Sad news... RockinDeano R.I.P.

[epresley]

I am simply devastated by this news. I had many a PM from Deano--he was not nearly as abrasive as he let on in his posts. Larry and I have had a lot of conversations about the hilarious things that Dean said over the yeas. Just sad, sad, sad. Prayers for Dean's beautiful family-

Tony

[Red13JoePa]

I was just listening to some classic epic Dean voicemails...

One started.."Hey...(muffled, mouth full)...you crooked son of a bitch! You love Schon and those guys...(muffled)...sorry...I'm mowing wings down...anwyay...dude, you and Dan think Journey walks on water....Wake up dude...I love you but come on...and Dan..pffffff talkin to fuckin EEEEEEDDDDDDDDD...anway you're still a good dude, just delusional. Later."

[Scarab Pilot]

I am truly shocked to hear this news. I've always enjoyed Deano's posts and kind of figured most of it was an internet persona, which is fine. I'm enjoying reading all the posts from folks who had the privledge to know Dean away from the internet because really, all of us are not completely ourselves on the internet which is the beauty of the internet.

I will miss his knowledge and insight into Journey and other bands. I always looked forward to his rants and watcing his debates with other posters, knowing that he's most likely not that brash in his private life.

Dean, rest in peace. Lula and Wyatt, may God's angels protect you and confort you during this very painful time.

Peace to all.

[conversationpc]

I was just listening to some classic epic Dean voicemails...

One started.."Hey...(muffled, mouth full)...you crooked son of a bitch! You love Schon and those guys...(muffled)...sorry...I'm mowing wings down...anwyay...dude, you and Dan think Journey walks on water....Wake up dude...I love you but come on...and Dan..pffffff talkin to fuckin EEEEEEDDDDDDDDD...anway you're still a good dude, just delusional. Later."

[NealIsGod]

Dean was responsible for one of the most amazing times of my life, which was the weekend we spent in Atlantic City with JSS and Journey. Meeting my favorite band was such a gift, and I owe it to Dean. I will never forget.

[Rawbean]

I'm deeply saddened and shocked to hear of Dean's passing....he was one of a kind as so many others have described. I've never met anyone like him. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his Lula, his children and entire family.

Robyn

[Red13JoePa]

Dean was responsible for one of the most amazing times of my life, which was the weekend we spent in Atlantic City with JSS and Journey. Meeting my favorite band was such a gift, and I owe it to Dean. I will never forget.

I remember being on the blower w/ you AR and Dean that morning...You stopped at a beer distributor and I got a soundcheck call...

[belar]

Rest in peace, Deano. You were definitely one of a kind. You will be missed.

[ebake02]

My one regret in here is that I didn't really get to know him personally.

[Alex Landenburg]

Damn.....this is sad news!
Even though i've never met the guy I'm really sorry to hear this.
My thoughts go out to his family!

RIP Dean

[Rhiannon]

The most amazing thing, to me, about Dean was that no matter what kind of back-and-forths anyone had with him on the boards, when you got to know him and even moreso when you were looking him face-to-face he was one of the most genuinely warm and loving people. He would go out of his way to take you aside and compliment you. Real things he meant from the bottom of his heart. ...Except for maybe JT there in Vegas, but again... he was true to himself. From the big bear hugs to the boogers he wiped in the seat at PF Changs. Dean was a one of a kind and I am truly, truly going to miss his presence.

[Eric]

He always would PM me after an argument.....saying something like "I know you hate me" just to soften things personally so nothing got serious. He wouldn't waver on his conviction, but wanted you to know it just wasn't personal.

I'm so glad I responded recently to him that I respected him so much. When I saw the PM I smirked and was just gonna ignore it but for some reason I responded back how I did. So weird.

He told me once he was coming to Rochester to knock me out and then have beers with me. I wish that had happened - sounds like many of you got to share a similar experience with him!

And I've hesitated to meet anyone face-to-face to ever from here, but I'm gonna do it. Someone hold me to it.

Lula.....I'll think good thoughts for your family. Please take care.

[Deb]

Deano used to PM me a lot. Unfortunately I couldn't save them all but this is the last one he sent me that I could find.




"I agree with you that this Mr Big release is NOT a score Andrea gave it....but you brought into it the relationshi thing....something I wouldn't myself do..because Drew needs contacts and fame....perhaps you have way bigger balls than I....I will say anyhing if not to prove an injustice, however, Andrew is banking on this review to sell stuff. I am in your corner here, and a big time freedom of speech guy, but this is going to get ugly fast!

