Jimmy Kay from Canada's The Metal Voice streamed live into the hospital in Ecuador where Steve Grimmett ( singer Grim Reaper) and wife Millie Grimmett updated their fans on Steve's medical condition. Also joining the show Tony Dolan (Venom Inc) and former singer of Anthrax Neil Turbin.
Two announcements were made during the show, the first a fundraising show in their hometown of Swindon, England on April 1 organized by Brian Keene at the Riff's Bar
The second announcement was well known Metal Artist coming together to re-record a Grim Reaper Song (s) to help raise funds towards Steve Grimmett. medical and recovery costs. Spearheaded by Tony Dolan aided by Neil Turbin (Ex Anthrax), Jimmy Kay (the Metal Voice) and Sy Keeler (Onslaught),
The Reaper All Stars include Gary Holt (Slayer Exodus) Tim 'Ripper' Owens (ex Judas Priest), Doro Pesch, Lipps (Anvil), Tony Dolan (Venom Inc) Blaze Bayley (Ex Iron Maiden), Marta Gabriel (Crystal Viper) Neil Turbin (Deathriders), Sy Keeler (Onslaught), Bobby Blitz (Overkill), Nick Bowcott (Ex Grim Reaper), John Gallagher (Raven), Ross The Boss (ex-Manowar) Jonas Hornqvist (Bleed the Hunger) , Mantas (Venom Inc) and more to be announced soon, the song (s) will be produced by Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest , Anvil fame)
Millie Grimmett gave The Metal Voice a medical status update on Steve's present condition, "He has had four operations now, yesterday he had an operation to clean the wound a bit more, open it up a bit, put a drain in there to stop any further infections. So far the infection has stabilized. They have not stitched the wound up it's still open, they got a drain in there they are hoping it might help stop any infections. He can't fly until ten days after a big operation, so the earliest he can fly is this Friday. You got the high altitude because of the pressure of the plane, you have the risks of blood clotting, bleeding again, wounds opening so we have to make sure he can actually survive the flight because in total it is 19 hours door to door and we have to get two planes, it's a gruelling journey for everybody "
Mille went on, "I have a meeting with the Doctor tomorrow morning to discuss how he is doing and recovery and there is another treatment they can use, using oxygen. So we are hoping they might be able to do that over the next few days. which could speed up the process of recovery. the donations have helped the both of us. Now I am here Steve has perked up a bit and it makes me feel a bot better to see him but we are still alone out here and we want to go home. "
Mille commented about the Hospital Staff,"They are very friendly, very nice, even though we both don't speak the same language, we still have a laugh, making Steve laugh, making him smile, they do what they can with what they got, they don't have the same resources here. Steve said to me the other day that, last week he was in a ward downstairs and gentleman by him had heart failure and they didn't have a defibrillator so unfortunately the gentleman died, they did all they could, they have done a great job with Steve."
Lying on his hospital bed Steve Grimmett said a few words, I am very humbled I didn't realize that I meant so much to other people, I got no words other than THANK YOU and when I am out on my new leg I'm going to come out and sing for a big party."
Grimmett continued about finally being reunited with his wife. " it was such a relief to have somebody that I could talk to, cause she is not only my wife, she's my best friend, she's my sole mate, it makes everything easier. "
Steve concluded, "I found that in this metal community of ours we have love and respect for each other and to be fair I've never met any assholes."
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