Peter Steele dies

Late on April 14 rumours surfaced that Type O Negative front-man Peter Steele had died from heart failure earlier that day. The rumours are now confirmed as true.

Back in 2005 the band faked Steele’s death as a joke, replacing the contents of their website with a mocked-up photograph of Steele’s gravestone. At first news sources weren’t sure whether to believe the latest rumours, except that credible sources were providing them.

Sometime during April 15 it has been confirmed that Steele has died, at the age of 48. Many tributes have already been issued.

Roadrunner Records SVP of A&R, Monte Conner: “We have lost several Roadrunner artists over the years but this is a biggie – this one hurts the most, not just because Peter was a great, great guy, but he figures so prominently in the history of this company (our first Gold album, our first radio success). He was a tortured soul for most of his life and certainly for the entire time we all knew him. Let’s hope he is in a better place.”

VP of Promotions, Mark Abramson: “I remember getting the demo tape of Repulsion (soon to be renamed Type O Negative) and feeling this visceral outpouring of rage in a way that very few records hit me. We went on to be friends in addition to my being one of their biggest fans, and I worked the records with a passion. Hell, I even sold shirts for them in some early shows when they needed help! When we were going to take Type O to commercial radio I felt it like a life mission and for the 2 years of the Bloody Kisses campaign we changed so much — we helped take this label to a new level, gave them and us first Gold records, helped expand boundaries at the soon-to-be-named format of Active Rock radio and introduced the world to a truly unique band. I remember being ridiculed at the Gold plaque presentation picture that I “could breathe nowâ€� as I was puffed-chest proud, and responding that I actually couldn’t! Traveling with Peter to radio stations was always an adventure and fun; Peter was a rock star, but he didn’t know it, which made it so much better! I have so many great stories and memories of traveling the road with them but most would only mean something to me. Cities and shows flood back to me now: Ft Myers… Lubbock… Toledo… crazy nights for sure! We were an important part of each other’s lives. Peter was a unique person with his own issues but they were part of what made him Peter Steele and the later years were not his best years but he was a good person, with a good heart. The only person I have ever known him to hurt was himself. There are so few bands like Type O and very few personalities like Peter. I will forever love his music and his art, and cherish the time we had together. Farewell my friend – be well and be happy.”

Sr. Director of Sales, Kathie Reed Merritt: “The news of Peter Steele’s passing is very sad and my heart goes out to the men of Type O and all the fans who loved and idolized Peter. He was truly and quite literally larger than life. He was everything you would ever want in a Rock Star: a great, off-color sense of humor, a fabulous persona and deep voice that would just melt you heart. And a musical talent beyond words. His loss is so tragic, and I will always be grateful for the education that he and his band gave to some of us at the label . They really helped mold who we are as people in this crazy music business. I spent the better part of three years on and off the road with Type O Negative in the 90’s and love those 4 men like family. Unlike many bands, these guys let us be part of their world, a very unique thing in this day and age. Peter, rest in peace, a part of me will forever be ‘Your Druidess.’”

Opeth‘s Mikael Akerfeldt: “Well, I have to say I am shocked by these horrible news…

“Basically I just want to express my condoleances on behalf of Opeth. Peter and company took us out for a little spin in Germany a few years ago and we became mates with ‘em I guess. Peter was always very kind to us, from the get-go he went up to Mendez and offered him his bass guitar if he wanted to borrow it. I mean, things like that simply don’t happen in the rock business anymore, but I think he had a different view on things.

“Last time I saw him was a few years ago when he and Johnny (Kelly) and Kenny (Hickey) came to see us playing the Irving Plaza in NYC. There was a knock on the door, I opened, and there was Peter towering over me. I said ‘Hey Pete come in…’ and he said ‘You again, I thought you was fired!’ Went straight passed me, grabbed a bottle of red from our rider and started guzzling away in the corner, leaving funny remarks at whatever conversations that was going on in the dressing room.

“The dude was funny, intense, intimidating and overall, a good guy. That was my impression, can’t say I knew him too well, but we did develop some type of ‘heya’ friendship with Johnny and Kenny. I also did a song with Josh (Silver) a few years ago even though I’ve never talked to him in person. Anyways, I just wanted to write something… I am in a bit of a shock I guess…

“Thoughts goes out to Johnny, Kenny and Josh as well as to Peter’s families and friends.

“His and their music lives on, or as they say, echoes in eternity.”