Love The Terrorist. Can't wait to meet you someday? Any chance you can take advantage of off peak fares and come for the LA Mrs Pig show? Stu is coming...? think about it buddy. You and me are the last giants to not have met here.

Love ya B "



Wish I would've made that trip , but I always thought there's a tomorrow ....

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'll never see him at another Cali show or read another pm or post.

I remember one JSS concert at Paladino's......pouring rain and Dean 3 sheets to the wind. I think Angela and Krista were babysitting him that night, and they had packed him into the backseat of the car by the end of the night. LOLing my head off watching him trying to lick the rain off the windows from the inside of the backseat. He's trying to beckin me to the car and I come over and he kind of squishes his chest together with his hands and pushes it at the window, like as if to say push your boobs against the window. I just laughed and told him off. I recall Jeff passing the car at one point and laughing saying something to the effect of "Is Dean grounded?".

The guy fought alot of demons in his life, but he was one of the funniest and big hearted people I've met.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

Receiving a text about this while driving is un-good. And no internet the rest of the day. Here is my Facebook post via iPhone.

***RIP, Dean. I remember our conversations, your politeness and, most of all, your respect for my faith. You never cursed in front of me, you always complimented me and you always assured me that you were OK with God. When we parted ways after the JSSB show at the Whiskey A Go Go, you told me you loved me and not to worry about you-that you were a believer and that you didn't really mean all the things you said sometimes about God-- or anything else for that matter. . Now go find our Trevor and tell him that Daddy's home.

and later...


***Ok. Just for the record, I'm still mad at you for giving our Meet and greets to psycho woman in Florida, you punk. Just sayin'. :-/. Hehe. Deano would have nipped this conversation in the bud by now by calling someone out and calling them some kind of name!

and lastly...

***He was no fluffin saint. Lol!! His passionate hate of phoneys and bullschutters was almost other-worldly! (is that a word?). His rage and attacks against such made him appear to be evil, one might say.

And his bromance with Bryan Adams was very disturbing.... o.O


My love and heart goes to Lula and Wyatt. (((((((((((((hugz))))))))))))) as only the big guy could give--completely and utterly enveloped.

[xflajrnylvr]

Deano I had the privildge of meeting you once in Clearwater but have laways enjoyed your rants and raves on this forum. You will be missed bro.

Lula and Wyatt My prayers go out to you.

Layton

[Red13JoePa]

I got this call one night: "Hey you Schon teabagging son of bitch! I just dropped an upper decker in JSS' toilet tank!! haha. Off now to rip through a sixer in 6 sips! I got Lula's MAC card again!"

[NoMoreTails]

My condolences to Dean's children and to Lula, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss.

Earlier on, Deano and I were on the same side of most arguments on the Journey forum. Later, our views often opposed one another's. Regardless of the tone of one of his posts when we didn't see eye to eye, when he sent me a private message, he was always the same friendly, geniune, yes, even nice! guy he'd always been. He will be missed.

[Red13JoePa]

Look at the traffic here! And we're getting critical errors! He would've LOVED that....

[KenTheDude]

I was shocked to hear of this news but a small part of me is not surprised. He was having some personal problems that looked like recently he might have been able to get passed. Unfortunately the path moving forward was a little too late. I met Dean during the legendary Vegas trip a few years back. I was still known to my Journey friends as “Ken the Mirror Dude” because of the Journey-themed mirrors I used to make for the band and their charities. When he found out who I was his face lit up and said “You’re Ken the Mirror Dude you bald-headed son of a bitch?” “Lula says you’re a good dude. So if Lula says that then you’re a good dude!” Everyone that says Dean had two personas is correct. A lot of times I wanted to hit the reply button and tell him to fuck off but the voice inside my head kept telling me that it was just his online persona pushing people’s buttons. It was good entertainment most of the time. There were a few times where I didn’t care for his style, but overall the people that “got” him knew he was harmless & a good guy. I’ll miss seeing his posts that’s for sure.

[brywool]

HOLY CRAP! I'm so sorry to hear this. I always got along with Deano. He even reached out and invited me to Vegas for Arnel's fist US gig, which always struck me as very cool of him. I enjoyed his posts. They could be super funny, gross, or just weird. This is a sad day for sure.

