Earl Slick Recalls David Bowie Trying to Play Through Onstage Heart Attack
Longtime guitarist Earl Slick has opened up about the dramatic moment David Bowie suffered a heart attack on stage during a 2004 tour stop, revealing that the legendary artist initially tried to push through the performance.
Speaking to Guitar Player, Slick reflected on Bowie’s final outing, A Reality Tour, which was ultimately cut short due to health issues. Despite the tragic ending, Slick remembered the lineup as the best touring band he ever played in with Bowie, describing it as an entirely drama-free environment where the singer was notably relaxed and happy.
A ‘Weird Gig’ in Prague
The medical emergency unfolded during a concert in Prague. Slick recalled that the venue felt exceptionally hot and that he initially misread the situation when Bowie began struggling with his vocals.
“It was a really weird gig. At first I couldn’t figure out what was going on. It was hotter than hell in the place, and I could see he was having a hard time hitting some notes. I thought he was just baked. We were all baked,” Slick said.
As the band performed “The Jean Genie,” Bowie turned to his guitarist with instructions to keep the music going while experiencing a cardiac event. According to Slick, Bowie told him to “keep vamping, just jam” while actively having a heart attack. Tour managers quickly intervened, pulling Bowie off the stage. Though Bowie briefly returned a few minutes later, he lasted only a measure or two before walking off for good.
Misdiagnosis and the End of A Reality Tour
Slick explained that the initial medical assessment missed the true severity of the situation, noting that they were told Bowie suffered from a blocked nerve.
Attempting to keep the tour moving forward, the band gathered in Germany a few days later. Slick recalled visiting Bowie, who was feeling horrible, before playing a full show. Afterward, the crew was told to sit tight in Hamburg before receiving the final word.
“And then we get phone calls saying, ‘Guys, we’re done. You gotta go home,’” Slick said. “We didn’t get an explanation; we all knew he was probably getting some kind of surgery, but we weren’t getting any details about it.”
Despite his declining health, Slick noted that Bowie maintained moments of brilliance on stage, remembering a performance of “Heroes” at a German festival as one of the finest vocal deliveries of the track, just hours before Bowie was admitted to the hospital.
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