[Mb-civic] CBC Arts - LONG JOHN BALDRY IN VANCOUVER HOSPITAL

[CBC Arts]

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LONG JOHN BALDRY IN VANCOUVER HOSPITAL
WebPosted Mon Apr 25 18:34:42 2005

VANCOUVER---British blues legend Long John Baldry is being treated at a
Vancouver hospital for respiratory problems.

According to some reports in the British press, the 64-year-old musician
was near death, or had died.

Baldry's agent says those stories are off the mark. "He's doing well.
He's on the mend," Frank Garcia told The Canadian Press.

Garcia said the British-born singer, who moved to Canada in the 1970s, is
expected to make a full recovery. He also said the singer was peeved that
the press in his native country had jumped the gun.

"There's been all kinds of rumours and we don't like it," Garcia said.

Baldry – who earned his stage name because of his height – is
expected to be out of intensive care in a few days. He will start
performing live again in June, playing tour dates that had already been
scheduled before he took ill.

Baldry developed lung problems in Britain, but flew back to Canada for
treatment at Vancouver General Hospital.

A number of influential bands have been led by Baldry.

He is credited with discovering Rod Stewart, who was a member of Baldry's
Hoochie Coochie Men.

His Bluesology also included a young keyboard player named
Reginald Dwight.

Dwight took the "Elton" from the group's saxophone player, Elton Dean,
and the "John" from Baldry, and went on to have a successful solo career
as Elton John.

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