Phil Vassar Survives Heart Attack and Stroke: ‘I Was Dead’

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.  

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“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.