KIX drummer Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant suffers heart attack and undergoes emergency heart surgery
Photo by Joe Schaeffer Photography
KIX drummer Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant suffers heart attack and undergoes emergency heart surgery
Big news from the KIX camp as the group has revealed today that drummer Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant suffered a heart attack one week ago (on September 29, 2021) and he had to undergo emergency heart surgery. KIX‘s press release was apparently only issued after Metal Sludge reported about this earlier today.
Photo by Joe Schaeffer Photography
The following message was posted on KIX‘s Facebook page earlier today:
“NEW YORK, NY (October 6, 2021) KIX drummer Jimmy “Chocolate” suffered a heart attack at his home on the evening of Wednesday September 29th and was rushed to the hospital. He had immediate surgery to insert two stents in his heart then another surgery the next day for another stent. Good news is, he is feeling way better, has been discharged from the hospital and is doing well resting at home. However, he may have a bit of a road in front of him for cardiac rehab to allow him to make a safe and full recovery.
KIX remains committed to playing all shows that are currently booked. We want to stress that NO shows are being cancelled or postponed. We are committed to fulfilling ALL of our contractual obligations. With Jimmy’s blessing, we would like to announce that Will Hunt (Evanescence, Black Label Society, Slaughter) will be taking over drum duties for the upcoming Monsters on the Mountain in Pigeon Forge TN on October 15th. Will is excited to perform with KIX and we are lucky to have such a seasoned veteran able to step in last minute. For all other shows post Monsters on the Mountain, we would like to announce that our good friend John Allen (Stone Horses, Child’s Play, SR-71) will be sitting in on drums until Jimmy is able to play again.
Jimmy asks that the fans throw their full support behind our temporary drummers. He is fully dedicated to improving his health and he intends to be back on his throne in his rightful place as soon as physically possible.”