6.24.2011

Peter Steele Influenced Other Bands

I remember the first show Peter did at Zappa's in Brooklyn. I was too young to go (I must have been around 8 or 10 yo), but I sat on the stoop and watched the band and their friends load up a van and their cars with equiptment. After they drove off, I went back inside to whine to Nettie about not being able to go. I sat with Pete Sr., he put his arm around me and I told him about how I'd be happy to carry in an amp or something but nobody would let me help.



Then Peter called and said he forgot his boots. He asked if someone could drive them to him. Pete Sr. picked up the boots and motioned for me to go with him in the car over to Zappa's. When we got there, a crowd of long-haired, cigarette-smoking barbarians were hanging out in front. Pete's dad  handed me the boots and I ran inside the back door, past this big guy who was guarding it, into where Pete and his friends were dressing for the show. I ran up to Peter with the boots and he smiled broadly, gave me a kiss and thanked me for bringing them in to him. When I just stood there, he said to me, "Wanna see the stage?"  I smiled and he took my hand, brought me over to the curtains where the stage was and I took a step onto the stage. I was so excited. I peeked through the curtains and saw my cousin Nancy in the audience with their friends. I waved at them, but no one really saw me. I knew I couldn't stay, so I kissed Peter and told the guys to have fun. And I ran to the car.

I couldn't wait to tell my friends the next day that I got to go to a club and stand on the stage before Peter performed. It was a great day for me, Peter's little neice.



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HAD TO SHARE:

Biohazard, a band I saw quite often in my younger days with Peter, and who remained good friends with Pete for most of his career, just announced they are dedicating their next cd to him. Check out the link and the video that talks about Peter's influence on the band.

http://www.rockaaa.com/download-news/biohazard-dedicate-album-to-pete-steele-6076

18 comments:

  1. This is awesome!! Thank you for sharing :)

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  2. I love that other bands like A Pale Horse Named Death and Biohazard are dedicating albums to Pete. It's wonderful.

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  3. Really cool story!!! The thought of a little 10 yo girl running through the back door of a seedy nightclub to deliver Pete's stage boots is just priceless! I love that pic of his bass, man I would give arm to own that. Whoever has it now is soooooooo damn lucky! I'm sure Peter Steele has influenced a lot of bands, the guy's voice alone is something to aspire to! All of the emotion he put into his lyrics, you just wouldn't hear what he was saying he made you feel it! Listen to Anesthesia off of Life is Killing Me at the end when he's yelling out "I don't feel anything" MY GOD you feel his pain, gives me chills everytime I hear it! Thanks again. (-)

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  4. that really must have been something indeed! good ole PETE,always thinking about other people and how he could make their day!yeah ive seen biohazard a few times myself,i think its really cool they are dedicating it to PETERS memory,also cool that PETER is the one that came up with their name!
    -erik hernandez-

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  5. Every story I read about Peter confirms what a loving person he was. Is great that he took the time to take you up on the stage. Do you know what type of bass is the picture and what band was he in at this time?

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  6. This is such a sweet story. It just reminds me again how beautiful and warm-hearted he was.
    -Kristen

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  7. Great story!! It made me smile! You must have been the coolest girl in school the next day.
    :)

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  8. That is such a sweet story! I can only imagine what it must have been like to have an Uncle like Pete! Your pride in him shines through everything you share with us on this blog : D Thats also cool that APHND & Biohazard have dedicated their Albums to Pete. I think Chris who commented above got it spot on! Pete was a genius...Vocally their is no one who sounds like him he was totally and wonderfully unique : )

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  9. Pretty sure this is a pix from NY Hard Rock Cafe; that looks like a classic green-accented TON bass.

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  10. Ah, man, I actually teared up reading this. Thank you for sharing.

