Hi everybody,
Welcome to the “Chris Knox had a stroke and everyone wants to know how he is, how the hell are we gonna keep you all updated all at once” blog.
We’ll try to keep this as up to date as we can – in this first post is a statement we sent out to the media this afternoon. You can leave well wishes in the ‘comments’ section below. We love hearing from you.
Cheese,
Chris’s family and friends
15th June 2009
Media statement from Ward-Knox family
Re: Chris Knox
“We have been overwhelmed by the level of support for Chris from around the world since his stroke. We’d like to express our thanks to everyone who has helped or wished us well in the last few days.
“Like many other families who are currently experiencing a similar change to their lives we are learning a great deal about strokes and their long-term effects. We have learned that it is too early to predict the ramifications of a stroke with any degree of accuracy. However, positive anecdotes have been flooding in which fill us all with hope.
“Chris is not in pain and is responsive to family and friends who are very optimistic and focused on Chris’s well being. He enjoyed his vegetable frittata this morning but I suffered the classic Knox withering look when I mentioned beer.
“As the situation becomes clearer to us we will happily inform those who wish to know.
“We have created a site at chrisknox.blogtown.co.nz for this purpose. We aim to keep this site as current as possible.”
Family contact – Roy Martyn
Chris, Barbara, Leisha, John:
Much love from up here in NYC! Thinking of you all warmly, and remembering always the AK night-sky spread over your backyard…
Your friend,
mike wolf
found this article:
http://www.spinner.com/2009/06/15/tall-dwarfs-chris-knox-recovering-from-stroke/
Hi Chris,
So sorry to hear about all this. I have no doubt you’ll be fine, though, can’t picture you just laying down and accepting life under any terms but your own. (You legendary icons are all the same.) Keep your spirits up my friend, get yourself some rest for awhile and remember there’s some serious love coming your way from all of us at the Record Room. Best to ya always, brother.
I was just reading the sad news of this and, while I was telling my wife, my computer’s iTunes began playing “Meet The Beatle.” Considering it had over 4100 choices of songs and hundreds of artists to choose from, I say this must be a sign.
Best of luck in a speedy recovery from a fan all the way in Connecticut, USA.
Ben
terrible blow – best wishes for a speedy recovery…thoughts are with you and your loved ones!
love from NYC
best wishes to Chris and the family and hope he makes a speedy recovery
Chris, i just read the news over at The Cast/Record Room message board; best wishes for a speedy recovery. I’ll listen to the amazing Buffy and send lots of good thoughts your way. Be strong; can’t wait to see you back on the board!
Best wishes and good vibrations,
Susan
Chris! The Pioneers never had more fun than that week we got to spend on the road w you and your wife — get well soon!!!
wishing you strength and hope. will keep checking the blog.
Chris and his music have been a steady force in my life since I 1st heard it so long ago. Only having the pleasure of meeting him a handful of times I’m assured if anyone can beat something like this it is Chris. Don’t think I’ve ever met someone with as much determination and with so much to offer us all. I’m thinking about him and his family everyday.
Hello Chris! I was the weird fellow who flew halfway across the country to see you and Alec headline at Local 506 in Chapel Hill several years ago. I’ll never forget how illuminating that show was. I learned something very important from that show: “SHOW MUST ALWAYS GO ON, AND HAVE FUN”. It’s tattooed under my eyelids, and I know you will take that motto to mind.
My best to you and your family and friends!
Brian
big dollops of love and strength to you chris and your wonderful family. and thanks to your support team for making this blog possible. much appreciated.
get well soon & come back to SF!
love,
The Skygreen Leopards
Hey Chris – word has finally filtered down to me – I hope you get well soon!
I will never forget how you wrapped me up as a present the 1st time we met
Sending lots of healing spells and thoughts and vibes and whatevers your way
Hope to see you back here in Dunedin one day in the future
*big gentle hugs*
Gaylene.
Chris, Barbara & family
My thoughts are with you all at this time. Best wishes for one strong and speedy recovery.
Much Love
Sandi
Dear Chris, Barbara, Leisha and John, hey i heard today, i am in Paris with my kids and Sara for three months, we wish you a speedy recovery, everyone here who knows you sends their love and support too, arohanui, Michael Morley and Sara Stephenson and Molly and Luc. XXX
Chris, your indomitable spirit will get you through this, I’m sure you know that. I bet you’re already planning a new album about the whole experience! Me, P, our 2 cats and all the TurkbyTone Rekkids staff send our best wishes to you and your family.