My condolences to Lula and his family.

[Rip Rokken]

One of my favorite things about going to Vegas in '08 was the chance to meet Rockindeano... I remember someone telling me that "Hurricane Deano" was about to hit Vegas, and within a few hours after getting there, he'd gotten dragged into some crap and was about to bail, lol... I couldn't let that happen without meeting him, so somehow we got in touch with him and met up with them for breakfast. That's when I got to see who the man behind the screen name really was, and I've loved the guy ever since. Not sure if I ever posted this before, but this was at the Flamingo right before we ate.



He was priceless at the P.H. concert... I don't think he actually had a real seat, or at least, not one remotely close to the stage. He kept going from place to place sort of standing in front of other people's seats, and there was this one couple... the guy seemed to be enjoying Deano's company, but his little wife got pissed and ran him off out into the aisle, lol!

Ok, I know Dokken wasn't in Deano's top 5 favorite bands, but I heard this song this morning and for some reason... well hell, I don't know. It's a good song and I think it fits. He didn't build his world with bitter regret... he did something about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCEFGceiMeA

[Seven Wishes2]

I'm completely devastated.

Deano was the reason I signed up for a forum account on MR in the first place, and the only reason I stuck around all this time.

He confided in me on more than one occasion. He was a man who was turning his life around for the better. His heart was as huge as his spirit.

He was also there for me like few others were when I was at the lowest point of my life. He helped me back from the abyss.

I really don't know what else to say right now.

Rock on forever, my brother. You are, and always will be, my friend.

[STORY_TELLER]

Oh man, this is shocking and so sad. I wasn't a fan of his behavior on the board per se, but he certainly added a colorful flavor here and I never wished him ill. My sympathies to his family and friends.

[bluejeangirl76]

Deano used to PM me a lot. Unfortunately I couldn't save them all but this is the last one he sent me that I could find.

"I agree with you that this Mr Big release is NOT a score Andrea gave it....but you brought into it the relationshi thing....something I wouldn't myself do..because Drew needs contacts and fame....perhaps you have way bigger balls than I....I will say anyhing if not to prove an injustice, however, Andrew is banking on this review to sell stuff. I am in your corner here, and a big time freedom of speech guy, but this is going to get ugly fast!

Love The Terrorist. Can't wait to meet you someday? Any chance you can take advantage of off peak fares and come for the LA Mrs Pig show? Stu is coming...? think about it buddy. You and me are the last giants to not have met here.

Love ya B "

Wish I would've made that trip , but I always thought there's a tomorrow ....

B, that was the last one I had from his as well, about the same thing... this was last January... I couldn't go, and now I'm so sorry I didn't. I too, thought,
"oh well, there will be another time..."

btw I'm not a fan of putting private communications out there but there is nothing inappropriate about anyone or really even anyone mentioned, except Deb, and I KNOW she will laugh at what he said.

"Kim, that stupid Mr Big show that Deb is all wet about...its here in LA the first week in April..I thought for sure you were coming....if you and/or Rhi dont come, i am not either. LOL, I am not paying to see that band....I just wanted to finally meet you and a few others I havent seen. I should make a threead on who is going and who isnt.

Hope all is well with you. I see you are backing Cutler in this BS injury thread, as is I. I also see Rhi hates him. To me, this is unfair to the man. We arent in his shoes. He is A TOUGH PLAYER AND URLACHER HAS SAID SO. Oops, I am too lazy to retype that...o well, let me know of your plans."

[Liam]

I've been gone for a HELL of a long time, and I didn't want it to be something like this that brought me back, but I wanted to say how sorry I am about all this. Dean and I had our good and bad times, but I never wished something like THIS on him. He'll be sorely missed around here. R*I*P Deano. And prayers going out to Lula and Wyatt.

Liam

[Rhiannon]

"Kim, that stupid Mr Big show that Deb is all wet about...its here in LA the first week in April..I thought for sure you were coming....if you and/or Rhi dont come, i am not either. LOL, I am not paying to see that band....I just wanted to finally meet you and a few others I havent seen. I should make a threead on who is going and who isnt.

Hope all is well with you. I see you are backing Cutler in this BS injury thread, as is I. I also see Rhi hates him. To me, this is unfair to the man. We arent in his shoes. He is A TOUGH PLAYER AND URLACHER HAS SAID SO. Oops, I am too lazy to retype that...o well, let me know of your plans."

