Z best

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We knew him as David Z. His full name: David Zablidowsky.  Also known as David Z Rock.  
On Friday July 14, 2017, He was on tour with his band Adrenaline Mob.  It is reported the RV they were traveling in had a flat tire.  The RV and another vehicle traveling with the band pulled off to the side of the road for repairs. Apparently while they were attending to the tire, a semi trailer veered to where they were parked on the side, hit the RV and another vehicle traveling with them. Everyone but the driver of the semi truck that hit them were injured, some critically.  David was in the RV and killed on site. 

His fame: the hottest damn bass player I've ever seen...and I've seen quite a few.   With the stage presence of a giant- you would never ignore him.  Quite impossible.   A blind person could feel the heat of his performance. 

He was referred to as "A beast" by some of his friends.  He was fearless on stage. My girlfriends and I called him a "horn dog": and we meant that in the nicest possible way. His energy was undeniable, yet he maintained a charming boyish air. On stage: he was a 100% bad ass bass player.  He was superman. He was unforgettable.

David Z the musician was an explosion of energy.  Every note was delivered with attitude, the musicality came directly from his soul. It was driving, passionate, tough, funny and at times incredibly beautiful. He was a solid player, better than solid, he was "a beast" admired by musicians, friends and fans alike.  It was obvious he loved his craft.   It was evident with each note and the joy every time he hit the stage. He never betrayed his music for showmanship, but excelled at intertwining the two.  As a member of the audience, we reaped the rewards. That is why his death struck us so personally. We looked forward to his life force on stage.  The prancing, the dancing, the leaps, the running from one side of the stage to another.  He was scheduled to appear with Adrenaline Mob in Charlotte this September.  The date was circled on my calendar.  It would be another guaranteed night of music, energy and entertainment.  

All that changed July 14th, and the music world is stunned, not to mention the fans of every band he was associated with.  He may not have been a house hold name, but he was legendary and respected as a session musician and performer by his peers.  He was loved by the fans.  

There are some people that just make an impression on life. My husband was one and David Z Rock was another.  They had that quality of being instantly memorable. 

In the hours following the news, I took time to browse through David's Facebook page and noticed all the photos posted by friends and fans.  So many after show photos with fans. Not everyone takes the time.  He always did. He stepped it up. Not only did he understand performing for an audience, he understood the essential connection to the fan.  Whether is was with ZO2, TSO, Rubix Cube, Soto, Joan Jett, Adrenaline Mob or anyone he shared the stage with, David Z broke through the barrier from stage to audience. David Z was genuine. Absolutely real. He loved performing, loved his music and we knew it. His sense of humor and talent was as vibrant as his sexuality on and off stage. He worked it with boundless energy like a young puppy and just as eager to please. It was pure fun- playtime.  It was like watching a kid on stage, and his band mates felt it and fed off the synergy feast.

I first experienced David with TSO 14 years ago with my husband.   A few months later we saw him with his brother Paul & drummer Joey Cassata tear it up as ZO2 opened for KISS and Poison.  They hung out at the merch area after they got off stage, and we hung out talking with Paulie and David during KISS's performance. Both were personable. Funny. The humor was strong and evident in their videos and their show Z ROCK on IFC.  Look no further than "I Like Sauce" parody as an example of his ability to laugh at himself. 

David's warmth and outgoing personality continued at meet & greets throughout his touring with TSO.   He was never an asshole.(Yes, there are many in this industry) Lucky for us, David Z was NOT one of them. He was not arrogant, yet with his talent, no one would have blamed him if he were. He was confident, driven, and one of those people that just made life a little brighter.  The loss to fans is monumental.  Many comments were posted that he was the one they looked for on stage.  He was the reason they ultimately purchased that ticket. Positive energy breeds positive energy.  That connection was imperative for many as they immersed themselves in David's antics on stage to help them step outside of their own lives.  He never disappointed.   

To his family and fiance, there are no words of comfort I can offer. Time does not heal all wounds, but memories make the wounds weep less. To his TSO family especially, Christopher, Jeff, Joel, Alex, your posts are heartbreaking. This tragedy is especially hard after the loss of Paul O'Neill this year.

You need only read the tributes from musicians from around the globe as they react to this horrible tragedy to know the respect they had for him as a musician.
the Blog from Jeff Scott Soto had me in tears. 

