Freddy Fender collapses

Press, 31 May 1980, Page 3

Freddy Fender collapses

PA Palmerston North Freddy Fender’s career ahnost ended in tragedy in Palmerston North on Thursday night. The visiting country music singer collapsed in his dressing room only minutes before he was due on stage for his early show at the city’s Opera House.

A diabetic, Mr Fender was struck by severe convulsions and had to have urgent medical attention. Although he takes insulin every day, this was

the first time such an attack had gripped the pop* ular Tex-Mex entertainer. Dr Helen Hopkins, of Palmerston North, was called to the Opera House and her treatment enabled Mr Fender to make a good recovery. “Freddy became very cold and shivery moments before he collapsed,” said the show’s promoter, Mr Dennis Brown, yesterday. “He was terribly shaken by the ordeal, especially as he did not know what

was wrong. He was concerned about letting the audience down and, in fact, was talking of ending his career if he could not take the stage” Mr Brown said he wanted to admit Mr Fender to the hospital, but Mr Fender gradually began to recover and eventually took the stage for both concerts.

Capacity audiences of 1000 attended -the shows, but nobody had an inkling of the drama that had taken place back stage.