Is Al Di Meola OK? Renowned guitarist, 69, hospitalized after onstage heart attack during Romania concert
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA: Musician Al Di Meola, best known for his work in jazz fusion and world music, suffered a heart attack onstage during a concert in Romania but is now in stable condition, a hospital spokesperson told the Associated Press Thursday, September 28.
According to the outlet, the musician, 69, was performing a show in Bucharest on Wednesday evening. A photographer, Dragos Cristescu, who was covering the gig, noticed Di Meola grab his chest before experiencing difficulty walking off the stage.
Hospital's statement
Di Meola's band members played on for several minutes before the show was called off, the photographer told the outlet. The Bagdasar-Arseni emergency hospital released a statement to the news outlet, saying that Di Meola was sent to the cardiology ward and treated for a segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
What is a STEMI?
According to the American Heart Association, a STEMI is “caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.” The Minnesota Department of Health states that a STEMI is regarded as the most severe type of heart attack that affects about 250,000 Americans annually.
Di Meola's illustrious career
Di Meola's long career included his work as a member of the 1970s jazz fusion group Return to Forever, which also featured Chick Corea, Lenny White and Stanley Clarke, as well as collaborations with fellow guitarists John McLaughlin and Paco de Lucia.
He also explored world music, including Brazilian, African, flamenco, tango and Middle Eastern. As per his website, he has recorded with his World Sinfonia collective on such albums as 'World Sinfonia III – The Grande Passion' and 'Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody'.
The guitarist has sold 6 million records worldwide and won a Grammy in 1976.
The New Jersey native cited jazz guitarists Tav Farlow, Kenny Burrell, and Larry Coryell along with the Beatles as influences. Di Meloa spoke about working in different musical genres in an interview with Guitar World last year.
“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," he said. "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 is scheduled to play in Brazil, Argentina and parts of the United States, according to the itinerary for his 2023 tour.