Well-known American guitarist Al Di Meola is in stable condition after he suffered a heart attack on stage Wednesday while performing in Romania.
Photographer Dragos Cristescu, who was present at the time, told the Associated Press that Di Meola, 69, was performing alongside his band when he started grabbing his chest and experienced difficulty leaving the stage.
Cristescu told the news outlet two members of Di Meola’s trio continued playing before giving up and calling off the show.
Di Meola was later admitted to Bagdasar-Arseni Emergency Hospital where it was revealed that Di Meola was undergoing a segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
According to the American Heart Association, a STEMI is a heart attack that is “caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.”
The Cleveland Clinic says that “they are named for how they change the appearance of your heart’s electrical activity on a certain type of diagnostic test” while adding that the heart attacks tend to be “more severe and dangerous compared to other types of heart attack.
Research done by the clinic reveals that nearly 280,000 people who have a STEMI in the U.S. each year.
A hospital spokesperson later claimed that Di Meola was in stable condition.
“Dear friends and family I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love and support that I’ve received during the last 24 hours,” wrote Di Meola on Instagram. “Unfortunately, I’m facing a medical situation that requires some time off from performing and touring. I want to assure you that I’m receiving the best care possible, and I’m fully committed to making a complete recovery.”
“Music has always been a source of healing and strength for me, and I can’t wait to be back on stage, sharing my music with all of you. The energy and connection I feel when I perform are truly special, and I always felt that I can say things throughout the years with my music more than words can express,” continued the post.
“I’m planning to return in 2024, and I’m already looking forward to making music together once again. Your unwavering support means the world to me, and it’s a driving force in my journey towards recovery.”
Stephanie, Di Meola’s wife, confirmed to the Post that her husband was in stable condition and would be resuming his tour in 2024.
Di Meola’s incredible career began in the 1970s when he joined the jazz fusion group Return to Forever.
Six years later, the New Jersey native won a Grammy Award for his album “World Sinfonía III – The Grande Passion and Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody” which Di Meola claimed was influenced by several different types of music including Brazilian, African, flamenco, tango and Middle Eastern.
“If you feel you want to do that and you have a certain slant on a different style, there would be nothing stopping a musician from doing anything they wanted to do really,” said Di Meola in an interview with Guitar World. “If you’re doing something you don’t like, then that’s a good gauge for knowing that you shouldn’t be doing it.”
Di Meola also once claimed that much of his music was inspired by legends such as jazz guitarists Tav Farlow, Kenny Burrell and Larry Coryell and The Beatles.
According to Di Meola’s website, the jazz guitarist is slated to play in Brazil, Argentina and parts of the U.S.
With Post Wires.