Hahahahahashit... I don't even remember what that Cutler business was about, but I know he PM'd me the same thing and then we went into some Nascar smack. When Jimmie wrecked on lap two last night, I mumbled a little Dean-esque insult towards Danica for him.

[Moon Beam]

Don't know about anybody else here but it does my blood pumper proudly seeing
some of the ole online gang.
Man, this is like seeing old friends at a funeral home.
I'd like to add a couple of my favorite songs from two of his
beloved musicians.

Lady Lula you are all over my prayers.

http://youtu.be/LzzOs0Da43Y
Bruce Springsteen Trapped

http://youtu.be/1N9fz5idB88
Bryan Adams The Best Was Yet To Come

[Deb]

Deano used to PM me a lot. Unfortunately I couldn't save them all but this is the last one he sent me that I could find.

"I agree with you that this Mr Big release is NOT a score Andrea gave it....but you brought into it the relationshi thing....something I wouldn't myself do..because Drew needs contacts and fame....perhaps you have way bigger balls than I....I will say anyhing if not to prove an injustice, however, Andrew is banking on this review to sell stuff. I am in your corner here, and a big time freedom of speech guy, but this is going to get ugly fast!

Love The Terrorist. Can't wait to meet you someday? Any chance you can take advantage of off peak fares and come for the LA Mrs Pig show? Stu is coming...? think about it buddy. You and me are the last giants to not have met here.

Love ya B "

Wish I would've made that trip , but I always thought there's a tomorrow ....

B, that was the last one I had from his as well, about the same thing... this was last January... I couldn't go, and now I'm so sorry I didn't. I too, thought,
"oh well, there will be another time..."

btw I'm not a fan of putting private communications out there but there is nothing inappropriate about anyone or really even anyone mentioned, except Deb, and I KNOW she will laugh at what he said.

"Kim, that stupid Mr Big show that Deb is all wet about...its here in LA the first week in April..I thought for sure you were coming....if you and/or Rhi dont come, i am not either. LOL, I am not paying to see that band....I just wanted to finally meet you and a few others I havent seen. I should make a threead on who is going and who isnt.

Hope all is well with you. I see you are backing Cutler in this BS injury thread, as is I. I also see Rhi hates him. To me, this is unfair to the man. We arent in his shoes. He is A TOUGH PLAYER AND URLACHER HAS SAID SO. Oops, I am too lazy to retype that...o well, let me know of your plans."

I am.

I get a chuckle when I see my sig pic, lol that personality truly was larger than life and hell I'm standing behind a seated Dean and Lula and he's still taller than me.....sitting down! I remember Lu glowed with happiness and was drinking water as she was just newly pregnant with the twins. That was the first night I met Dean and Lu and was scared as all hell, but he walked right up with a big old bear hug and they joined our table........and thus the hockey smack began.

[KenTheDude]

I just realized he passed away on Jonathan Cain's birthday.

[SF-Dano]

OMFG! I am so saddened to hear that Deano passed away! My heart goes out to Lula, Wyatt, and the rest of his family. As I read all 6 pages of this thread, I am reminded of the time where Dean came up to spend a few days with me and my daughter Bryn, who was then a young girl. ( Bryn now is almost 16 years old) This trip happened just before Dean met Lula. I saw Dean in action on here, posting from my computer. It was a hoot! We had a great time. The next time I saw Dean was when he picked me and Bryn up from the Martinez Amtrak station beccause we were going to see JSS at the ARF show in Walnut Creek. The only things I can remember from that trip was going to a sports bar... and Dean and others were drinking some drink with red bull in it... and it smelled like cough syrup. I also remember Sunshine Twilight falling into a gutter and twisting her ankle when they were crossing the street to their hotel. (If anyone else was there on that trip, feel free to post your memories of that time. My mind is a bit fuzzy on who was all there!)

I will miss Dean like crazy..

RIP my friend... you will be missed.

Very sad news.

Met Dean in person for the first & last time at this ARF show. I recall a group of us meeting outside the venue to decide where to continue the festivities. Ended up having a great time hangin with Deano and the rest, sharing many drinks at the bar across the street from the Holiday Inn and then staggering back to the hotel at closing time.

To Lula and all his family and loved ones, I offer my heartfelt condolences. Memory eternal.