Jerry Gaskill, drummer for the progressive rock band King's X, suffered a heart attack last night (25 February), according to a Facebook posting by his bandmate DUg Pinnick.
"Jerry had a heart attack last night," Pinnick wrote today at approximately 3pm EST. "He was operated on and is in stable condition at the hospital. Were all waiting for more info. I will keep you posted."
Gaskill and Pinnick first started working together in 1979 in Springfield, Missouri. A year later, they met guitarist Ty Tabor. The three formed a band called Sneak Preview. In 1985, they moved to Houston, Texas and changed their name to King's X.
The Houston Press reports that the band, currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled Atlantic Records debut, was scheduled to begin a tour on 29 March.
MusicRadar sends best wishes to Gaskill for a full and speedy recovery.
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Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar World, Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.