I believe this is a promotional photo done of Peter.
I found it on TON memorial site
When you think "rock star" an image arises in your mind of a priviledged musician who would shake your hand as you are buying their cd, but may not look you in the eye or acknowledge your existence. I've been to hundreds of 'meet & greets' for various rockstars and have witnessed this phenomenon. The 'meet & greets' are a necessary evil -- esp for newer bands who are trying to connect to their audience. It's rare that a star will make eye contact ... it's even more rare when they look in your eye, shake your hand, ask you about your life and hand you their phone number. But this was Pete. Many a tour, he'd come home with scraps of papers with notes that he took while on tour. Notes about interesting people he met. Phone numbers of artists he talked with or saw their work. I know, because he'd ask me to write it up for him.
For the people who never met Peter, I want to say that the link to the article about Peter hugging a wheelchair bound fan is not an unusual thing for him. He wasn't the type of guy who was only concerned about a person while the camera's were rolling. He was the type of guy who graciously thanked his fans for supporting him. When he met people, he asked about THEIR life and THEIR job. Whether the person was an artist, fellow musician, construction worker, soldier, writer -- he was genuinely interested in knowing about who that person was and was appreciative that they took time from their lives to buy a ticket to see him.
In fact, during these chance meetings, there were many people who would say that they were unemployed, or that they had career aspirations that they couldn't accomplish. In those cases -- and I've heard, seen and witnessed thousands of times -- Peter offering his heartfelt advice or help to them. If you became friendly with him, he'd include you in his circle of business associates. From AA mentors to friends of friends to family members, if Peter felt something for you, he wanted to help bring you into his circle. He wanted you to be successful.
How many rockstars have you met that offered you their phone numbers and gave you their home addresses so you could "pop by" when you are in town? That's the kind of guy he was ...
(My apologies to referring to Peter as a "rockstar" in this blog. Pete would have rolled his eyes & ordered me to take this out of the posting if he was here. The problem is, I can't figure out another title for him. Maybe artist extraordinaire? )
http://blog.timesunion.com/marshall/a-lighter-side-of-peter-steele-1962-2010/410/#comment-12141
Peter was real and true, thats why he was so special. The fact that he was in a "famous" band and still stayed real makes him even more of an extraordinary person. What a man...What a soul
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we could clone him from his families DNA
This is the #1 reason I love and admire Peter so much. So many artists out there forget that, without their fans, they are nothing. Peter always made time for his fans, and then to go the extra mile to try to help people just sets him apart even more for those Rockstars...He is a rockstar, just in a different way. A way that you very rarely see, and probably wont see again...
ReplyDelete-Kristen
that is a beautiful picture of peter! just lovely
ReplyDeleteas I said before...he was one of those very special one in a million kind of guys who actually cared.even when sick he thought of others than himself. you could tell in some pics that I have seen that he wasnt feeling good but he still was there for the fans..now thats dedication for ya. he was the best and will always be in our hearts. he'll forever be our special green man and our gentle giant who we still love and miss dearly everyday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for spotlighting that times union piece, everybody who follows this blog should give it a read! The fact it was written by a non-diehard fan even makes it more poignant, imo. I have personally always avoided meeting "rock stars" or any famous people for that matter because quite honestly I never wanted to be let down, I just admire from afar. I know a few people who did meet Peter and they all say nothing but good things about their experiences with him, so I have no doubt he wasn't one of the "holier than thou" rock stars as you put it. I just hope Peter was aware how much he meant to people, just not by those who knew or met him but also by people who just admired from afar. Thanks again. (-)
ReplyDeleteThat is why I believe that Peter is in Heaven.
ReplyDeletePeter IS in Heaven.
DeleteOh, that is so touching. Another affirmation that like as he didn't, he was certainly an earth angel if ever there was one. Wonderful share.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely promo shot! And lovely to read this about Peter.
