WASHINGTON — If you're a fan of go-go music, then you've likely danced to the beat of one locally well-known drummer. He's known for his music, but is emphasizing his health following a scare he had in 2018.
When Maurice Hagans isn't working his day job as a postal worker, he's behind the music with the legendary go-go band, E.U. and GoGo Symphony.
"Music soothes the soul," Hagans said. "The great thing about music is that it takes you places."
Hagans has been a percussionist for 28 years and spent 13 with the legendary Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown. He's also known around town as "Mighty Mo."
He's lived a fast-paced lifestyle for years, juggling his passion for music and his career. But on the night of January 14, after a performance at the Howard Theatre, everything came to a halt.
"The first thing I thought was I was dehydrated," Hagans said. "A lot of times after my performance, I sweat a lot, I'm dehydrated."
But Hagans knew something else was wrong.
"I could never regain my breath," he said.
Hagans fell to the ground minutes after the show ended, and he felt pain in his chest.
"Here I am on the floor vomiting, going in and out of consciousness," Hagans said. "Finally, the ambulance came and doctors told me 'you're having a heart attack.'"
Hagans learned he had blocked arteries, and soon after, underwent a procedure to receive stents.
"I may not have been here," he said, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I'm just getting emotional about that one."
Hagans was back on stage two weeks after his procedure. One year later, he's still doing what he loves and feels better than ever.
He has a family history of heart disease and said the experience was a wake-up call. Now, he wants others to pay better attention to their health.
"Pay attention to your blood pressure, your temperature, diabetes if you have it," Hagans said. "You have to stay on top of that."