Rocker Dave Edmunds, most popular for his 1970 hit “I Hear You Knocking,” has been left hospitalized and fighting for his life after suffering a “major” cardiac arrest.
The popular Welsh musician’s wife, Karin Cecilia “Cici” Edmunds, shared the shocking news in a lengthy Facebook post on Thursday, July 29.
“My beloved husband of 40 years has had a major cardiac arrest,” she began. “He died in my arms while I desperately tried to keep him alive.”
Edmunds, 81, was ultimately revived after his wife and nurse administered “heavy CPR.”
“I’m still in shock, and I believe I have PTSD from the horrific experience,” his wife continued. “He very clearly has brain damage and severe memory loss.”
“The risk of yet another major cardiac arrest is high,” she added. “And if that occurs, there is no chance for Dave.”
“Dave will have a very long journey ahead of him if he survives. We both have,” Cici concluded. “But knowing that there are kind-hearted people such as you all makes this tremendously difficult journey a little easier.”
Born in Cardiff, Wales, on April 14, 1944, Edmunds had his breakthrough in 1968 when he joined the blues rock band Love Sculpture.
After Love Sculpture broke up in 1970, Edmunds went on to release his first solo album, “Rockpile,” in 1972.
“Rockpile” included the singer-songwriter’s cover of Smiley Lewis’ “I Hear You Knocking,” as well as a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Outlaw Blues.”
Edmunds’ cover of “I Hear You Knocking” quickly became a hit, and it spent six weeks at No. 1 in the UK.
The Welsh producer later formed his own band, also called “Rockpile,” in 1980.
He recruited revered musicians Nick Lowe, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams, and the group released their seminal album, “Seconds of Pleasure,” with the single “Teacher, Teacher” that same year.
After releasing his last album, an instrumental record titled “On Guitar Dave Edmunds: Rags & Classics,” Edmunds took a break from music in 2015.
“I’m just sitting back at the moment, and I’m planning the next year or so,” he told Ultimate Classic Rock during an interview ten years before his shocking health scare.
Brian Setzer, Edmunds’ close friend and former producer, also claimed that the “I Hear You Knocking” rocker officially retired from music and performing in July 2017.
“It’s with a bittersweet announcement that my good friend and guitar legend Dave Edmunds is retiring after tomorrow night’s show,” Setzer wrote on Facebook at the time.
“I wish him all the love in the world in his retirement!” Setzer added.