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  11. I was waiting to see a picture of Peter's guitar. Thank you so much. My eyes are watering again. My son's friend, David, who passed away almost 4 yrs ago also had a guitar and it's mounted on the wall of his mother's home along with his hat he used to wear. I shared that photo with Cathy, Peter's sister, recently. My heart is so full right now. I feel what you're feeling. You all know how much your brother meant to us. He was so strong, so brilliant, so talented. So kind. This story is so touching. Peter was a rare breed. But I know everyone who was close to him and loved him was part of that knowing just how wonderful he was. Just like our David. Every time I see David's guitar I get sad. Stay strong family, we all feel it with you. We loved your brother so much, I will never forget him. I will watch these videos at home because I'm working now. You take care. We love you all.

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  12. Each morning I have a ritual. I light three candles, green of course, and turn off my bathroom light and think of Peter. I prayer for him and I then make the sign of the cross (I'm Catholic) like Peter did and blow them out. That is my way of honoring Peter each morning. Your brother was one of a kind. This story again is so touching. Yes I tear up too each time I read about and see pictures of Peter. He was so magnificent. A giant literally and figuratively. Never to be forgotten in this lifetime. Thank you again family.

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  13. Had a big smile on my face when I read the story and could feel the happiness of the little girl.
    thanks :-)

    Ka angelica

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  14. Two giant thumbs up to Biohazard for dedicating next CD to the great Peter Steele. I will for one be buying that one. Thank you all. The bond between musicians cannot be broken, he was quite a man Peter Steele.

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  15. I agree with Chris, and the emotion in Pete's voice in 'Anesthsia' is unmistakable. TON's music stands out that way. It almost forces the listner to feel rather than merely hear. Technically, the math behind the music is genius, but that's not all it is. It's raw, human, filled with pain, love and the conflicts of life. It's on a level most musicians can only dream of grasping.
    I'm sure Pete Sr knew his son well enough to know he'd offer you, his little niece, some 'cool-time' at that venue. A sneak-peek from the stage must've been so taboo and yet so perfect! Pete's ability to see the world through the eyes of whomever he was dealing with at the time and empathize, knowing what they truly wished would happen and doing his best to provide when possible was likely the reason he was so loved for his kindness. He wanted to enjoy his dream-life and successes but also to enjoy seeing others live dreams as well.
    Wish I could offer some sort of demure comment about my first reaction to the photo of Pete posted here, but really, that might be asking too much this time, especially when I was blaring 'Just Say No to Love', enjoying the deepness of his voice while reading and scrolling down to... *gasp* an astonishingly handsome shirtless bass-on-a-chain-having breathtaking photo of uhh... Pete. I know he was your dearly loved uncle, and this may make me shallow, but... Holy $@#% he was mind-bogglingly sexy! It reminded me of rare occasions when I'd be in his presence and how much discipline it took to just leave him be, knowing throngs of women were competing for his attention, sometimes to his dismay.
    Beautiful men are not always kind, and Pete was an exceptionally sweet, funny, handsome man. Really feeling his absence more lately, even though I was generally just across the way.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7LUSlOs-Ac

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  16. Peter's bass was so huge. I love watching him play it even when it looks like he's pissed off at it or bored with it. He had perfect hands for playing.

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  17. Such a lovely story - it made me smile and once again showing off how warm hearted Peter was - how nice to show you the stage and make your day ;-)
    Wow - this picture is really breathtaking.
    Also I love the thought that other bands dedicate albums to Peter. To me a beautiful way of showing respect as he was definately a big influence on many other bands - simply unmatched & unique & missed without end.
    Once again thank you for sharing & much love
    -Sabine,Austria-

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  18. what a sweet sweet man! how he always managed to include his loved ones in what he was doing and make them feel extra special with a gesture or word. An extraordinary human being indeed and one who's generosity has not and will not be forgotten. Every single band that has ever toured or met Peter always mentions how positive and full of incentive and praise he was. He always had something good to give or impart to someone else and that to me is the true measure of a great Man. thanks for sharing. And kudos to Bioharzard for dedicating their album to Peter.

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