Please say a Prayer for my Friend

Brian Jones

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A good friend of mine suffered a heart attack recently, at only age 41. This past Monday, he collapsed from a brain aneurysm due to the blood thinners he was on, and went through surgery. As of yesterday, he showed signs of response, but now has been declared brain dead with no hope of revival. They are going to pull the plug by this Friday if he doesn't pass away on his own before then.

His name is John Fowler, and he is a fellow drummer from my area. We spent many years trading gigs, subbing for each other, jamming and practicing together on drums, and just hanging together. Great times that I will treasure.

This tragedy is not just deeply personal for his family, his other friends and me, but a loss to the drumming and musician community as a whole. Most tragic is that he is a single dad of his son, Sebastian, who just turned 13.

We were all excited for John and his bandmates in Red Alert, when they got a major record deal, and changed their name to Steelheart in the late 80s. A heavy-metal melodic hair band, they were one of the few bands that could really play and sing at the top of their game. John was the rock-soild engine room for the groove. Michael, the singer, later went on to do Mark Wahlberg's vocals for the movie "Rock Star."

They had a top ten hit, "Angel Eyes (Never Let You Go)," and toured the world. Some of you might recognize it.

I am heading to the hospital tonight to hold a vigil with friends and family, and will be gone for several hours. I've embedded the MTV video of Angel Eyes here, and a video of a drum solo he did in Japan. He is one of the best drummers I've ever known, and a consummate loyal friend. I am devastated right now. Please say prayers for John, his family, and his son.

Angel Eyes Video:

[youtube]DUbUSac7Occ[/youtube]

John's drum solo live in Osaka, Japan, in the song, "Can't Stop Me Lovin You" (Solo starts at about 4:40 if you don't like this kind of music):

[youtube]Ir4hOc3_ht0[/youtube]
 
Rest In Peace, John Fowler and remember, celebrate his life, dont mourn his passing.

All the best Brian
 
Unfortunate for sure, Its weird why these things happen to the good ones. Prayers from my family and I.
 
Many prayers going out for Sebastian and the rest of John's family.

Brian, best of wishes to you on the loss of your friend. I'm sure the flood of memories is overwhelming. Take care.
 
Dude...that sucks....sorry Brian, prayers sent out. Your friend kicks ass on the drums!!!
 
Just one more thing before I go: watch his drum solo all the way through. John's personality really shines, and he gets the crowd participating. He genuinely loved life, and he embraced it with a sense of fun, without taking himself seriously. You can see that in the drum solo.

Thanks again.
 
All you had to do was ask.

An impressive musician, indeed. We never have enough of those.

We come, we strive, we go ...
 
May his soul know rest and fulfillment. May his son know he had the love of a good father. And may you have peace in knowing you had the gift of a good, good friend. As I said last summer of my late brother, be sure to daily to tell those near to you that you love them- you never know when you will not get a chanch to say goodbye. Smoke and prayers.
 
Brian,
I hope everything works out for the best. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Anthony
 
So sorry to hear this Brian. Prayers sent brother.
Scott
 
sorry to hear this Brian. My bro is a drummer in PA. I'll pass this on to him. he will surely send good wishes and prayers for a fellow stickman.

Best wishes,
Brett
 
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