While performing with the Korn tribute band Korn Again at the Rockstock Festival in Stockport, 28-year-old Alex Headen ended up suffering a stroke mid-song. Despite the serious medical issue, the drummer managed to finish the track before collapsing.
Headen told Manchester Evening News the following about the incident:
“I didn’t want to stop the song because it was so early in the set. I didn’t want to let the band or crowd down.
Never in a million years did I think I was having a stroke. I just thought I had low blood sugar or was dehydrated.
I thought, ‘If I get through this song, I can grab a fizzy drink or a bite to eat and carry on.
I started the show fine but by the fourth song my vision started to go blurry, then my left arm went numb and I dropped my drum stick.
I carried on playing with just my right arm but then I completely lost my vision in my left eye. The song finished and I collapsed on my drum kit.”
Headen was in the hospital for a week, undergoing various tests to see what caused the stroke. He said the following about that:
“They still don’t know the cause so I’m a little anxious about that. I can’t really remember much from the first or second days in hospital other than being very scared.
My walking has improved loads over the last few weeks. I’m still struggling with my left arm and shoulder, but I’m making good progress.
I’m very lucky that medics where close and helped me out. The [publicly funded national healthcare system] NHS [National Health Service] is a national treasure.”
Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch briefly commented via Instagram:
Metal Anarchy 