Latest news with #OnTheWaterfront
BBC News
3 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pop-rock band's drummer collapses on stage from cardiac arrest
The drummer of a popular English band was rushed to the hospital after experiencing an onstage medical incident. Lionel Duke, of The Christians, collapsed from cardiac arrest at On The Waterfront Liverpool Sunday night as the band was opening for Sting. The drummer 'was treated by the amazing OTWF team and medics within the audience onstage following @ plea for help," the band wrote on Instagram Monday. 'He remains in ICU in an induced ventilated coma and is being described as 'stable' currently,' The Christians continued. 'Our thanks also to @theofficialsting for his concern and beautiful tribute to Lionel." The band updated fans on Duke's condition Tuesday morning by posting a photo on Facebook of the drummer smiling from his hospital bed. 'Miracles do happen,' the post read. 'Look who I found in Intensive Care. Lionel, we love you man.' The Christians are band from Liverpool, England that incorporates the genres of soul, pop and rock. The group achieved its greatest success in the late 1980s with the hit singles 'Forgotten Town,' 'Hooverville (And They Promised Us the World),' 'When the Fingers Point,' 'Ideal World,' and 'Born Again,' which were all off The Christians' 1987 self-titled debut album. The Christians achieved some commercial success in the '90s. Their sophomore album 'Colour' topped the U.K. albums chart while the tracks 'Words,' 'I Found Out,' and 'Greenbank Drive' all charted on the U.K. singles chart. The group disbanded in 1995 before reuniting after founding member Roger Christian died from a brain tumor in 1998. The Christians put out three more studio albums — 'Prodigal Sons' (2003) 'Speed of Life' (2012) and 'We' (2015) — in addition to re-releasing their first two albums as 25th anniversary editions. The Christians have numerous shows lined up for the rest of the summer, and into the fall and winter. The group's next scheduled performance is Saturday. Country singer Cole Swindell to headline The Big E Arena for fall 2025 90s R&B icons announce co-headling tour Iconic country band gives surprise performance at Mass. wedding 'My heart just hit the ground': Legendary rock guitarist, dead at 81 Reneé Rapp announces 2025 tour, here's how to buy tickets Read the original article on MassLive.
ITV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Drummer of Sting support act The Christians suffers 'cardiac arrest' onstage in Liverpool
A Liverpool band was forced to abruptly end their set after its drummer had a suspected cardiac arrest on stage. The Christians were playing at Liverpool's On The Waterfront event on Sunday 22 June, when drummer Lionel Duke suddenly collapsed. In a statement posted on social media following the incident, the band said: "Thank you so much for all the many many messages regarding our drummer Lionel Duke who suffered a cardiac arrest while performing at tonight's amazing concert ahead of Sting."We are awaiting news from the Heart and Chest hospital at Broad Green and thank the phenomenal team of medics present from On The Waterfront Liverpool team who stepped in so swiftly to help our poor Lionel. "Please send positive vibes his way." The band were performing ahead of Sting for the packed event at the Pier Head. The band's lead singer Garry Christian shouted for medics and a black screen was put up. The band's manager Emma Bridget appeared on stage shortly after to update the thousands in the crowd. 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.' Fans of the Liverpool-based band expressed their support. Mike Landsborough said: "I was at the gig in the front seen it all unfold. What swift action by his band and first aid responders and the event staff for making it dignified by shielding Lionel with a makeshift curtain whilst they performed the CPR. Our thoughts are with Lionel his family and his band family."The Christians were the final act to perform last night before headliner Sting made his appearance. As Sting took to the stage at 9.30pm, he said Mr Duke was recovering in hospital as fans cheered the 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."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'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.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sting support act pictured in hospital after collapsing live on stage
The drummer from Sting's supporting act, The Christians, suddenly collapsed while at the On The Waterfront festival on Sunday evening Sting's return to Liverpool recently took a sombre turn when the drummer from his support act, The Christians, collapsed mid-performance. The frontman, Garry Christian, cried out for help when drummer Lionel Duke collapsed at the On The Waterfront festival on Sunday. A privacy screen was soon put up around him before he was rushed off the stage, checked by the onsite medical staff, and taken to the hospital. The band's manager, Emma Bridget, revealed he was doing okay, despite initially not having a pulse, and was receiving medical attention. "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," she said. READ MORE: DAZN lets Club World Cup fans watch every game for free if they do one thing "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." Two days after the shock medical emergency, The Christians took to their Facebook page to share an update with a picture of Lionel recovering in hospital. In the picture, Lional was wearing a hospital gown and was connected to IV drips as he smiled for the camera from his seat. Garry sat close by with his arm placed around the drummer. "He made it," they captioned the post and added a flexing emoji. Fans rushed to the comment section to share their support for Lionel and the band. "I believe in Miracles and take into account amazing medical intervention. Wishing you a speedy recovery," one user said and another added: "So pleased to see you on the mend. We was there on Sunday and haven't stopped thinking about you." One fan commented: "I can't tell you how happy this photo makes me. Go Lionel!" and one added: "Brilliant news! Well done to all who helped save him." Despite the shock, The Christians reportedly encouraged Sting to proceed with his headline set, offering their full support. When he eventually appeared on stage, Sting made sure to acknowledge what had happened, opening his performance with a few quiet, heartfelt words about the drummer's condition: '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.' It was a rare emotional moment for the legendary artist, whose appearance marked his first performance in Liverpool since 1979. Reflecting on the city's deep musical legacy and its connection to his own roots, the former Police frontman added: "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.'