There are people that exude something special when they walk in a room or on stage. Je ne sais quoi. Yup. David was the definition of Je ne sais quoi. Time to Rock the Heavens, the angels are in for a real treat. 

~ MLS
author The Loss World

The Loss World Monologues

Addendum:  Scholarship in David Z's Name for aspiring music students at his alma mater, Brooklyn College.See below:

The world lost a massively talented musician and an even more extraordinary person in a tragic accident on the way to do what he loved the most.  His amazing brother Paul Zablidowsky and his family and friends want to keep his memory alive and to have him continue to help aspiring music students at his alma mater.

A scholarship fund was set up in his name. Please donate on this web page and fill in David’s name in the fund designation:

https://secure.etransfer.com/…/Broo…/Donation/donation1.cfm…

Make sure to write "David Z" where it says Fund Designation.

Also, checks in his memory/toward his scholarship can be sent to:

Brooklyn College Foundation
Attn: David Zablidowsky Fund
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210

And please share and spread the word!!

Beethoven and Rock Guitar

First it was Roll Over Beethoven from Chuck Berry.
It was more an insult than a compliment, but it was just the beginning for Ludwig in Rock and Roll.

The Beatles covered this tune several years later, then ELO, (the Electric Light Orchestra) revamped, and completely vamped this classic in the 70's when they added in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony into the 8 minute version.

And then, along came Savatage.
And then the Trans Siberian Orchestra, born of Savatage.

And now, the final performances of Trans Siberian Orchestra's Beethoven's Last Night are being performed by heavy metal guitars, rock and stage trained vocalists, dancers, Electric violinists, keyboardists  & a drummer to end all drummers.  As you read this, they may well be a thing of the past, and only available from members of their Yahoo discussion Group online (I highly recommend it to fans, or those new to TSO affectionately referred to as "newbies")

Most are familiar with TSO as a Winter/Christmas tour group that has 2 bands performing a rock opera for the holidays. It became a part of my Christmas in 2003 in Charlotte NC when they performed at the Blumenthal Theatre: complete with pyro.

The well dressed blue hairs that sat in the audience at that time had a shell shock look on their faces as they were exposed to an onslaught of heavy metal, soaring vocals and a storyline that was perfect for the season.

To their credit, only a few left, but most stayed in their seats as their initial shock melted into awe.

For Beethoven's Last Night, TSO has one group touring.  It consists of one of the finest rock musicians to ever hit the stage: Al Pitrelli, along with Chris Caffery,  bass player Johnny Lee Middleton and drummer Jeff Plate, all one time Savatage members, and part of the core of the group of musicians that now make up TSO today.

Yes, there is a storyline about Beethoven, a narrative that weaves the story, a violinist that is powered by the Energizer Bunny and then some, other gifted musicians, and vocalists that will stop you dead in your tracks.  All that, plus staging and lights that make this a true rock opera.  Paul O'Neill's vision is spectacular...but this is not about Paul O'Neill

It is the guitar playing of Al Pitrelli that  draws me to the performance year after year.  He is like many of the guitarists I admire most: not a poser, but a performer, a true musician and artist.  If you want a compete discography, its on Wikipedia, but here are a few basic points:  A Berklee student, he dropped out and played with the likes of Alice Cooper, Asia, Dee Snider,Stephen Pearcy, before joining up with Savatage in the mid '90's after the loss the incredible Criss Oliva. (Criss's brother Jon is still one of the driving creative forces behind TSO.  More on him and other TSO/Savatage key players at a later date. Remember:  this is about Al) . He had a 2 year stint in Megadeth, but it was TSO, where the creative forces were really unleashed.

He feels the music, and the classical notes written hundreds of years ago are given a new life.  Whether he plays electric or 12 string acoustic, the nuances and subtle tones are there, as well as the strength.

As an observer, I find Al an enigma...much like John Entwistle, there is a quiet power in his on stage presence.  Something is about to be released, and once he opens up, the electricity has nothing to do with the actual plug in variety.  Its aura and energy.
Its as though he were channeling Beethoven himself: challenging the master to create songs that would allow only an electric guitar to sear the soul.  Or steal the soul. The reality is soon evident:  once Beethoven is heard through a Marshall Amp, the world is forever changed.