ReplyDeleteI remmeber being on Fb chat talking to Cathy who I met when I started the Type O Negative Army on FB. we were talking for a while just about life and other things, Peter too of course. At one point we exchanged numbers and I was blown away by this because after reading the story on here about Peter actually wanting to get to know his fans when Cathy and I did actually talk on the phone I felt like I could really talk to her, I even expressed my need to get sober and told her I was thinking about going to rehab and she told me that it would be the best thing I did with my life and I am here to say she was right. 68 days sober...I also wanted to say that my Type O tattoo is a constant reminder never to give up on my sobriety, all I had to in rehab was my MP3 and I had filled it up with APHND and Type O and it got me through those rough weeks, Thanks again Cathy and the Ratajczyk-
ReplyDeleteGreat article. for instance apart from TON i have been a fan of the cult Years must of spent thousands following them on tour. I finally got a chance to meet the lead singer Ian Astbury. I asked him for a pic with me he made a filthy face at me and said "not on your life!" was shocked I see many pics Of Pete making time for his fans. He really was a great man xx
ReplyDeleteArtist extraordinaire is wonderful ;-) I think that's exactly the point Darcie - even if I never attended a meet & greet of any band but I always thought well it's a thing they have to do but maybe not one of their favourite things ;-) which I can also understand of course - but Peter was different in so many ways - I have read many times that he was interested in what was going on the life of the fans he got to know or he gave them his phone number - I mean I never heard a thing like that from any other artist - it is truly amazing that he was so open hearted and it just shows off what a rare kind Peter was - seen from the human point of view and also from the artistic point of view - unique & I think that's also a reason why he reached and touched so many people with his music - because you feel that it is so real and there are so many lyrics that I can relate to so well - like someone has found words for my feelings & I think many of us here feel it like this - something very special.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for another great insight & the beautiful pic of Pete - I haven't seen it until now.
Much love & respect
-Sabine-
Peter is a wonderful man! There is no one like him in the world and never will be because no one could ever compare.
ReplyDeleteReading these stories about peter with family,friends,fans etc..etc.. Just makes the love that everyone has for him that much more stronger. Thank you for sharing :)
Peter was genuine N real, there is NOONE like him and probably will never ever be NE one like Peter again and he will be FOREVER missed
ReplyDelete@ Johnny, congratulations on your sobriety, hope you keep the faith N stay sober :)
Much Love N Respect to the Ratajczyk's always
Amy Wigle
This picture first off is so haunting and beautiful - that beautiful face on those red stairs. Touching and beautiful beyond words. The stories always touch my heart. Peter was a magnificent man. WE wanted him as much as he wanted us. He was real, he was honest. He felt deeply. THat's why we feel so deeply the loss of this beautiful amazing man. Wow I'm getting teary eyed again. Peace and Love to the Ratajczyk family and thank you for sharing again. It's so unselfish of you all. We appreciate it as the fans. Waiting for my Peter Steele Memorial TShirt to arrive. Will wear it proudly.
ReplyDeleteThis story is yet another wonderful example of why we admire Peter. Awesome! Thanks for sharing! @Johnny congrats on your sobriety, stay strong,& live well.
ReplyDeletePeace.
@Johnny Caputo. I would just like to congratulate you on your 68 days of sobriety. I am 4 years and 7 months sober and let me tell you it does get easier as more time passes. Just always be thankful and aware of the positive aspects that comes from your sobriety! Stay with brother.
ReplyDeleteartist extraordinare fits him perfectly! And to the fan that wrote about Ian Astbury...he's a complete ass...I've known other people that have had the same experience with him...he's in the wrong business. There are no fans like Type O fans and no other man like Peter Steele! xo
ReplyDeleteI just read this article about Seth and Peter meeting. The picture is so touching of them together. I can see that big man giving of himself and making someone's life that much sweeter. That is a real man, a real genuine good soul. Peter each story is more and more precious and touching. We always knew you were a great man and now we know you were also a caring compassionate man. They don't make those kinds of men too often. God did good when they made you Peter Steele. Now we are left with memories of you. Touching memories. Thank you Peter. We love you and miss you.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason I think Peter Ratajczyk was the epitome of what the perfect man is. There will never be another that can live up to Peter. I can only hope to meet him on the other side. Thank you so much to the Ratajczyk family for sharing so much of Peter with those of use who love him. It means a lot to know that he actually was as great as I make him out to be.
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite post by far. I really wish I could've met him.
ReplyDeleteLove this picture but wish I could find the one I had come across about a year or so ago. If I remember it correctly, he's wearing a red shirt, has headphones on, and has his forehead resting up against a wall. Anyone know which one I'm talking about? I haven't seen it on here yet nor have I seen it anywhere else since.
I WANT TO SAY ONE MORE THING. The fans have not forgotten Kenny, Josh or Johnny. We know you're hurting too. We realize that TON was a band, you guys were friends, for a long long time. We feel for you too. We will never forget your contribution to the music world. Your music meant so much to us. Thank you gentlemen for a long history of TON masterpieces. Hope you will release any unreleased music soon. Peace and Love to you all.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 8, just a little girl, I met my Idol, Hulk Hogan. Here I am in my Hulk shirt and my pony tail all smiles. My dad and I waited in line in the heat for 2 hours, while he sat in a nice a/c store, and kept having to take breaks. We finally get in there, and I am just so excited. I give him my photo,he signs it with his head down, looks up the other way and gives this im-so-annoyed sigh and thrust it at me, without even looking at me. Jeeze youd think he would perk up for the little ones. Peter would have never done that, to anyone, let alone a little girl. I will never forget that day and the negative impression that was put on me. And I will never forget that Peter and Type O was soo different. I have such admiration for Peter.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this article, especially, "his presence was so warm." We would have all been lucky to meet him. Some people just have that extra something, a special soul...Peter was definitely one of those rare people. Awesome....