Hi Chris,
Can’t believe news of you “popped up” on aol in New York. The lengths some people will go to be famous!
Its been a few years since I’ve seen you but glad to hear you haven’t lost your sense of humour.
Do hope you are feeling a little better after all these well wishes.
Kindest regards to you and all your family.
Will try to catch up in NZ next time we’re back home.
Debra Mackinnon
Chris and Family-
It was just several weeks ago that we spent a couple days with Chris and his TV crew, filming a sequence for his show New Artland. I was with a group of radio controlled helicopter flyers down here who assisted with an art piece designed by Regan Gentry- and Chris and the crew were here to capture the attempt.
Chris was very outgoing to all of us guys, and we enjoyed spending time with him. On behalf of all of the heli guys down here, we send our warmest thoughts and support to Chris and his family through this tough time.
One final note- I was too embarrased to admit to Chris that I can ‘play’ ‘Not Given Lightly’ on my uke… I wasn’t certain if he would have been pleased to hear that news
Best wishes- G2
Hey Chris….page 2 on aol no less. That’s pretty damn good!
All strength to Chris and his family
From the depths of forty years ago, when we grew up together in Invercargill: Chris – my thoughts and prayers are with you, and with Barbara and the family. Love – Jeremy
Dear Chris and Family, sending love and best wishes your way. Glenys
Best wishes from Ohio. I had the chance to meet Chris in the early 90’s when the Tall Dwarfs played in Philadelphia with Yo La Tengo, and I still treasure the experience. Chris, you’ve got a lot of friends out here who are pulling for you!
Hi Chris,
My Mum had a stroke several years ago and for a few days could not speak coherently or use her hands
properly. The speech came back fairly quickly.
She reckons that the way to full physical recovery is to do with determination all that the physio tasks you with. Do it when they’re not looking too!. Just keep doing it!.
She now helps stroke victims recover.
All of the regulars at the Bodega wish you a speedy recovery.
Ever since you hauled me on stage in ’79 at the Awapuni in Palmy to sing the chorus of Yummy Yummy , I have followed your music. Always an inspiration, always a pleasure.
Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery.
I had a right brain stroke 13 years ago at age 58. I will share what it may take for you to get back where you want to be. Learn to laugh out loud and never, never give up. If I could do it, so can you.
Hang in there.
hey chris,
thinking of you and your family, if anyone’s gonna make a full recovery, it will be you.
love jol
Never met the man. Loved the couple Tall Dwarves records I’ve listened to. Loved the Pop Vulture cartoons. Great thoughtful reviews of films. Love NZ music and the NZ sensibility as I imagine it. And Chris really epitomises that sensibilty for me. Best wishes.
Big love to you and your family, Chris. Been thinking of you and Barbara every day, down here in frosty Nelson…
Best wishes Chris! Get well soon!
All our love to you, Barbara and Chris. You are in our thoughts and porayers.
Chris & whanau,
Sending lot’s of love and positive thoughts. Hang in there! We know you’re a tough (oldish) bugger:)
Sarahx
Barbara et al,
Check out My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte. Really good explanation of what it’s like to have a stroke – recommended reading by Stroke Foundation of NZ. Inspiring for those who have had a stroke and are facing rehab, REALLY helpful for the family and friends who want to do all they can….
I don’t know you but feel compelled to send positive vibes over the ‘net to you and your family.
There is no shortage of love for you Chris Knox.
Kia Kaha
So, there we were, just shooting the breeze on K’Rd (and, presumably, this wasn’t the time you, concerned about my welfare, awakened me from that bus-bench in the wee hours), when an excitable interruption broke in. “Hey Chris! You’re amazing! I’ve got some of your stuff. And…”, well, the rest of it slips me mind. What I’ll never forget though is the reply. “Buy the back catalogue”. I was impressed by your attitude, and response, to the fame and admiration that’s followed you since 1978. Over the years similar scenes have played out a number of times – I’ve witnessed a few of them too. It appeared to embarrassed you, but you handled it with a rare Style and with your very-own (what else) version of Aplomb. That’s why I’m here. And also because I reckon we came up the same way: “As soon as you’re born, They make you feel small; by giving you no time, instead of it all…”. And, finally, to assure you I still owe you money! (And I’ll be comin’ to see you about it, just as soon as we’re both able…). Say hello to Barbara, John and Leisha from me mate. We’ll speak soon.
