AVAILABLE AT WWW.LIGHTYEAR.COM GET THRASHED DVD RELEASE DATE - 9/16/08 Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth of Overkill talks about having a stroke onstage in Germany on June 27th 2002.
Agreed! I mean, dude! Here he is, talkin' about what sounds like a near-death experience...and at times, he's laughing about it! I don't know if I could be laughing at such a thing, had that happened to me. Personally, I thank God for every day he gives me! Ya never know when your time here on Earth is up. I say that in all sincerity, and I say it for a reason. A friend of mine died back near the beginning of this year (2022), from something totally unexpected-An Aortic tear, which, of course, caused him to bleed to death on the inside. It was the same kind of death that John Ritter (Three's Company Lead Actor, that went by the name Jack Tripper), died from. Anyway-Glad that, as I know of, Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth is still alive. May he live on, for a long time to come!
Bobby is one of the nicest guys I've met. Always happy to see us and will take the time to sign stuff and do photos. I know Blitz has had a lot of health issues over the years so I worry about him. A friend of mine injured herself crowdsurfing at one of their shows so as paramedics were taking her away, Blitz came down off the stage and comforted her. Yes...he's that amazing!
The NJ thrash scene was awesome and Overkill were a huge part of it. I'd be sitting in the Club 516 go go bar in Old Bridge, and in would walk Bobby Blitz. Cool people.
I have so much respect for Bobby! Musically,the man is a true LEGEND and personally he seems to be a super-nice guy. Overkill deserve their due respect as the greats of Heavy Metal that they truly are. He and D.D. are what have kept the band great and kept it going for 30+ years now! IN UNION WE STAND!!!
I saw Overkill for the first time last night (after being a fan for over 20 years!), and they were amazing! My hearing is just now getting back to normal 24 hours later! And yes, Blitz still kicks ass (at 49 years old!!!)!
HOLY SHIT! I've had a few of these and not sure what they were. You white out, you hear nothing, you feel nothing, see nothing-it's like you're in a vacuum & you collapse. He's right-if you get to pick,this is definitely the way to go-total peace. ROCK ON BLITZ! \mm/
Wow, didn't even know about this until now. Met Blitz before their show in Fresno at a small hall on Halloween, what a great guy (I think his hand was broken at the time but he didn't have a cast on it)...
On the map you can choose a country and they'll talk more about the thrashed bands that they missed in the movie, (except Exhorder for some reason) or you can choose the play all feature. Overkill is one of the bands talked about, but the scenes where Blitz is talking about his tumor & stroke aren't on there (nor is Jeff Becerra of Possessed's incident where some asshole shot him in the chest paralyzing him from the waist down).
Its up there but not equal. What happened to dime bag was horrible. I would have never thought that would happen to him. Im sure he didn't think so either. Fuck man, youre just doing your thing then boom lights out. Over bullshit.
I remember I actually asked about this on the old overkill board and blitz himself replied that it was a "misprint on the record". Now, it would be interesting to see if on "fuck you and then some" there's the same error being almost ten years later,,, overkill fucking rules anyway!
Focal seizures are for real, it could have happened, I've seen people come in and be treated and checked for stroke as a pharmacy student and he shows no signs or symptoms of a stroke at least now. He can talk fine, no paralysis on one side of his face or body, etc. strokes can really screw you up for life if they don't kill you. Possibly a transient "mini stroke" but again he looks and acts fine to me. Rock on Blitz, I was there in 80's and didn't really know this band until later.
he mustt of had the same situation back in 1986 the day they were suppose to play with SACRED REICH and NUCLEAR DEATH on the Taking Over tour. they (OVERKILL) were a no show but the bands played on and i am gland to say that i got the chance to see both bands in their heyday (both bands were fresh on the scene and were working on their first demos) i bet Blitz was having a coke induced stroke.
Look, Bobby has been through alot but he still kicks ass and to me he still looks yummy as all hell. Considering what he's been through, I for one am glad he is still thrashing his ass off and enjoying life. Always in love with the Blitz
