Phil Vassar Survives Heart Attack and Stroke: ‘I Was Dead’
The country singer is on the mend after suffering two major medical emergencies.
Photo Courtesy Phil Vassar
Phil Vassar, known for hits like “Just Another Day In Paradise” and “Six-Pack Summer,” recently opened up about a medical emergency that caused him to die, not just once, but twice, last year.
In an interview with Taste of Country, the 62-year-old revealed that he suffered a heart attack while at home in early 2023. This cardiac event took place after a run of Christmas shows with Deana Carter. After the tour, Vassar said he felt very run down and couldn’t shake it.
“I don’t remember any of it, but I know I wasn’t feeling well,” Vassar explained. “And I just had genetic heart disease. Cause I wasn’t a drinker and a partier, or any of that. I worked out every day. You know, I kept feeling bad, so I kept really concentrating on my health and trying to — I never ate anything fried or anything like that. Never did. It just caught up with me, you know, the genes.”
Fortunately, someone at his home was able to call 911 and get him the medical assistance he needed. When the medical team arrived, they managed to revive him after he had turned blue.
“The crew got there and they they brought me back. They had to shock me 11 times and cracked some ribs. Broke my ribs,” he revealed. “But I don’t remember any of that. But they did a heck of a job getting me back, you know?”
Then, three days later, while recovering from the heart attack in the hospital, another emergency occurred. He suffered a stroke and was immediately taken to an Atlanta-area hospital.
“Stroke protocol, all that stuff. So they iced me down and they said I was going, “Why was it so cold?” Cause you’re on ice, you know. So it was a weird thing, but I dropped dead. I was dead for 30 minutes a couple times – died. No heartbeat. No heartbeat at all.”
The singer/songwriter has fully recovered and is now back on the touring circuit.
“And I’m back, you know, doing what I always do. I’m not pounding it like I used to. I think I did 100 shows that one year … the year I croaked,” he recalled.
Now, Vassar is feeling “great” and has a new appreciation for life and music.
“I mean, I love singing. I appreciate it more, I can tell you that. We appreciate being here, being alive.”
He went on to share his gratitude for modern medicine and the fact that they were able to save him.
“I mean, thank goodness for medicine. I probably would not have lived a few years ago, but they now they can stint you and fix your — I mean, you think you’re doing everything right, and then it all goes wrong, right? It’s just weird that way. But that’s his life, I suppose.”
Phil Vassar has a slew of tour dates on the book for the remainder of the summer and into the fall. His calendar currently includes appearances all around the U.S., including headlining shows and several concerts at fairs.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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