Dear Chris and Family,
This is a complete surprise and reminder of how important it is to cherish and celebrate this wonderful and challenging life. At each moment. Thank you Chris for this precious moment.
I/we are all shocked to learn of your stroke, but I am enjoying the flood of reminiscing and memories about your wonderful music, your attitude, your energy.
Did you know my dad dragged me along to one of your parties when I was just a wee thing? Long before I knew who or what the Chris Knox Phenomenon was…and then we have had the absolute pleasure of sharing the stage with you and singing some of the best love songs ever to come out of this country. Its true. Simple songs about love. I hope that you are able to revel in some of the love flooding back to you now.
The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra sang ‘It’s love’ yesterday morning at Deluxe – not solemly or tearfully, but utterly joyfully – beaming with pleasure and acknowledging you and your awesomeness to each other.
We wish you recovery, and we love you.
xx Megan (and members of the WIUO)
Hi Chris (& Barbara, John and Letia),
Never a dull moment, eh? Have you found a rhyme for frittata yet? Are you allowed to set up the home theatre in the recovery centre?
Our thoughts are with you all and best wishes for a smooth recovery.
Andrew and Karen
All the best for a speedy recovery.
Kia kaha Chris, you’re the reason I know what country I live in. ‘You’ve still got a mind, don’t look at the files.’
To Chris’ family, love and regards from this total stranger…
> Mark Servian
Best wishes, van harte beterschap,
Jop Euwijk
the netherlands
all the best for a speedy recovery chris.
rosy, alie, henry and sylvia. xx
Hey Chris, these things are sent to challenge us and give more ideas for great writing. Looking forward to seeing what appears as a result. All best wishes and strength to your family and your good self. XrX
Hi,my name’s Paddy Neville.I’m Stefan’s uncle.He was the first person to tell me about Chris.
I’d just like share my thoughts for him & his family.To this day I maintain Toy Love are the best NZ band I’ve ever seen, & I retain a real affection for him as a fan.Speeedy recovery please, & love to you all
Peace & Love
Paddy
ello Guv
NYC calling-the Mad Scene played Sat night with Times NewViking and Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments at the Bell House in Brooklyn-everyone you know here sends their lurve-dedicated the set to you-and a sludge rocker called T.Rex ensued-had Harry Smith animation playing in the background-everyone got high and had a damn good time, drinkin ‘El Presidente,Allagash White wheat beer and Bourbon-have done some heavy meditatin for you-generally sending good vibes etc.Have been down the stroke road with our ol man-so empathise pretty heavily dude!
So get well soon
hope the whole famille du Ward Knox is doing ok.
Yours
Nigel AlleuitiusTransom aka as Hambone etc
Long Haired Toothless English Rocker(ex-Pink Floyd Roadie)
also Lisa,Taran and cats Blix&Rara
Ps I hear you’ve got Keef’s Doc working on you so you should be in good hands
Best windy wet Wellington wishes to you Sir from me and everyone here at Radio Active.
The world needs more vegetarian White Album fans so I hope you’re back up on your jandals asap.
Cheers big ears.
Shannon
Hope you get well soon and we see some more creative genius from you before too long.
Mate you showed a bunch of us that you don’t have to be a sheep to be a kiwi, and I for one have stood many times in buzzing anticipation watching you (in yer jandals!) plug in your guitar, knowing I was gonna be blown away over the next hour. And I always was. Here’s to the future and the irrepressible manifestations of your mind to come.
Chris, my old buddie, talk about attention seeking! Seriously though, get well,too much stuff to do yet, love to you and a huge cuddle x
Hi Chris
Hope you get better soon. A friend & talented guitarist here at Radio NZ had a stroke recently & is determined to play again – he reckons the best exercise is a simple spring clothes peg for the thumb strength and a staple gun for developing the grip. Cunning. He’s doing really well. You’ll get there too I’m sure – kiha kaha.
Arohanui to you, Babrbara & the family
Liz