I found out today that Joel passed away. I hung out with him a bit during high school and lost touch since 1997. Here are some stories I would like to share:
Guitar
I remember seeing Joel play Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town at an assembly/music night at KDHS. I would have to say that this exact moment was what inspired me to learn guitar. I remember hanging out in his basement a few times listening to him and his band jam. For the life of me I cannot remember the name of that particular band but I remember a song I quite liked entitled “I, Vampire.”
Monty Python
Remember in Monty Python and the Holy Grail there was King Arthur riding on his mighty steed followed by Patsy with his coconuts? Well, for an OAC presentation Joel got to go as the King and I was his humble servant Patsy along with the coconuts. We had a laugh planning that all out. I’m pretty sure he was the one who introduced me to Monty Python. I remember sitting in his room while he introduced me to a few comedy albums of theirs.
Editing videos
I remember our love of horror films. I was just getting into them and he was a mentor in all things macabre. I specifically remember helping him after school on editing a horror film that he and his friends had filmed. For the life of me, I don’t even remember if we ended up completing it. It would neat to see it if it actually exists somewhere.
These are just three examples of how much of an impact Joel had on my life…while we only hung out for a few years (and not much at all even at that), he was a soul that introduced me to so many things that I hold dear in my life right now…guitar, Pearl Jam, Monty Python, laughter, making everyone comfortable, and horror movies, TYPE O NEGATIVE! How could forget them? I borrowed October Rust from him, accidentally got it scratched, felt horrible and ordered a replacement copy right away. I felt pretty sheepish when he asked for it back and I told him I ordered a new one for him. I’m pretty sure the last time I saw him and Robin was when my Dad dropped me off at their place one Friday night when we had all started college in the fall of 1997.
Here’s more of Joel’s story as it was documented in Maclean’s over the past few years. Article #1 Article #2
And here’s a bonus for all those who knew Joel. Years ago when I started a website, I asked him if he had any concert reviews to add. He loved live music as much as I did (a lot of us from Kapuskasing ended up with a love of live music) and graciously passed along some excellent reviews which I have placed onto this website for historical reference.
Concert Review: King Diamond Lee’s Palace Toronto ON May 27, 1998
Coal Chamber, Anthrax, and Pantera at The Warehouse, 01/29/98
Concert Review: Bruce Dickinson The Guvernment Toronto ON September 21, 1997
Review: Henry Rollins University of Toronto September 30, 1995
Rest in peace Joel.