The musician Sting has extended a special invitation to Liverpool band The Christians following a serious medical emergency during their joint performance in June. The band's drummer, Lionel Duke, suffered a heart attack on stage at the On The Waterfront festival, prompting an immediate and supportive response from the former Police frontman.
In a recent interview, The Christians' lead singer Garry Christian detailed the events of that day and praised Sting for his compassion, which included an offer to cancel his own headline performance. Now, with Duke recovered, Sting has invited the entire band to be his guests at the final show of his UK tour.
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool band The Christians' drummer, Lionel Duke, had a heart attack on stage in June.
- The incident occurred while the band was supporting Sting at the On The Waterfront festival.
- Sting offered to cancel his performance and dedicated his final song to the drummer.
- He has now invited the band to his final UK tour date in London on October 28.
- Lionel Duke has fully recovered and is performing again with the band.
A Frightening Incident at On The Waterfront
The Christians were performing for a crowd of 14,000 people in their home city when the concert took an unexpected turn. The band had just started their set when frontman Garry Christian noticed something was wrong with the music.
"In the intro of the next song, I was thinking this doesn't sound right," Christian explained. "I'm facing the audience, so I don't know what's going on behind me. I look around and I saw Lionel hunched over his kit."
Initially thinking it was a minor technical issue, Christian quickly realised the situation was far more serious. He rushed over to the drum kit to find Lionel Duke unresponsive.
"I realised he wasn't moving and I dashed over there. I had to crouch down. I looked at his face and his eyes were just fixed. Then it all went crazy."
Christian immediately called for medics, whose swift actions were crucial. Duke was taken to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, a procedure that ultimately saved his life.
Sting's Immediate Support and Respectful Offer
As the medical emergency unfolded, Sting, the headline act for the evening, was kept informed of the situation. According to Garry Christian, the world-renowned artist showed immense concern and was prepared to cancel his own show out of respect for what had happened.
"Sting was very gracious," Christian recalled. "He wasn't going to do his gig but our manager Emma insisted that he did. Lionel had been rushed to hospital, his heart was going and everything seemed like it was going to be fine."
A Moving Tribute
With thousands of fans waiting, Sting proceeded with his performance. He concluded his set by dedicating his song "Fragile" to Lionel Duke, a moment Christian described as "so emotional."
This act of solidarity on the night was deeply appreciated by the band during a very difficult time. It demonstrated a level of professional respect and personal compassion that went beyond the typical concert dynamic.
Drummer's Recovery and Return to the Stage
Following the successful surgery, Lionel Duke began his recovery. The band has confirmed that he has now made a full recovery and has already returned to performing.
He is currently on tour with The Christians and fellow band The Blow Monkeys. The tour includes an upcoming performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic on October 16, which will be a significant homecoming for Duke after the summer's events.
Christian expressed confidence in his bandmate's resilience, attributing it to a characteristic Scouse spirit. He humorously referenced local UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett, saying, "It's like what Paddy the Baddy says, 'We're Scousers, we don't get knocked out'."
The Christians: A Liverpool Legacy
Formed in Liverpool in 1985, The Christians are known for their soul-influenced pop music. Their 1987 self-titled debut album was a major success, reaching number 2 in the UK Albums Chart and selling over a million copies. The band has maintained a dedicated following for decades.
The upcoming Liverpool show is expected to be a special occasion, allowing local fans to see Duke back in action and show their support. "It will be a good chance for them to see Lionel and to see how he is," Christian added.
A Gracious Invitation and Future Plans
Sting's support did not end on the night of the festival. Garry Christian revealed that the artist, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, has remained in contact to check on Duke's well-being.
As a further gesture of goodwill, Sting has invited the entire band to attend his concert in London as his personal guests.
"He was asking about Lionel and he's invited us to his last gig of his tour in London on October 28. It's a great gesture, so hats off to him."
With their drummer healthy and their tour underway, The Christians are also looking toward the future. The band is considering plans to mark the 40th anniversary of their acclaimed 1987 debut album with a new record and tour.
Christian, who grew up in Tuebrook and now lives in Speke, remains passionate about performing. "I would play to three people, 300 or 3,000, it's the way I am. I love performing and it's all I can do," he stated. He believes the traumatic experience has reinforced his perspective on life: "Enjoy every day, stop arguing with each other, get on with life and be happy."
The Christians will perform with The Blow Monkeys at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on October 16.