a photograph of him in hospital on Tuesday, smiling next to lead singer Garry Christian, with the caption "miracles do happen". Lewis Bridson, medical lead at MWR, told BBC Radio Merseyside he was in the vicinity of the stage when Duke fell ill, but did not immediately appreciate what was happening. "It looked to me personally that Lionel was doing some sort of sound check because he's quite far back at the stage drumming", he said. "Garry himself went over to check what was going on and we saw the panic happening, and Garry literally screaming out for medics. "We knew that it was actually quite serious."Mr Bridson, who works as a trainee nurse in his day job, rushed into action. He said: "It's not my first rodeo, we'll say, but it was definitely my first rodeo in front of a live audience. "It was very difficult to get to Lionel, there was hundreds of people in front of us, barriers we had to climb over and we literally had to leap up the stage to get to him." Mr Bridson began performing chest compressions and was joined by his colleague Steve Alcock, deputy operations manager at MWR. "There was lots of people involved all working for Lionel, but the crowd itself were very respectful," Mr Bridson said."No-one was shouting, and I don't think there was any videos of what was happening, which is really, really good. We kept his dignity in mind."Mr Alcock said the medical emergency highlighted the importance of learning CPR. "I think the more people who know how to do the basics of CPR, the better, he said. "It does save lives. Myself and Lewis have proven that this weekend in front of the best stage we can. It was literally on stage. "We've seen this gentleman who, if people hadn't have been there, would not have survived." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Christians hail drummer's 'miracle' recovery after on-stage collapse
The bandmates of a drummer who collapsed on stage at a festival in Liverpool after suffering a cardiac arrest have shared of photo of his "miracle" recovery in hospital days Duke of The Christians had to be put in an induced coma after falling ill during the On The Waterfront festival at Pier Head on a post of the soul band's Facebook, lead singer Garry Christian can be seen sitting in intensive care with Duke at Broadgreen Heart And Chest post said: "Miracles do happen... Lionel, we love you, man." Medics rushed on stage to help the drummer as the Christians, who are from Liverpool, performed ahead of Sting's headline slot at the festival. The band had only played two songs before he fell ill, and the event was paused while he was taken to of the band - who had a Top 10 hit in 1988 with their cover of the Isley Brothers' Harvest For The World - were urged to "send positive vibes" as Duke the update posted earlier, Christian said: "Look who I found in intensive care". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Sting support act thanks fans after drummer's onstage cardiac arrest
Lionel Duke, drummer for the band The Christians, suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed while opening for Sting at Liverpool's Pier Head on Sunday, June 22. Lead singer Garry Christian immediately called for help, and emergency responders treated Duke on stage before he was transported to hospital. The band issued a statement thanking fans for their support and praising the medical team for their swift action, asking for positive vibes for Duke. Audience members described the scene as terrifying but commended the quick response of medics and staff who provided privacy and dignity for Duke during treatment. Sting continued his performance with the band's blessing, updating the audience on Duke's condition and singing 'Fragile' in his honour, while the band's manager confirmed CPR was performed and a pulse was regained.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Singer shouts for medic as drummer suffers cardiac arrest during On The Waterfront
On The Waterfront was halted when The Christians drummer suffered what is believed to be a cardiac arrest on stage. The band were performing at the live music event at Liverpool Pier Head this evening when lead singer Garry Christian began shouting for medics to come onto the stage as his bandmate collapsed. As medics rushed onto the stage, a black privacy screen was erected and his bandmates tearfully watched on. The band were seen leaving the stage visibly emotional before an ambulance arrived to take the drummer away. The band's manager, Emma Bridget, appeared on stage shortly after to update the thousands of people in the crowd, telling them the drummer had suffered a cardiac arrest while performing. READ MORE: Sting issues update at start of On The Waterfront show after drummer suffers 'cardiac arrest' READ MORE: He refused to pay escort or even make her cup of tea then ditched her in pub car park She said: 'We were so looking forward to tonight it was going to be the big gig of the year and our lovely drummer has had a cardiac arrest. 'They've done four rounds of CPR on him. We're really hoping he is going to make it. He didn't have a pulse, he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much. 'I'm just so sorry because Garry loves Liverpool and he wanted to put on the show of his life and we're really devastated but thank you so much.' An announcement was made to the crowd that Sting's performance would go ahead with blessing from the band. As Sting took to the stage at 9.30pm, the headliner said the drummer was recovering in hospital as fans cheered the update. He said: 'The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him." Sunday was the closing night of the four-day live music event taking place on Pier Head, with fans visibly moved by the worrying scenes that unfolded on stage. On The Waterfront was repeatedly approached by the ECHO throughout the night for a comment on the scenes that unfolded on stage. The Christians had followed Traits and Sophie Grey, and were the final act before headliner Sting made his headline appearance. The Liverpool-based band were formed in 1985 and had the highest selling debut album of any artist at Island Records.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sting support act collapses with cardiac arrest as medics set up privacy screen
A live set by The Christians at Liverpool's Pier Head came to a sudden halt after a band member collapsed mid-performance, suffering what was described as a cardiac arrest. The band were the last act to play on Sunday before Sting took to the stage. Lead singer Garry Christian urgently called for medical help as the incident unfolded, prompting crew to set up a privacy screen on stage. Emergency responders quickly arrived, and the performer was treated before being taken away in an ambulance. A woman believed to be the band's manager, Emma Bridget, addressed the stunned crowd with an emotional update: 'We're really hoping he is going to make it. He didn't have a pulse, he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much. I'm just so sorry because Garry loves Liverpool and he wanted to put on the show of his life and we're really devastated but thank you so much.' Messages displayed to fans after the incident read: 'We appreciate your patience and understanding. Medical staff are with the performer, and we will provide an update as soon as we can.' The crowd, numbering in the thousands, remained quiet and concerned as the situation unfolded, Mirror UK reports. The former Police frontman arrived on stage and issued an update on the drummer's condition as he confirmed he has been taken to hospital. He said: 'The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him." Sting then said how he felt honoured to back in Liverpool for his first performance in the city since 1979. He said: "I apologise. I don't know what kept me. I'm happy to be in this historic music city. The most historic music city in the world for obvious reasons." Sting's performance was the final headline act of the 2025 festival. The other headline acts at the Pier Head this year included The Wombats, The Wolfe Tones and Cream Classical Ibiza. The Christians, from Liverpool, had the highest selling debut album of any artist at Island Records and international chart hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band took its name from the surname of the three original brothers in the lineup - a fitting choice that also happens to be guitarist Henry Priestman's middle name. The Christians were formed in 1985 by Garry Christian (lead vocals), Roger Christian (vocals and instrumentalist), Russell Christian (keyboards, saxophone, vocals), and Henry Priestman (keyboards, guitars, vocals). Priestman, although not a relative, shared the Christian name by coincidence. Early members also included Paul Barlow on drums, Mike Bulger on guitar and vocals, and Tony Jones on bass. Roger Christian stepped away from the group in 1987, choosing not to tour and instead focusing on a solo album. He later passed away in 1998 following a battle with a brain tumour.
