Legendary punk frontman Jello Biafra is making progress after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke earlier this month, his family confirmed in a March 15 update. The 67-year-old artist, best known as the incendiary voice of Dead Kennedys, was hospitalized after collapsing on the morning of March 7 due to high blood pressure.
In the March 15 statement speaking on behalf of Biafra, his Facebook page shared: “Well, it has been a devastating week. Jello is making progress but he has a long road of recovery ahead of him. Cognitively he is as sharp as ever, but he is suffering a bit with the left side of his body not cooperating. His fighting spirit is a blessing right now.
“Sorry we didn’t respond yet to all your texts and calls. It is hard for him to text so I am replying to people. It has just been so intense and chaotic that it is taking a while. Soooooooo many people reaching out.
“I can give updates on this page if you like. He is appreciating the outpouring of love and support. It definitely lifts his spirits. Message me if needed. If you are planning to come visit, tell me. We have to space it out. He gets very tired very fast. Much love.”
Biafra first fell ill after hopping out of bed and realizing his left side had “collapsed under me,” preventing him from standing. He recounted the frightening moment: “I realized I had ‘fallen and I can’t get up!’ It was at this point I thought, ‘Oh shit, I’m having a stroke!’ I still have a lot of great stuff in me, but right now I gotta lotta rehabbing to do.”
His label, Alternative Tentacles, released an initial statement on March 9 confirming that Biafra was hospitalized but stable and thanked fans for their concern.
Biafra, who rose to prominence in the late 1970s with the Dead Kennedys, helped define American hardcore punk with politically charged, influential music. Through Alternative Tentacles, which he founded in 1979, he has also been instrumental in releasing underground punk, industrial, and experimental music.
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