Matt Pinfield Emerges from Coma and Embarks on Recovery Journey
Renowned radio and television figure Matt Pinfield is making an inspiring comeback after having recently emerged from a coma. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the former MTV VJ and current SiriusXM host shared his progress following a stroke he suffered in January. Pinfield is now recovering in a rehabilitation center located in Los Angeles, having been discharged from the ICU.
“Guys, I’m alive,” says Pinfield. “I’m recovering and am going to come back swinging. I was unresponsive for two months. Friends were thinking they were coming to see me for the last time. The doctors never expected me to speak or to walk again.”
During this challenging period, Pinfield’s eldest daughter Jessica stepped up to handle critical medical and financial decisions on his behalf. His expansive network within the music industry, including influential figures like former MTV chief Van Toffler, AXS TV President Andy Schuon, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame producer Rick Krim, rallied together to raise funds for his treatment. “She’s the one who saved my life,” Pinfield remarked, expressing deep gratitude toward his daughter.
Pinfield faced significant hurdles during his hospitalization, including pneumonia and a period spent on a ventilator. Upon regaining consciousness, he surprised his friends by discussing music and quoting lyrics from the band Procol Harum. “My friends said I went on talking about ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ and how they couldn’t keep up with what I was saying,” he reminisced. “They were, like, ‘Yeah, he’s still got that brain.'”
Though he has been “off social media,” Pinfield remains aware of the overwhelming support he received from friends and musicians alike following his medical emergency. Notably, Shirley Manson of Garbage expressed her admiration for Pinfield shortly after his stroke, highlighting his “encyclopedic knowledge of music” and “dizzying enthusiasm.” She emphasized his invaluable influence in championing numerous artists who may have otherwise gone unnoticed in the mainstream music sphere.
“If it wasn’t for Matt, our band wouldn’t even exist. He was our fairy godmother,” Manson wrote. “… We are sending out so much love and comfort to you Matt. We’re pulling for you, champ.”
Musician and producer Butch Walker also asked his followers to keep Pinfield in their thoughts. “He LOVES music like no other. It’s in his veins,” he stated, capturing the essence of Pinfield’s passion for music.
Reflecting on the extensive support he received, Pinfield expressed heartfelt thanks for the encouragement from his community. “I want to say how grateful I am for all the people that were wishing me well. The love of the community helped me get through this,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Pinfield hopes to be discharged from the hospital by the end of the month and will continue his recovery through outpatient care. “I’m definitely going to take some time to recover,” he stated. “Then I’ll do my radio shows again and get back to work doing what I love, which is to entertain people playing music.”
Matt Pinfield’s journey serves as a poignant reminder of resilience and the power of community support in overcoming life’s adversities.