Peter Bowditch, one half of the OAP rap duo Pete & Bas, passed out mid-show earlier this week, while hanging from the ceiling in a harness.
The London outfit, who are both in their 70s, were performing in Chicago, Illinois, on Monday night (March 16), when the incident occurred.
Footage of the moment showed Bowditch suspended above the stage as he rapped, with a group of backing dancers beneath him at the rear.
He then appeared to lose consciousness and dropped the microphone, leaving the crowd stunned. Bowditch was left hanging motionless from the ceiling, while the backing track continued to play.
Pete & Bas’ management have since shared a statement on social media, confirming that Bowditch is now OK.
“We would like to apologise for last night’s show, the good news is Pete is now in a stable condition,” the message read. “We’ll be issuing refunds to all ticket holders. All current European tour dates will still be going ahead.”
Later, Bowditch delivered a video update from his hospital bed. “As you know, recently, I was pronounced dead on stage,” he joked. “They said it was exhaustion; the doctors managed to bring me back.”
The rapper went on to say that Pete & Bas would be “announcing a tour to America” to “celebrate”. Further details on the forthcoming gigs are yet to be confirmed.
In the caption, he wrote: “Right people, it looks like I’m alive. Happy days. The wife’s brought me in a takeaway pint too, so I’m finally feeling like myself again 🍺. Now, Bas and I will be going on a massive 14-date US tour in June to celebrate. See you there people, hallelujah.”
According to BBC News, Pete & Bas began writing lyrics in 2017, having been inspired by the storytelling of drill music. They released their debut single, ‘Shut Ya Mouth’, shortly afterwards.
Bowditch, who is a retired Royal Mail employee, had previously heard rap and grime music in his granddaughter’s car. “I thought, ‘This ain’t too bad’,” he told the outlet.
“I talk to my grandkids and their friends and they just let us know the new idioms – what’s going on now. For example, we always thought we were good, then they say sick, they say fire, then they say you’re cold, but it all means the same thing.”
Pete & Bas’ first full-length album, ‘Mugshot’, arrived in 2024. They are scheduled to embark on a European headline tour next month, with the dates including stops in Amsterdam, Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki.