ReplyDeleteHi Darcie--
ReplyDeleteGreat photo! Thanks too for the Times Union article. I have actually seen that before, but I like it because it shows Peter's humanity. Peter seemed to be more down-to-earth than many,(I'm not the type of person who blindly follows any celebrity) and I think that's why he connected and wanted to connect with the fans; it re-confirmed that in his mind. He didn't want to be a 'rockstar'; he wanted to be 'just like us,' and in many ways he was. But he was special too, in his own way, and immensely creative and talented. Thanks for the story and article. Also, I (and everybody here, I'm sure)would love to see some of Peter's own artwork--painting, drawings--if possible.
Thanks again--
Love & Gratitude--Patty P
P.S. @ Johnny--Congrats on your sobriety. Take it one day at a time and be strong.
Peter was very sincere. I have met bands before and after meeting Peter, and some were "nice" some were downright rude but with Peter you never got that feeling that he wanted to be somewhere else. He was a genuine nice guy.
ReplyDeletefor the picture, there was a site called world coming down that had pictures that few had ever seen band-wise that were HUGE, HQ scans. People kept hotlinking them and the girl had to take the site down but it was very awesome and I miss those pictures!
ReplyDeleteI never had the chance to meet Peter, but I'd heard so many great things about him(especially from an old friend who DID get to) and of course the meet 'n greet videos on youtube were awesome as well. You could tell that he truly was a remarkable human being and that I am so blessed to have heard his music before he passed. Again I have to thank his family for their memories of him, we all get to see a whole other side of the person/son/brother/uncle/cousin/friend that he was :)
~Jessica B.
I understand Peter has 4 cats. Who has them and can we see picture?
ReplyDeleteAn amazing story (as usual) ...the picture of a rock star has been an arrogant person who believes the world would not revolve without them..I have met quite a few singers and was enamored with their music and pics..but, when I met them in person was totally disenchanted..I did not have the pleasure of seeing Type O live or meet its members but, reading this story confirmed how I thought a meeting would have went..Peter's passing is a great loss not only to the music world but, to our society since he truly understood what it meant to be a human being..Hugs to the family !!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Karen in NC
@Lauri Golonka. Think I came across that pic your looking for, here's link....http://joeysmart.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/type-o-negative
ReplyDeleteTricia, Cathy, all of us that are connected through this site:
ReplyDeleteAll of us know and understand exactly what Tricia is going through. If not, we would not be here, together, on this site. The loss of Peter to those of us that are fans (whether you have met him or not)is nothing short of devastating. Learning of his death is a nightmare of a memory that will never fade. The pain in our hearts will never heal, the tears that well up as I write this will only temporariy dry. Peter and Type O Negative will always have a profound effect on our lives, in everything we do. I have emailed and expressed my thanks to Peter's sister Pat and to Cathy for being so accessible to the fans through their personal emails, Facebook and especially this blog. For a family that will always grieve Peter you can not understand what it has meant to us, the fans, for your family to invite us in and allow us to be apart of something you have every right to keep private. Instead of leaving us to the oblivion with just what Peter left us musically, the Ratajczyk family have open their hearts and memories and are sharing it all with us. I only hope that being apart of our lives has helped Peter's family in at least some small way because what they have done for the fans is extrodianary.
Renee
What a great site this is!!
ReplyDeleteI'm typing this while tears hit my keyboard and I have to add my own two cents to say that now I'm 100% positive that the good die young!! I've had my own brief encounters with Pete @ some of Type O's concerts and have witnessed his kindness firsthand and have always thought to myself how generous he was with his time & completely down to earth by nature, but to see so many others who have felt the same thru meeting him or just by listening to his music and by reading his families memories if him just confirms what I've always thought about him. I really do believe now that God takes the best of us young. Rest easy Pete! I hope to see you on the other side one day!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks again Cathy and the Ratajczyk family for sharing the family side of Peter with us. It means the world!!! ~Holly
He was a human of EXCEPTION. Thay are extremely rare. He was one of them rare person : genuine, true, real, affectionate, sensitive. An extraordinary special being. A wonderful soul, like someone has already said.. Marylise B.
ReplyDelete