We Always Knew Peter Was Special But ...
We knew Peter was special but really, until the funeral, we didn't understand the magnitude of what he meant to a legion of people. From people his age (40s and 50s) down through teen fans, from all around the world , people wept when they heard Peter had died.
Don't get me wrong, everytime Peter had a concert a troupe of family members lined the backstage of the concert. When he played anywhere in New York, New Jersey or PA, we were there and we witnessed the massive crowds, the excited fans, the fabulous and elaborate vampire costumes and the crazy fun happening in the MOSH PIT (remind me to tell you about the time when Pete's mom got caught in the mosh pit). But, really, it wasn't until we had large, heavily tattooed men sobbing on our shoulders at the wake that we realized, OMG -- he wasn't only ours --- the world was mouning too.
When hundreds of sobbing, tattooed, strong looking, long-haired men need Pete's sisters to hold them up and confort them as each man tells you a different story of how Pete's lyrics saved his life... or how Pete sang about all their own fears ... or how Pete said all the things they wished they could utter ... IT FREAKIN HITS YOU ... he really was special to the world the way he was special to us.
But when Pete's eldest sister, Barbara, calls and tells me, "Oh My God The Today Show Just Did Something On Pete," you sort of step back from your own sorrow and think ... "Wow, all those poor fans. They feel what we feel."
Pic: From Halloween - it's how we (and some friends) decorated his grave. Please don't rush online and try to find the cementary. Just enjoy the photo. Much appreciated
Don't get me wrong, everytime Peter had a concert a troupe of family members lined the backstage of the concert. When he played anywhere in New York, New Jersey or PA, we were there and we witnessed the massive crowds, the excited fans, the fabulous and elaborate vampire costumes and the crazy fun happening in the MOSH PIT (remind me to tell you about the time when Pete's mom got caught in the mosh pit). But, really, it wasn't until we had large, heavily tattooed men sobbing on our shoulders at the wake that we realized, OMG -- he wasn't only ours --- the world was mouning too.
When hundreds of sobbing, tattooed, strong looking, long-haired men need Pete's sisters to hold them up and confort them as each man tells you a different story of how Pete's lyrics saved his life... or how Pete sang about all their own fears ... or how Pete said all the things they wished they could utter ... IT FREAKIN HITS YOU ... he really was special to the world the way he was special to us.
But when Pete's eldest sister, Barbara, calls and tells me, "Oh My God The Today Show Just Did Something On Pete," you sort of step back from your own sorrow and think ... "Wow, all those poor fans. They feel what we feel."
Pic: From Halloween - it's how we (and some friends) decorated his grave. Please don't rush online and try to find the cementary. Just enjoy the photo. Much appreciated