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Lionel Duke, the drummer for the band The Christians, described feeling incredibly fortunate to be alive after collapsing during a performance at a festival. The incident took place in June at Liverpool’s On The Waterfront festival, where Duke suffered a cardiac arrest on stage at Pier Head. Medics quickly responded as the band played ahead of the headline act, Sting. Following the emergency, Duke was placed in an induced coma and admitted to intensive care.
The band, known for their 1988 Top 10 hit cover of the Isley Brothers’ “Harvest For The World,” had only completed two songs when the drummer fell seriously ill. The event was immediately halted, and Duke was rushed to hospital. Reflecting on the ordeal, the 58-year-old father of two said, “Everyone thought I was going to die. I’m still in shock about what happened but I feel blessed I’m still here.” He recounted the critical moments during treatment, including twelve minutes of intense resuscitation efforts and an off-duty nurse’s grim assessment at the scene.
Duke credited the quick intervention of medics and people in the crowd for his survival. He received CPR on the spot from emergency personnel associated with the Merseyside Water Rescue charity. Afterward, he was transferred to Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, where he remained for eight days. Despite being an appliance fitter by profession, Duke expressed his deep passion for music and playing drums. He acknowledged the lingering emotional impact of the event, saying, “I still get emotional thinking about what happened. It’s a lot to take in. I feel so lucky to be alive.”
Following his recovery, Duke was invited by Sting to perform with The Christians at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. The drummer, who has also worked at John Lewis for 15 years, shared that Sting embraced him backstage, highlighting a heartfelt reunion. Duke admitted surprise at the sudden health scare, noting the absence of clear warning signs and occasional flashbacks. “Now I wake up in the morning, and think it is so nice to wake up,” he said, grateful for a second chance at life and music
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