Putting things in perspective

I've got two stories coming up in this week's issue of The Weekender, and both are frightening stories. They both involve popular area musicians who I've known for a long time, and though both guys are only in their mid-30s, both recently faced very serious medical situations that could have cost them their lives.

Todd Evans of Bad Hair Day, who is recovering the best of the two, recently had a tumor removed from inside his spinal chord. Todd experienced some very alarming symptoms, which eventually led to his diagnosis, and for a while, he thought he might even have cancer. Todd's OK now, and he'll be back on stage this weekend, but he was open enough to talk to me about the whole ordeal in this week's issue. Todd's been around since the days of Tazz and The Urge, and I know I speak for the whole NEPA music scene when I say we're glad he's back and feeling better. He says he's received tons of support and that he appreciates it.

Lou Marino is known best for his solo acoustic act these days, but has also played with local heavyweights such as Tin Pan Alley, Flaxy Morgan, FreeFall, Midnight Rain and Liquid A. Lou suffered a series of strokes last month, nearly died, and is now recovering at John Heinz in Wilkes-Barre. He's still facing plenty of medical issues, but his girlfriend Jane was kind enough to talk with me about exactly what happened and what he's still going through. Some area bands are getting together on Feb. 27 at The Woodlands to help Lou out. I will be there.

Unfortunately, writing these type of stories has become a trend for me of late. Flash back just a few months ago, to October, and I was doing a piece about Diane Kovaleski, the fiancée of Tony Gordon, the talented drummer for Stoney Creek and M-80. Though I've been told Diane is doing better now, she too was very ill at the time and was in a non-responsive, vegetative coma. Her condition was the result of an artery rupturing during eye surgery. At the time, local musicians rallied together to help Tony and his family.

Think about this: Just a few months ago, all three of these people were untouched by any of this, which reminds us all how fragile life can be. And though I obviously wish I'd never had to write any of these stories and that these good people never had to go through these awful experiences, I'm glad we did them so that you might also put your own lives into perspective. I'm also glad to see the support from the community they have received, especially since Todd, Lou and Tony have all been there so much for others over the years, which I know firsthand. All three have performed at the annual "Concert For Karen/Concert For a Cause," event, and all three have donated their time and talent to help others in need. And thus I have found it satisfying to see that when it was they that needed some friendship and support, people have responded and remembered their good deeds.

When I was talking to Lou's girlfriend the other day for the Weekender story, she said that many people have said to her that "Lou would be there for us" if the situation was reversed.

I smiled and politely corrected her:

"Lou has been there."

They all have.

And it's good to see that I'm not the only one that remembers that.

(Alan's stories about Todd Evans and Lou Marino will appear in this week's issue of The Weekender)