MIKE PORTNOY Meets AVENGED SEVENFOLD's Late Drummer's Family For The First Time - "A Cycle Of Love And Appreciation"
October 3, 2010, 14 years ago
Ex-DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy, who is currently performing with AVENGED SEVENFOLD filling in James "The Rev" Sullivan, met up with Sullivan's family for the first time on on September 17th in Irvine, CA. Sullivan died on December 28th, 2009 from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol. Chris Epting at Beliefnet.com documented the meeting in his blog, an excerpt is available below.
"The band's drummer, Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan died last December, and since then I have written several newspaper columns on Sullivan, the band, and especially the fans, who share a special bond with this band--a deeply emotional connection to the music, the lyrics and the members themselves.Interestingly, after Sullivan's death, legendary drummer Mike Portnoy was asked to sit in on the new album and then ultimately, the tour the band is in the midst of now.
Portnoy, leader of the famed prog-metal outfit Dream Theater was Sullivan's favorite drummer growing up, so the news of Portnoy's involvement was significant (Portnoy also made big news recently after announcing that he was leaving Dream Theater to pursue new creative avenues).
My family and the Sullivans are good friends, and we met them after the show Friday night. This was the first time they'd seen Avenged Sevenfold, and so they were understandably emotional. Joe, Barbara and their two grown daughters told us they'd enjoyed the power of the show but that obviously, it was strange (and sad) to not see Jimmy behind the drum kit.
Mike Portnoy, who I've interviewed before, was kind enough to arrange for my son and I to go backstage after the show to see him."
Click here for the complete blog.
