4 days ago
'70s Rocker Breaks Silence After Opening Act Suffers Cardiac Arrest Mid-Concert
'70s Rocker Breaks Silence After Opening Act Suffers Cardiac Arrest Mid-Concert originally appeared on Parade.
spoke out during his headlining performance at Liverpool's On The Waterfront music festival on Sunday night after a member of one of the preceding bands suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during the middle of their performance.
Lionel Duke, drummer for local band The Christians, was transported to the hospital after collapsing early on in the band's set, leading frontman Garry Christian to call for medics to rush to his aid, according to multiple reports.
A privacy screen was installed around Duke and his rescuers, with a notice put up on the festival's screens reading, 'We appreciate your patience and understanding. Medical staff are with the performer, and we will provide an update as soon as we can,' according to a photo shared by the Mirror. The crowd reportedly remained silent as responders worked to save his life.
Eventually, a spokesperson addressed the audience, according to the publication, confirming to fans that, while Duke had suffered a cardiac arrest, his heart started beating again thanks to the quick intervention. "We're really hoping he is going to make it,' she said. 'He didn't have a pulse, he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much.'
Duke's bandmates are said to have encouraged Sting to go on with his performance, and when the Police frontman finally started his set, he offered another update for the audience as he sent positive thoughts the musician's way: '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.'
As of writing, there have been no further updates about the drummer's condition. His band took to Facebook shortly after the show, sharing that they were "awaiting news from the Heart and Chest hospital at Broad Green" and sending their thanks to "the phenomenal team of medics present from On The Waterfront Liverpool team who stepped in so swiftly to help our poor Lionel."
On Monday, June 23, they followed up to thank Sting "for his concern and beautiful tribute to Lionel," but have yet to share more information about their bandmate's status.'70s Rocker Breaks Silence After Opening Act Suffers Cardiac Arrest Mid-Concert first appeared on Parade on Jun 23, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
