Rocker Dave Edmunds is critically ill in hospital

[Canada]

Source: Metro.co.uk

Rocker Dave Edmunds is critically ill in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest which has left him with brain damage.

The 1970s rock star, 81, is best known for his Christmas number one hit I Hear You Knocking.

He is said to have died before being revived by a nurse at his home in Monmouthshire.

Edmunds’ wife of 40 years shared an emotional update on Facebook, revealing that he had ‘died in my arms while I desperately tried to keep him alive’.

Cici explained in her social media post that their nurse was ‘pumping away really hard performing heavy CPR’ before adding: ‘She shouts out Cici I’m gonna stop, Dave is gone. He is dead Cici.’

However, Cici vowed that she ‘refuse[d] to give in or give up on a miraculous intervention, anything to get my husband back alive’.

Recounting the terrifying experience, she continued: ‘I’m still wiping fluid off his body parts, especially his mouth to clear his airways. Every second is vital. So no time for emotions here.

‘But oh boy I’m in shock and extremely ill health end myself as most of you wonder [sic.] kindhearted friends [and] loved ones know.’

She added that she was ‘still in shock’ and believed she had ‘PTSD from the horrific experience’.

Cici recounted that doctors in the ICU had then ‘intubated Dave after a miracle resurrecting him for a moment’.

‘He very clearly has brain damage and severe memory loss etc. And the risk of yet another major cardiac arrest is high. And if that occurs there is no chance for Dave,’ she shared.

Cici finished the update by thanking everyone for their ‘support and well wishes’.

‘Dave will have a very long journey ahead of him if he survives. We both have. But knowing that there are kind hearted people such as you all makes this tremendously difficult journey a little easier.’

Edmunds began his musical career as a youngster, playing alongside his older brother Geoff in the Edmunds Bros Duo and the Stompers, later called the Heartbeats, before moving to the 99ers and then fronting his first band – the Raiders.

Love Sculpture, formed by the core members of his previous band Human Beans, offered Edmunds his first taste of charts success with their reworking of composer Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance, which impressed BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel.

Edmunds’s Christmas hit, I Hear You Knocking, was a solo chart-topper in 1970, after Love Sculpture spit

It also reached number four in the US, selling over three million copies.

He had further UK Top 10 hits in the decade with Baby I Love You, which reached number eight in 1973, and Born to Be With You, which reached number five later that year.

Girls Talk peaked at number four in 1979.

Edmunds also trained as a music producer, working with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Status Quo, Stray Cats and Fabulous Thunderbirds.

After collaborating with ELO’s Jeff Lynne on two songs for his 1983 album Information, Edmunds had been living in Wales, occasionally touring and performing.

This included playing as a member of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band for tours in 1992 and 2000.