Ronnie McDowell Hospitalized After Suffering Medical Event Onstage
Country Music Legend Ronnie McDowell Ends Concert Early After Experiencing A Medical Issue Mid-Show
75-year-old country singer Ronnie McDowell was recently hospitalized after suffering a medical event onstage.
McDowell rose to fame in 1977 after releasing his song “The King Is Gone,” a tribute to Elvis Presley. He also covered Presley’s songs for the 1979 film Elvis, and actor Kurt Russell lip-synced to his recordings.
McDowell maintained his Presley connection by performing his songs for other projects. Those included Elvis and the Beauty Queen, Elvis and Me, and the 1990 TV series Elvis.
McDowell’s career continued to flourish throughout the ’80s and ’90s. He scored hits with songs such as “Older Women” and “You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation.” He released his last single in 2009, but has remained active as a live performer.
McDowell was singing at the Summer Solstice Music Festival in Oley, Pennsylvania, on Saturday (June 21) when he appeared to suffer a medical issue. His tour manager told WKRN that McDowell only managed to sing three or four songs before he started to slur his words and was “not making sense.”
Seeing that McDowell was in trouble, his tour manager brought the show to a halt. When he asked the singer if he was feeling alright, McDowell reportedly answered, “No,” and questioned if he had suffered a stroke.
McDowell was hospitalized following the incident. WKRN reports that as of Sunday morning (June 22) he was undergoing a series of tests at a hospital in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Early on Sunday, McDowell’s official Facebook page shared an old photo of him singing and playing guitar. McDowell’s team said, “Please keep Ronnie in your thoughts and prayers. The Family is updating on their personal platforms.”
McDowell’s Son Speaks About His Hospitalization
The post above is the last update shared to McDowell’s Facebook page (at the time of this writing). However, his son, Tyler Dean McDowell, shared an update on his personal Instagram Story.
That Story post has since disappeared (since Instagram Stories only stay up for 24 hours). But according to Al.com, it read:
“Thanks everyone, for the love. I’m heading to Pennsylvania now — I didn’t go with them on this run. Seeing these headlines on social media is what I’ve always dreaded. It’s like a nightmare. Scans are in the morning. If praying’s your thing, I’d appreciate it.”
Tyler paid tribute to his his dad just a few days prior, for Father’s Day. He said:
“The road ain’t been easy—more potholes, than smooth pavement, but he never hit the brakes. He keeps movin’ forward toward his dreams—and taught me to do the same. How to connect with people. How to make ’em smile. How to entertain. And most importantly—how to be kind.”
Tyler ended his post by writing, “I wouldn’t trade him for anything, and I just wish more folks had a Dad like mine.”
We’ll be praying for Ronnie McDowell’s quick and complete recovery amid his hospitalization…
