Message from Al
U62van
in Fallbrook, California. It was the result of a terrible accident – that
morning they had started a fire in the fireplace with the flue closed, and were
asphyxiated by carbon monoxide poisoning.
Suzanne called me that afternoon on the bus to give me the news, so that I
would hear about it before the wire services picked it up.
Needless to say, I feel pretty much the way you would expect me to feel –
shocked and devastated beyond words. I loved my parents so much, and this all
still seems like a horrible nightmare that I can’t wake up from.
I want to thank my family, friends and fans for the incredible outpouring of
love and support that they’ve shown me. It’s wonderful to know that there
are so many people around the world who truly loved my parents, and also nice
to know that I am not alone in my grief.
I take some small measure of comfort in knowing that they died peacefully, and
that they never had to suffer through the pain and loneliness of living without
each other. I'm also grateful that they both lived long enough to see me
happily married to Suzanne, and particularly happy that they got to meet our
beautiful baby daughter Nina. She filled their lives with so much joy this last
year. Nina may be too young to remember playing with her grandparents when she
gets older, but don’t worry, we’ll have some great videotape to show her.
Many people have wondered what’s going to happen with the tour. I briefly
considered canceling some shows, but I ultimately decided that it would be
better for me personally to continue working. Plus, I’ve heard from so many
people over the years that my music has cheered them up in times of tragedy…
well, I thought maybe my music would help me too.
So far, it has. Going up on stage in front of thousands of supportive fans is a
cathartic and somewhat therapeutic experience for me right now. I don’t know
if I can say that the concerts really take my mind off of the tragedy, but at
least they give me a break from sobbing all the time.
Anyway, I have decided not to cancel any shows – the tour will continue as
planned. However, I have decided to put a moratorium on all interviews and
meet-and-greets for the time being – I just feel like I need some time alone
right now.
The funeral will be a very small, intimate service with only the immediate
family attending, so please, I ask that you respect our privacy. Just knowing
that your thoughts are with us at this time is more than enough, but if you
care to contribute anything, in lieu of flowers, Suzanne and I suggest a
donation to the Natural Resources Defense Council in my parents’ name.
One thing I would like to ask everybody to do, though… please, go out and get
carbon monoxide detectors for yourself and your loved ones. If my parents had
had one in their home, there’s a very good chance that they would still be
with us today.
In fairness to the memory of my mother, I should point out some errors that
appeared in the press. Although she was starting to have a problem with
short-term memory loss (she was taking medication for it), my mother was never
diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
As long as I’m pointing out errors that the press has made, it was my Aunt
Dot who found my parents when she was bringing them lunch that day, as she
routinely did (and not a group of relatives concerned that they “hadn’t
heard from them in a while” – the family was close and caring and saw each
other several times a day). Also, my aunts and uncles all live in separate
houses (not together, as some articles implied), and for what it’s worth, I
am not represented by the William Morris Agency either.
I don’t know how much else I can say about my parents that I haven’t
already said in interviews over the years. Although I always found it a little
uncomfortable, my dad talked a lot about death. He mentioned a few times that
he was planning to go on a diet so that his “casket would be easier to
carry.” I guess that’s where I got my sick sense of humor from. And he was
always talking about how much he was looking forward to seeing his old army
buddies again (in the next life). I sure hope they’re having a great reunion
right now.
As unthinkable as this tragedy is to me, I just know that my mom and dad were
very much at peace with the world and with their lives. And I guess I can take
a small amount of comfort in that too.
Thank you all again for your overwhelming kindness and support. It means more
to me than you can ever know.
Love,
Al
sometimes link doesnt work, too many ppl trying to get it
fred
Jeff Baker
(U62van) cried out...
> well, I thought maybe my music would help me too.
>
> So far, it has. Going up on stage in front of thousands of supportive fans is
a
> cathartic and somewhat therapeutic experience for me right now. I don’t know
> if I can say that the concerts really take my mind off of the tragedy, but at
> least they give me a break from sobbing all the time.
>
> Anyway, I have decided not to cancel any shows – the tour will continue as
> planned. However, I have decided to put a moratorium on all interviews and
> meet-and-greets for the time being – I just feel like I need some time alone
> right now.
>
> The funeral will be a very small, intimate service with only the immediate
> family attending, so please, I ask that you respect our privacy. Just knowing
> that your thoughts are with us at this time is more than enough, but if you
> care to contribute anything, in lieu of flowers, Suzanne and I suggest a
> donation to the Natural Resources Defense Council in my parents’ name.
>
Fred, please send our condolences to Al and his family.
Jeff Baker
Sincerely Lusting Castle Transylvanians
www.castletransylvanians.com
Owner of Interactive Theater List
www.rockytheaters.com
U62van
out to give to him on thur
MIBecky
(U62van) said something. I cared enough to respond with:
> if you want to send condolences mail me with just the message, im printing
them
> out to give to him on thur
Fred,
I just tried to send you an email, but my mailbox took a dump and shut down.
I don't know if it got sent to you. Rather than send it again, I'd like to
point out how truly COOL you are for doing this. There are LOTS of Al fans in
this world, but I don't know how many of them would take such an active
interest in making sure he knows how much love and support he has when he
needs it the most. He gets lots of fan mail. YOU deserve some!
Fred, you thoroughly rock my world. I just had to say it.
MIBecky
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