Tributes to The Rev

This is to you, Jimmy, and also to you, Matt, Zacky, Brian, Johnny, Arin and all your friends and families.

What had started as something small and fun, to release your anger and frustration of disappointed hopes, has merged into a wonderful and great gift to this world.

We are all looking for something to hold on to; something that gives us strength and a purpose, but only a few of us truly find this special something. Being able to do what you love (and to love what you do) is extremely rare these days. I have met so many people in my young age that are stuck in a life they hate. And to be honest, I used to be someone like that. Not that I hated my life. I was just genuinely unsatisfied with the prospect of my future.

Right then I found out about Avenged Sevenfold and their music. This is almost two years ago now. The first song I heard was “I won’t see you tonight Part 1”. Everything about this song was intriguing me: The lyrics, the drums, the riffs, the vocals … and I found myself scanning the internet for every little information about this band there was available.

I learned about where you guys came from, what artists inspired you and why one record was as diverse as the other. But what made me a fan was (besides the amazing pieces of musical art you created) the way you guys fought hell on earth to get to where you are AND the reason why you are still as grounded as the rebel kids that started this band in the first place.

Family, and the stubborn will to make this world your own.

At this time I had a total of three true friends, one of them being my best friend to this day. I had fallen out with most of my family and was moving from one city to another (due to college and work). All in all, the word “family” had no meaning for me anymore. But then I saw you guys. I saw that a group of friends had merged into a huge ass (excuse my French) family. You are not blood related but you love and care for each other more than ever.

And together with this love and the combined forces you were creating a type of music a lot of people didn’t like (and still don’t like). But you don’t care about pleasing the masses. You don’t care about the shit storms in all those metal forums. You care about YOUR music, YOUR way of expressing yourselves. You put everything you got in each song on each new record and this is what the fans feel.

This is what I admire about you; what I’m going to admire forever.

Especially you, Jimmy. Seeing the videos and interviews, with you being the crazy guy that you were, is helping me and so many others to stay strong. Our society is as persuasive as ever and manipulating our minds and hearts every day. But when I listen to an Avenged Sevenfold song it reminds me of what is truly important in life.

Family, and living your dream.

Since you guys became part of my life I have found wonderful friends I call family, I have done crazy shit – like getting tattooed and travelling across the country to see you guys play live in concert – and I’m currently studying music management – something I always wanted to do.

You see, Jimmy, you and your friends have created something magnificent. You keep changing lives. Your music, your legacy, helps us to hold on and for that we are going to be grateful for all eternity.

To end my little tribute I want to sing a song for you, Jimmy. I have heard it when I lived in England and my friends there sang it to me when I had to go back home. It’s very popular in Scotland and Ireland so you’ll probably know it. You can chip in if you do:

Of all the money that e'er I had
I've spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all

A man may drink and not be drunk
A man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl
And perhaps be welcomed back again
But since it has so ought to be
By a time to rise and a time to fall
Come fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Good night and joy be with you all

So, today I raise a glass (or many) in reverence to you, Sullivan. Keep rocking in heaven and I’ll see you when my time is up.

I love you forever <3

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