Punk legend hospitalized for observation after collapsing during opening song, latest in series of health scares
The Exploited frontman Walter David “Wattie” Buchan collapsed onstage during the band’s performance on Saturday, January 31, at Schlachthof in Wiesbaden, Germany, forcing the cancellation of multiple upcoming shows.
Buchan went down during the first song of the set, prompting immediate medical attention at the venue before he was transported to a local hospital. According to information provided on-site, the punk legend was responsive when taken for treatment.
On Sunday, February 1, The Exploited issued a statement via social media announcing show cancellations and providing an update on Buchan’s condition.
“As Wattie collapsed yesterday during the show in Wiesbaden/Germany, we have to cancel the upcoming gigs in Tallinn & Riga. We try to find new dates ASAP. Rostock and Berlin we announce as soon as we have more info,”
“Wattie is in hospital right now for observation and checkups. He had a flu the last days and got dehydrated. That’s why he collapsed. Thanks and love to all the nice people who took care and immediately gave first aid. We will keep you updated!”
A Troubling Pattern
The incident marks the latest in a series of serious health scares for the 68-year-old punk icon, who has a long history of heart-related issues. In December 2022, Buchan was rushed to hospital after collapsing onstage during a concert in Colombia following a suspected heart attack. During that show, he reportedly began feeling unwell while performing “Army Life,” clutching his chest and bending down before dropping to his knees.
Earlier, in February 2014, Buchan suffered a heart attack while performing in Lisbon, Portugal, an event that led to him undergoing quadruple heart bypass surgery later that year. Additional shows were canceled in August 2018 and September 2019 due to ongoing health complications.
A year after his 2014 quadruple heart bypass surgery, Buchan told I Probably Hate Your Band: “I thought I wouldn’t be able to do gigs anymore, so I’m just glad I can still do gigs.” He later reflected to Tattoo.com: “They cut my leg went right through my tattoo and put it back together. The most important thing in life is your health. If you don’t have your health, you don’t have fuck-all.”
Still Fighting to Create
Despite his health challenges, Buchan has expressed determination to record new material. In July 2024, when asked by Serbia’s Agoraphobic News about the possibility of a new studio album, he responded: “I’ve got loads of songs written, but I never do anything unless it’s a hundred percent. It’s gotta be a hundred percent better than the last one.”
“I wanna do an album before I die, or before I pack the band in, so within the next two years I hope to record an album, for sure, for sure,”
Founded in 1978 in Edinburgh, The Exploited’s last studio album, “Fuck the System,” came out in 2003. In 2018, Buchan explained the delay: “We’ve got at least sixteen brilliant songs written, I just need to put lyrics to them, but with my health problems I’ve not been able to do it. Hopefully with my health being better, we’ll try and get something done, but I’ll never do anything unless it’s a hundred percent.”
At present, Wattie Buchan remains hospitalized for observation, with further tour updates expected once more information becomes available.