Kreator front-man, Mille Petrozza: “Peter Steele was one of my all-time favourite musicians ever! I’ve only met him once briefly and he was just the nicest guy! Carnivore’s Retalliation and all Type O Negative albums have been a huge influence on my creativity. This is a black day for music! Rest in peace, Peter.”

Lacuna Coil singer, Cristina Scabbia: “I haven’t heard such bad news in a long time. I am apalled, speechless. Silence is more respectful, in these circumstances, I know. But everyone who knows me knows that Peter and Type O were (and are) an IMMENSE influence in my musical taste and beside that Pete was a charismatic, intense, funny, fantastic person. I treasure the moments we spent together on this road and I know he’s rockin’ out both heaven and hell, right now. My deepest condolences to Johnny, Kenny, Josh and Peter’s family. I will miss you brother, my influence and adorable giant. We’ll meet again somewhere, someday.”

Devildriver vocalist, Dez Fafara: “Peter Steele was one of the nicest guys in music, he was always kind to me through the years. I toured many times with Type O and was always taken care of! Big guy with a huge heart. My heart goes out to his band, his family, and his many friends around the world… We have all lost a LEGEND, a voice that will never be duplicated”

Black Sabbath drummer, Bill Ward: “The flamboyant ambassador of metal’s substratum is dead. I am diverted from my next indicated thing to do. I am compelled to pause and digress and re-listen to one of my all-time favourite bands, Type O Negative. I fall into memorable moments, to enhance my first discoveries of Peter Steele.

“I don’t want to believe he’s died. I’ve felt in shock since the early morning sad news of today arrived. Peter Steele – a brilliant musician, songwriter, singer has died. His death is a tragedy and heartbreaking. His passing is an enormous loss to the Metal community and to music period.

“In music, he challenged life itself in a poetic, prophetic, charismatic and extraordinarily insightful way. A world observer, a teller of tales, a renaissance man, a man from the future, a powerful force in today’s maladies and life challenges.

“This man will not be forgotten. I raise my goblet of water and praise him. I thank him, and I burn candles and desire incense aromas to fill our house, now illuminated in his honour. Candles burning outside flicker, and the sea crashes onto the shore. We are still. We are in memory.

“Peter, you will be celebrated forever”

Heaven & Hell bassist, Geezer Butler: “I was so saddened to hear of Pete Steele passing away. He truly was one of the nicest blokes I’ve ever met. He came to the first G//Z/R gig, in New York, showing his support for us. I last saw him in Copenhagen, on the Heaven & Hell tour, where he interviewed me for a bassist to bassist piece. We had lots of fun talking together. I always maintained that the best Sabbath cover was Type O’s version of Black Sabbath on the Nativity In Black album. I always looked forward to hearing what he’d come out with- he was always surprising, musically, and such a very special person. One of the truly great ones has now left the stage. R.I.P. Pete – Bog Blast yea.”

Machine Head: “Our sincerest condolences go out to the family, friends and bandmates of Peter Steele.

“Machine Head shared many a stage with Peter and Type O Negative over the last 15 years including Dynamo ’95, Ozzfest ’97, Dynamo ’97, Le Zenith in ’99, and a number of festivals in 2007 and 2008.

“He was an incredible musician and an extremely funny person, with one of the driest senses of humor of anyone we’ve ever met.

You will be sorely missed, Pete.”

GZR guitarist, Pedro Howse: “Last night I got an email from Geezer with the very, very sad news of the death of Pete Steele. I met Pete a few times along the way and without a shadow of a doubt he was one of the nicest blokes I have met. He was intelligent, charming, extremely funny and well mannered. The last time I saw him was in 2007 in Copenhagen on the Heaven & Hell tour. He interviewed Geezer. He was his usual self, he had us all in stitches laughing and the interview he conducted was fantastic. I’ll never for get the first time I met him. It was G//Z/R’s debut gig at the Limelight in New York city. I was so fucking nervous I could have thrown up for days. We were standing on the stairway to go on stage and I told him I was shitting myself. He put his hand on my shoulder and handed me his glass of wine and said ‘Drink’ to which I did. How could I have possibly refused, ha!!!! I also think that Type O Negative’s version of Black Sabbath was the best on the Nativity In Black album. I’m glad I met Pete Steele and I am very sad to hear of his passing. Another good one gone. God bless you Pete, I raise a glass to you.”

Written by Jukebox:Metal Admin
More: Band News, Type O Negative