BLACK WATER RISING/Ex-STEREOMUD Guitarist Remembers DEBBIE ABONO
May 17, 2010Former STEREOMUD and current BLACK WATER RISING guitarist John Fattoruso has released the following message regarding the passing of Debbie Abono, a well-respected and much-loved manager and promotional machine behind some of San Francisco Bay Area's strongest metal bands (POSSESSED, FORBIDDEN, EXODUS, VIO-LENCE, SKINLAB):
"Yesterday, May 16th, 2010 was by far one of the saddest days for me and a whole lot of other people around the world. We lost Debbie Abono, one of the most beautiful people the world will ever know but heaven has definitely gained an ANGEL!!!!
"I was 21 when I met Debbie and moved out to the Bay Area from New York with $400.00 and a duffel bag to join I4NI along with Bobby Gustafson [OVERKILL] and Tom Hunting [EXODUS]. I was just a kid and so green and clueless when I got there but Debbie took me in and introduced me to everybody in the Bay Area and made me feel like I had been there my entire life. I used to sit with her and just listen to ALL of her stories about POSSESSED, VIO-LENCE, EXODUS... You name it, I heard the stories and the way she told them you can just hear it in her voice how much she loved everyone she worked with.
"We were all her kids, without a doubt.
"I remember being a 13-year-old kid and always reading the inside covers of all my albums and always seeing her name right at the top of the thank-you lists and always wondered who she was and what was so special about her. Well, a few years later I found out exactly why her name was on top — simply because she is, was and always will be the BEST!!!!
"She taught me so much about the music industry and what to look out for and was always there to give me advice if I needed it.
"I am so proud to have been able to have known Debbie these past 16 years of my life and cherish every moment I got to spend with her. I'll never forget her telling me I was her adopted son and just yelling at me if I got out of line… 'FATTORUSOOOOOOO'... The way she would say it will ring in my head forever.
"Thank you, Debbie, for being my second Mom and introducing me to so many amazing people who have become lifelong friends and family. I will never forget you and I love you!!!!"
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