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Tall Dwarfs' Chris Knox Recovering From Stroke

Indie fans in both the U.S. and New Zealand were stunned to learn over the weekend that Kiwi legend Chris Knox suffered a stroke. The 57-year-old musician/songwriter/cartoonist is recovering at Auckland City Hospital.

"We'd just like to say that Chris' partner Barbara Ward and his children John and Leisha are grateful for the support and love they've received, and at the moment everyone's focus is just on Chris and his recovery, and we just ask that people be respectful of that," a spokesman for the family said in the Sunday Star Times.

Knox's late '70s bands the Enemy and Toy Love were the pioneering artists of the New Zealand scene, which rose to prominence in the U.S. during the late '80s via Flying Nun Records and such bands as the Chills, the Bats, the Clean and, of course, Tall Dwarfs, Knox's lo-fi weird-pop duo with Alec Bathgate. Tall Dwarfs influenced everyone from Pavement, Portastatic and Olivia Tremor Control to Jay Reatard, Crystal Stilts and just about anybody playing post-punk music in New Zealand.

The Tall Dwarfs song 'Not Given Lightly' later became an improbable hit, popular at weddings even though it was written specifically for Ward ("This is a love song/to John and Leisha's mother," is one lyric). It's been covered by Frente and J Church, and provides the title of Morr Music's new double CD 'Not Given Lightly: A Tribute to the Giant Golden Book of New Zealand's Indie Scene.'

The average American, however, probably knows Knox best for his 2000 solo song 'It's Love,' which was featured in this 2008 Heineken commercial, directed by the ever-rock 'n' roll savvy filmmaker Todd Haynes:



Knox's family and friends launched a website to keep fans informed.

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jenipop

I don't usually direct my responses to any one post; however, Factionsurf left behind such an insensitively arrested screed that one has to wonder why say anything at all. Obviously you have no idea who Chris Knox is or just how beloved his catalog of quirky pop and early punk. Your words add nothing to a well deserved tribute to an artist whose wide-ranging influence is obviously well outside of your snarky dated-reference grab (which you failed to spell correctly, btw) that you hoped would be oh so clever - instead you look like an unthinking jerk. Sadly, I have read elsewhere online that the musician's outlook is "grim." Reportedly Knox is unable to speak - not uncommon among stroke survivors nor is it indicative of a longterm disability - and may not be able to walk. As every stroke survivor - not to mention the caregivers - knows: recovery is a lifelong process. I trust adding a progressive team of intuitive caregivers to the close circle of family and friends will enable him to return to any and all artistic outlets.

June 15 2009 at 8:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
factionsurf

how retarded that AOL would even print this. Some lame beatnic, bookstore dweler, coffe drinking, Lisa Lobe glasses wearing, got beat up in school, twarp wote this artical, nobody cares and nobody knows who this band or guy was. Why dont you go polish up your Star Wars figurene collection. Indie is another word for crap music. Its kina like noby liked the geeky writer because he or she was a twit, so they make like crappy never heard before music was cool so its makes them cool, just like they do when they play Dungoens and Dragons. "OOOh! OOOOOh! please can I be the wizard?" "No! I called first dibs Stuey I am the Worlock'! What big geek take a hike and cram your lame little story up your geeky arssss.

June 15 2009 at 7:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John

'Ello,
Some o' you Yanks aught t'be shimneed fo the disrepct and g'lvenotion o' this chap. Naw e' dn't wear n' tear 'em on your shores, but he gilded t' globe here, riecky! I mean, we don go gaw-waw ov'r the likes of your American Idols. But we spect your gimmy-gam d'sions so please if'n you will, spect ours. All rickey-petey-poo?

June 15 2009 at 7:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
geoburns

CHRIS,I DO NOT KNOW WHO YOU ARE,BUT I CAN TELL YOU FIRST HAND ABOUT STROKES.LAST DAY OF MARCH 2008 I HAD THREE,2 SMALL,1 BIG ONE.IT TURNED MY LIFE UPSIDE DOWN.WHAT YOU MUST DO IS REHAB,REHAB,REHAB,KEEP YOUR MIND SET ON RECOVERY.BE POSITIVE AT ALL TIMES.I HAD A GOOD WOMAN BEHIND ME.WHEN YOU ARE SICK LIKE THIS,YOU CAN COUNT YOUR FRIENDS ON ONE HAND.TAKE YOUR MEDS,CHANGE YOUR DIET.DO NOT GET DEPRESSED,OR ASK WHY ME?I CAN TELL YOU EVERYTHING YOU ARE FEELING,I WAS THERE.YOU ARE WELCOME TO EMAIL ME,YOU WILL GET BETTER.OH,BY THE WAY,I WAS 52,STRESS,TENSION,BLOOD PRESSURE,THAT IS WHAT CAUSED IT.GOOD LUCK,GOD BLESS-GEORGE

June 15 2009 at 7:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hookmrl

Yea who is this guy aol has another usless story about some one no one knows but I wish him well

June 15 2009 at 7:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
progolfer445

read the story before you say "who" ya dumbasses

June 15 2009 at 6:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to progolfer445's comment
Charlie

I guess only Heineken drinking golfers know who he is.

June 15 2009 at 7:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ronn

Who is he??

June 15 2009 at 5:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DJR

Who?

June 15 2009 at 5:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Edward

I wish him the best. I have never heard of him, but I suffered a stroke at age 42 and lost the use of my right side. With faith and work I recovered enough to resume my career. It's a long, hard road, but it can be done. Godspeed

June 15 2009 at 3:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
very22true

more medical research is hwere to put the people to work. think about why and how. but doing that >? "it's la lala lalalaa Love" goodd recovery wishesP:

June 15 2009 at 2:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply