CHUCK SCHULDINER's Mom JANE SCHULDINER: Support Music, Not Rumors

Jane Schuldiner, the mother of the late DEATH/CONTROL DENIED frontman Chuck Schuldiner, has issued a statement regarding the recent rumors that DEATH would be continued by someone else. Here is her message in its entirety:

"Concerning rumors, I have to say I do not see how any body can even THINK they could take over Chuck's band, DEATH. Chuck WAS that band and, being in touch with so many of them these past three years, I do not see the fans accepting any substitute at all. How could there be? The members of Chuck's band will finish the CONTROL DENIED [sophomore] album [entitled When Machine and Man Collide] because that is what Chuck told his sister, Beth and me, he wanted, IF he did not recover. He finished almost all of that album and [remaining CONTROL DENIED members] Richard, Tim, Shannon and Steve know what to do when they go into the studio to complete it.

"[The CONTROL DENIED] album was very dear to Chuck because, while he never gave up hope that he would get well, he was above all a realist and we had many conversations while he was ill about his hopes and his wishes for the future, including that album. The album will be done according to those wishes. As the executor of Chuck's estate, Beth, nobody else, will decide who and when and where. That is the most important thing we can do in memory of Chuck, to make sure it goes according to HIS wishes, not somebody else's.

"All these rumors would not surprise Chuck, of course, much of his musical career was spent denying the most untrue vicious rumors that were printed by magazines without substantiating them and widely circulated by many. Between that and the fights for his rights with the record industry, he was very busy when all he wanted to do was to play his music. He told me that if he could just play for the fans without all that, he would be happy. I believe he said that if troubles were money he would be a rich man. I thought that was a very sad thing for him to say. And so true.

"I'm surprised so many people do speak for Chuck when the only people who can legitimately speak for him is his sister and myself. So if you have a question for either of us about an unsubstantiated rumor, just write to me at [email protected] and either she or I will answer them. And remember, hearing it from a friend, or reading it on the internet or in a magazine does NOT make it true. Remember Chuck's favorite saying, 'Support music, not rumors.' Take care, Jane Schuldiner, Chuck's mom."