What would YOU do?

[ladanny]

The sad news about John Blackwell sparked an interesting conversation with a fellow drummer. I'm not sure how many of you know the details about his situation. Basically, he was on the phone talking with his wife when it happened. As you know, John is on tour with Prince playing LARGE soldout shows.

So the question is, if you found out this way, would you still play the show that day and then fly home, or ask to reschedule the show and fly home right away.

Personally, I cannot imagin what it would really be like, but I THINK I would play the show and then find a sub for the following shows.

Thoughts?

[sjj123]

Naw......couldn't play and I'm sure the band would never expect you to

[Dazzler]

Interesting Danny. Nothing in the world can prepare you for such an event. I was in a similar situation not 3 months ago. I was in the middle of a tour of Austria with a blues band and while in the middle of doing a soundcheck I got a call from a friend saying that Howerd, a friend of mine and a fantastic trumpet player that I work with was taken to hospital with a burst pancreas, while they were doing tests, he collapsed with a brain hemorrage and there was nothing they could do, he was waiting to die. As you can imagine, I was absolutely devastated, he was just 34.
I carried on the tour, ringing friends every day who were at his bedside until I just couldn't take any more, I just had to fly back to London to see him and say goodbye. I rang practically every drummer in London and eventually found someone to fly out and do the last few dates for me.
Once the plane landed I didn't know if Howie would be alive or dead, so I ran to the tube from the airport, jumped in a cab and went straight to the hospital. I managed to get there just in time to say my goodbyes (whether he heard me or not I'll never know) but he died a few hours later that afternoon.

It is so sad. I'm not in any way comparing myself to John Blackwell or my gig to Princes', but sometimes music takes a second place. I just had a feeling and a massive compulsion not to be in Austria. I HAD to get home.
We all miss Howie and think of him every time we play.

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[likedachuch]

i think i would have to stop long enough to regroup and to moan such a heavy loss. (that may be years)i'm sure the NPG family would treat it as a family situation and would understand and be there for him not only economically, but spiritually and lovingly.

perhaps to go on afterwards would help him cope with the loss in the future, as a healing thing.

i do not envy his situation at the same time my heart goes out to him.

[zmorton]

I've been through a similar experience as well. Back when I was marching with the Santa Clara Vanguard one of our drumline members was killed, and his twin brother almost burned to death, in a tragic car accident. This happened right before our bigest rehearsal camp of the year.

Our corps director brought in some grief counselors to help everybody out and something that they said was that it would be very likely that the drumline would not be able to play, even if we tried. They were right... after a couple days we picked up the sticks again and there was a major drop off in our playing; as if we had forgot how to play certian things. Over time things came back but I don't think your brain can focus on a technical thing like drumming after such as an emotional blow.

Again different people will experience these things differently but that was my experience. I couldn't imagine that John Blackwell could play even if he wanted to.

zm

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 01, 2004 03:27 PM: Message edited by: zm ]</font>

[Lee Collins]

Did John blackwell quit the show as soon as he heard?
If it was me, I wouldn't care who I was playing for, I would fly straight home.

[Groovemeister]

I have little belief that there is even a question of whether to play hours after the death of your daughter?

There is no way on this earth I could play after hearing something like that. Your own daughter? No way.

I am willing to lay money on the fact that Prince wouldn't have let John play even if he had wanted to...

[peter c]

This kind of tragedy is handled
differently by people.

For myself, I would stop.

[quitou]

That's really hard to say...truth is I don't know what I'd do until I actually got put in that position...I think I'd probably head home right away...I mean, drums are important, but to me anyhow, family is worth a lot more...and especially losing a young child...that must really hurt...Neil Peart was put in a similar situation and he said screw music and drums for a few years...it just wasn't important anymore without his family around...I really don'y know, tough to say....how could you play a show knowing that your 2 year old daughter has died...that'd be a pretty heavy load to carry while trying to perform...

[Pocketime]

Understanding that John has a very tight relationship with Prince and Prince also being a family man I am fairly certain that John probably flew straight home. Family means the world to John and I bet nothing would have stopped him from moving at the speed of sound. Being a father of three I know that would have been my reaction. Gigs come and they go but family is forever. I pray that the Lord will shine His grace and comfort on John and his wife at this horrific time. PT.