The wife of renowned jazz pianist Liang Heping has said her husband is in stable condition Tuesday after a near-fatal car accident.
The accident, which occurred during the Dragon Boat Festival weekend, has left Liang paralyzed from the chest down.
After nearly two weeks in critical condition Liang is stable, yet the accident has left him bedridden with reduced use of his arms, according to his wife Zhao Li Tuesday.
The 50-year-old pianist was driving off-road in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, on June 23 when he lost control of his SUV and it flipped over, sources say. Doctors have told close friends of Liang there is a high risk the paralysis will be permanent.
He was transferred to Ditan Hospital, Chaoyang district, on Monday from Jishuitan Hospital, Xicheng district, to receive further treatment.
Liang is most famous for his work with Chinese rock acts such as Cui Jian and He Yong.
"Liang was working on the most mature and interesting writing of his career," He said after visiting Liang in the hospital, "and we want to make sure he gets back to it."
He also said he and other artists are currently organizing an annual benefit concert to help musicians such as Liang with medical bills.
Liang became well-known after a nationwide broadcast in 1986, when he performed Cui's signature anthem "Nothing to My Name" during the televised Let the World Be Full of Love concert.
"It was technically Liang that introduced China to [rock'n'roll]," wrote Beijing music afficionado Jon Campbell on his blog yesterday.
"He played the first notes of the song that changed everything," Campbell said.
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