Posts Tagged ‘brothers’
RIP Robert, my dear sweet brother
On January 20th one of my older brothers died in his sleep. He was 47. It was unexpected and quite a shock to the family.
Robert was 6 years older than me and really is the person responsible for my love of heavy music. In the mid 70s I can remember him bringing home KISS’ Dressed to Kill and that is what started it off for me. From there it was Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, RUSH, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash and a slew of other bands in those years. It wasn’t all hard stuff though. He got me into the Rolling Stones, early Neil Young and Elton John as well. The Stones are my 2nd favorite band of all time behind Iron Maiden.
As we got older and he had moved out, I was able to get him into bands like King Diamond, Metal Church and some others.
Music was always our bond and even in these last few weeks, there are certain songs that I’ll hear that just remind me of him. I’m glad that I have that lifelong connection to him and his spirit.
I’ll always miss and love you, Robert. Even more than I have in recent years of not being able to see you.
I can’t thank you enough for helping me be who and what I am today.
Maybe you’ll get a replacement, there’s plenty like me to be found…
Today I am ecstatic. I just learned that Elton John is coming to Austin @ The Frank Erwin Center on April 10, 2010. Tickets are $45-$125, 
which is pretty cheap all things considered. I’m definitely going. Sure, it’s a greatest hits tour, but many of those hits came from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road which has been a lifelong favorite of mine and I’m sure to hear several from that record. Like seeing Iron Maiden the first time, I’m sure this will be a memorable show.
As I have stated before, my older brother Robert was a big influence on me musically when I was a kid. he got me into KISS, Alice Cooper, RUSH, Judas Priest, Uriah Heep and yes, Elton John. Similar to what I wrote about in the Alice Cooper blog a while back, this album takes me back to far simpler times. Either living in Camelot (yes, that was the name of our neighborhood) or on the farm, this album was listened to a lot by my brother and me. It always takes me back to those good times. It still amazes me how music can connect like that. Even siting here just thinking about the intro to Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding I have goosebumps and am even getting a little choked up. How un-metal of me! But facts are facts. Music gets me emotional…or rather I get myself emotional to music. However one wants to look at it.
His collaborations with Bernie Taupin have been phenomenal. On top of that, Elton is a great performer. Flamboyant, funny, talented.
Seeing Elton live will close my concert circle a little more…you know…that list of bands that you always wanted to see but never got to. Elton is one of them. What’s even nicer is that I’ll be able to walk to the show…5 blocks!
The Metal Files 
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