Latest news with #TheChristians
The Independent
12 hours 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
16 hours 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.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drummer has cardiac arrest on festival stage
A festival was halted after a drummer collapsed on stage after suffering a cardiac arrest while performing in front of thousands of fans. The Christians' Lionel Duke fell ill while the band were supporting Sting during the On The Waterfront festival at Liverpool's Pier Head on Sunday night. The Liverpool band's manager said the 58-year-old had been put in an "induced coma" after an operation at the city's Heart and Chest Hospital. The band asked fans to "please send positive vibes his way" and they praised the "phenomenal team of medics" from the festival who "stepped in so swiftly to help our poor Lionel". Lead singer Gary Christian had called for help after Duke collapsed with medics rushing on stage. Manager Emma Roberts said "it was a shock" as he was a "very fit regular swimmer". The Christians had just performed two songs before Duke became ill and were due to perform their biggest hit Harvest for the World later. The band were performing ahead of Sting who was headlining the four-day event. The former Police singer performed his set after being given The Christians' blessing. Fans recalled the "terrifying" moment the performance stopped and black screens went up. A sign was put up telling the crowd medical staff were with the performer. One fan said on Facebook: "It was frightening to see." Another added: "We were at the concert when this happened. Everyone was so professional and the crowd respectful. "It really felt like he had everyone's support and love - the audience were kept updated and the tribute by Sting singing Fragile as his last song was very emotional. "Such a bittersweet night." Others sent their love, prayers and best wishes to Duke and his family. The Christians were formed in the 1980s and their self-titled debut album reached number two in the UK charts. Last year 45,000 people attended the On The Waterfront festival. 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. Former Bauhaus singer suffers heart attack Music and sport stars support anti-racism festival Folk singer David Olney dies on stage mid-song The Christians
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Christians' drummer has heart attack on Liverpool waterfront stage
A festival was halted after a drummer collapsed on stage with a heart attack while performing in front of thousands of Christians' Lionel Duke fell ill while the band were supporting Sting during the On The Waterfront festival at Liverpool's Pier Head on Sunday Liverpool band's manager said the 58-year-old had been put in an "induced coma" after an operation at the city's Heart and Chest band asked fans to "please send positive vibes his way" and they praised the "phenomenal team of medics" from the festival who "stepped in so swiftly to help our poor Lionel". Lead singer Gary Christian had called for help after Duke collapsed with medics rushing on Emma Roberts said "it was a shock" as he was a "very fit regular swimmer".The Christians had just performed two songs before Duke became ill and were due to perform their biggest hit Harvest for the World band were performing ahead of Sting who was headlining the four-day event. The former Police singer performed his set after being given The Christians' recalled the "terrifying" moment the performance stopped and black screens went up. A sign was put up telling the crowd medical staff were with the fan said on Facebook: "It was frightening to see."While another added: "We were at the concert when this happened. Everyone was so professional and the crowd respectful. "It really felt like he had everyone's support and love - the audience were kept updated and the tribute by Sting singing Fragile as his last song was very emotional."Such a bittersweet night." Others sent their love, prayers and best wishes to Duke and his family. The Christians were formed in the 1980s and their self-titled debut album reached number two in the UK year 45,000 people attended the On The Waterfront festival. 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.
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sting's heartwrenching tribute to drummer who collapsed live on stage
Sting shared a touching tribute to The Christians drummer Lionel Duke, who suffered a cardiac arrest while on stage in Liverpool over the weekend Sting shared a moving tribute to The Christians' Lionel Duke following his cardiac arrest on stage. The drummer who was supporting the legendary musician in Liverpool left fans concerned after he appeared to collapse before going into arrest at the iconic Pier Head on Sunday. Lead singer of the band, Garry, requested urgent assistance from the medical teams before a privacy screen was set up on stage. It was during this time that medics worked rapidly to perform CPR on Lionel, whose heart had stopped beating. Lionel was subsequently rushed to the hospital via ambulance after the emergency staff managed to resuscitate him. But while many wondered whether the show would continue, Sting, 73, later took to the stage and reassured fans who had packed the waterfront that Lionel was doing ok and was receiving treatment. One fan who was in attendance said: "We were kept updated, and Sting sang 'Fragile' after asking us all to hold Lionel in our thoughts." A second penned: "We were at the Waterfront - Sting was updating us all in the crowd and wished Lionel well and encouraged us all to think for him and sang Fragile as the final song for the evening." While on stage, the Grammy Award-winning musician 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." As the sad incident unfolded, event organisers kept fans updated throughout with messages being displayed on huge screens. One read: "We appreciate your patience and understanding. Medical staff are with the performer, and we will provide an update as soon as we can." Shortly after, a spokesperson for the band, who is believed to be their manager, shared an update with fans – explaining that Lionel had suffered a cardiac arrest. She said: "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." The band also encouraged Sting to perform. Earlier today, the band issued a statement on social media on Lionel's condition, explaining they are still awaiting news. They said: "Thank you so much to 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." Fans of the group rushed to offer their support, with one praising the medical team for their swift response. They said: "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 make shift curtain whilst they performed the c.p.r I know he is in good hands at Broadgreen." A second went on to write: "It was terrifying to see poor Lionel slump forward. I was so proud of the respect the Liverpool crowd showed falling silent, no photos and many people turned around. We were kept updated, and Sting sang 'fragile' after asking us all to hold Lionel in our thoughts. Wishing him a speedy recovery. He is in good hands at Broadgreen." Another typed: "It was very worrying when Lionel slumped forwards onto his drums. Seeing the black screens go up. They were working on him on the stage for a while. I'm so pleased he is doing OK. It was frightening to see. Best wishes to Lionel." "It was so awful to witness! Sending love and positive energy for a speedy recovery for Lionel. And sending love to Garry and the rest of the band too who must have been incredibly shaken," added a fourth.
