4.17.2011

It All Began On East 18th Street In Brooklyn

Peter was born into an extremely talented and artistic family. His mother Annette Pallon and father Peter Ratajczyk Sr. met in Redhook Brooklyn, married, had five daughters and 1 son. His father was Polish and his mother being a mix of Irish, Scottish, English and French -- Peter got his intense eye coloring, dark hair, and powerful physique from a good genetic mix.

Between his dad's baritone voice and his mother's artistic talents for sculture and painting, Peter was submerged in music, color, singing, and laughter from the moment he was born. 


In fact, being surrounded by a large family filled with aunts,  uncles, cousins that he saw on a daily/weekly basis -- Peter's early musical and artistic influences came from what was around him. With his sisters anywhere from 10 to 20 years older, they were introducing artists, musicians and a variety of music genres helping to shape the influences you hear in his music thoughout his career. Each of his sisters have musical talents or artistic talents -- so Peter grew up with his family singing, painting, sketching, and playing a variety of instruments.




So, while it didn't concern his parents when he announced he was taking the basement over to be a practice space... it just surprised his parents that it was heavy metal that he was playing. And with his childhood friends, he played the music real loud. Stan Pillis, the first guitarist from Carnivore, remembers his parents coming over to hear the rehearsal in the basement, and afterwards, all the parents took a walk and jointly complained, as parents do, about why "the boys" were interested in that loud crazy sounding music. But, Pete's parents never stopped him from being who he was and what he wanted to express. Even when Nettie was making CroMag loin cloth and fur sashes for the bandmembers, she was proud of the performances that her son created. In fact, she particularly enjoyed making the fur boots they all wore.


28 comments:

  1. How exceptionnal your family is ! no wonder Peter had so much talent !

    Thanks for sharing some beautiful family memories and pictures !

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  2. What a cool family! Love it x

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  3. Thank you for this great story.
    It´s nice to hear the beginning, cause we all know the end.
    Through these stories we are cheating death and keeping Peter alive.

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  4. She sounds like an amazing woman. It sounds like Peter grew up in a really amazing family.

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  5. Thank you again for sharing so much with us! I loved reading about Peter growing up and his wonderful supportive and colourful family! It's easy to see how he became the amazing creative and compassionate person that he was! He is remembered with love and affection on more than a daily basis in our house : ) It's Beautiful here in England at the moment as spring is finally here, and as the trees drip with blossom and it's lush and green...it feels like everywhere we look we see Peter.....Love and hugs to all of you! Mel McAllister xxxxx

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  6. love the the pic of peter in his Carnivore days, its great that he had such supportive parents.

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  7. i think its wonderful to have such an encouraging family that really makes a difference.I love reading these stories ~ he mustve been something else to have as a brother !! thank you for the stories & pics ~ FOREVER PETER <3

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  8. Thank God for Peter and Nettie!! RIP

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  9. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. I can't wait to hear more stories. <3

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  10. Oh my god, and you're all beautiful too. I'd hate you if I didn't love you so much.

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  11. oh my thank you so much for this account of the Ratajczyk home. What a colourful and nurturing environment to grow up in. And how wonderful that Peter's parents were so open minded and supportive of everything he did, no matter how loud. The idea of Mrs Ratajczyk making loin cloth and fur boots had me in stitches. What a lovely lady and how proud she must have been of her boy. To imagine those hirsute post-apocalyptic metalheads in Mrs Ratajczyk's kitchen doing fittings for those stage costumes... too funny. thank you for sharing this with us, it is much appreciated.

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  12. Thank you all for sharing your wonderful memories. ....Windy

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  13. I wonder where those boots are today?

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  14. Such a talented man like Peter deserved a real big money. He should be more famous. He was a GENIUS!I hope to see a movie about him one day, and concerts and a book commemorating his work and him as a great man! Peter always said he is also a Polish. I am proud of the fact that he was a "Polak" and he was wearing a Polish name.

    Greets from Poland!

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  15. Thank you for the wonderful insight into Peter's life. 'Nettie' is one of my (many) favourite Type O Negative songs.

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  16. In your blog you can feel the love between Peter his parents and his sisters, his nieces and real loved ones.
    Thank you for this
    I.

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  17. I think having the support of your family really dictates the level of kindness and success a child/adult can achieve. Another great telling.

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  18. Very special family. Very special man. We were very fortunate to have enjoyed Peter and his talents. I know it's what he wanted to be remembered for. AND YOU ARE PETER! You will be missed by me and many others so very much. Rest well Dark Prince.

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  19. Wow, I love this story.. its no wonder Peter grew up to be such an amazingly creative & talented individual. And kudos to Nettie & Peter Sr (R.I.P) for letting Peter be who he wanted to be. There is so much love in this family.. and I'm feeling it with these stories! xo Carrie

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  20. the entire family is soo awesome and I miss Pete everyday. Just wish more families today could be like them. Its no wonder they are all amazing individuals.

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  21. With all of Gods Grace and with Deepest Heart Felt Sincereity , Thank You for all of the sharing of stories, pics and just reaching out to share that of a fabulous and talented individual as Pete was. I hope that each day brings you and the Ratajczyk family peace and comfort. Please know that he touched my life in so many positive ways. He was asked once how he would like to die and his response, " I don't know. It wouldn't really matter so long as I thought I'd made a difference in the world." I feel sure his music, sense of humor and personality made the difference. God knows, he did for me.

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  22. Thank you for sharing! It really means a lot to all of us. Blessings to you!

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  23. Thanks for this blog, I really miss peter .. his music .. thank you very much, greetings from Italy

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  24. God Bless Peter Forever!!!

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  25. Thanks for posting this picture of you all. Seeing it gives me a sense of peace that I've been searching for. Thank you, Peter, for being in my life for so long. See you when I die.

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  26. I love all this love coming out and showing me just the way Peter grew up. I am still laughing thinking of his mother making fur boots and loincloths. Too funny!!I am grateful for the family's willingness to share these stories with us. It is making it seem as if he is with us. Well, in Spirit he is!! Just watched the Black No. 1 video. Loved how Peter played the bass. it was the 1st song I ever heard of Type O Negative, 4 years ago!! Wish I had known more earlier, but, I can see these tributes, videos and loving testimonies and it makes me happy. Thank you, Ratajczyk family!! I am deeply touched by your openess to sharing.Blessings on your family always!!

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  27. I never knew Peter, who lived 3 blocks from my house was a member from Type O Negitive. I remember his car and, his long hair. His car was always parked on E 18th Street. This is so sad. RIP Peter. :-(

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  28. I am Polish and living in Poland. Whenever I am in NYC, I go to Brooklyn Heights Promenade and listen to some TON music. Peter is still remembered. Next month I'm travelling to NYC too, so I will go visit the memorial tree in Prospect Park and maybe take a walk along the East 18th Street in Brooklyn. <3

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