Singer MOA HOLMSTEN Comments On Passing Of MICHELLE MELDRUM
May 25, 2008Ex-MELDRUM singer Moa Holmsten has issued the following statement on the passing of her former bandmate, MELDRUM/ex-PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum:
"No words can be written or no feelings can be described....
"It's a tremendious loss and so unfair, but then life never is.
"I will always love you, sister. We have done so much and gone through so many things together and I will always treasure those beautiful memories in my heart for as long as I live.
"I know you are happy wherever you are."
Meldrum passed away on May 21 as a result of a cystic growth on her brain that had restricted oxygen and blood flow to her brain, rendering her braindead.
Michelle had just completed writing and recording MELDRUM's soon-to-be-released third album with drummer Gene Hoglan, along with the group's latest additions, Michele Madden (vocals) and Laura Christine (bass). The surviving bandmembers plan to release the CD later this year in tribute to their fallen bandmate.
Meldrum, 39, is survived by her parents and three-year-old son Jake Thomas (father is EUROPE guitarist John Norum). A memorial tribute benefit will be announced in the following weeks.
Michelle Meldrum was born on September 28, 1968 in Detroit, Michigan to a family of musicians and actors, and moved to Los Angeles, California at the age of 13. She started her career in music by forming the thrash metal band WARGOD with drummer Gene Hoglan (DARK ANGEL, DEATH, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD),then moved on to become both co-founder and lead guitarist in PHANTOM BLUE. PHANTOM BLUE released its self-titled debut album on Shrapnel Records in the U.S. (Roadrunner in Europe and Japan) and eventually landed a major label deal with Geffen.
While her career flourished, Michelle married EUROPE guitarist John Norum and moved to Sweden to form MELDRUM. After many successful tours with such acts as MOTRHEAD and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, she reunited with Gene in 2006 when he appeared as a guest on MELDRUM album and events. Inspired to once again collaborate, Michelle moved back to America where she and Gene began writing the third MELDRUM album together.
MELDRUM's "Purge" video (featuring Moa Holmsten on vocals):
Comments Disclaimer And Information