This week, well, Friday October 18 will be the 10 year anniversary of my fathers passing. I had to make the hardest decision I ever had to make in my life. Either I stay and be by his side when he passed, or keep my obligations to my band mates (The Playboys) and make the show at Westbury Music Fair opening for the Hermans Hermits starring Peter Noone . Now those who dont know me and my family, my parents were huge supporters of my career, stage parents if you will,, letting me quit highschool to live this life of rock n roll and to pursue a lifelong career. Mom passed 5 years prior to Dads passing. My dad was dying of lung cancer, he battled thru chemo and radiation but 9 month after his diagnosis, the end coming. I had the band on hold, telling them I dont know if Ill make that show at Westbury,, me not being there would have put the guys in a bind, but they were understanding. My Dad wouldnt hear of it, he ordered me to go to the show, dont let down your guys,, the show MUST go on. I litterly based my decision to go just hours before the flight. After our Spina-Sullivan-Hudak gig the night before, I stopped at the hospital. The staff all knew me and I had access to the hospital at all hours. I went to his room, he was sleeping peacefully, on his side with the TV on (like he always slept), his vitals were stable, so right then I called Rich to tell him Id be at the airport. We got to Westbury,, did the Norma routine, soundcheck then the show. I purposely had my phone shut off because, I didnt want to get bad news before I went onstage. We did our set, Gary. Lewis killed it! After the show, me and Rich hit the hotel bar (like we still do). He knew that he had to be close to me, he was worried about me. It was getting late, after many drinks, Rich called it a day, I stayed another hour or so after he left. I needed to be numb. I get to my room, turn on my phone, and I got the voicemail from my wife, crying hysterically telling me that my dad died. Years later, when I joined the Hermits, Vance told me that I wasnt very nice to him that day, I truly dont remember that but if I did come off that way, I guess I had a reason. Ironically, Ill be at Westbury this weekend. Everytime I appear there on that revolving stage, I think of my Dad.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 04:25:04 +0000
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