RIP Matt LaPorte
- Thread starter Angrafan
- Start date
Pellaz
Tigron of Immanion
mgirishfan
Member
Rider of Theli
The Hellequin
... not the kind of news I wanted to wake up to this morning. Matt spoke to me last November about coming up to Atlanta this summer or fall and doing some type of show/clinic.
I loved his work with JOP. And I will surely miss him as a friend.
Dominick_7
Member
This is quite an unpleasant shock. The world has just lost a phenomenal guitarist. I'll be dedicating a song to him at my show tomorrow night. I wish the best for his family and the members of Jon Oliva's Pain.
Stay metal. Never rust.
Albert
Stay metal. Never rust.
Albert
This is sad news.
I have gotten to see JOP so many times down here. Always an awesome show and Matt was a great player. He really seemed like he channeled Criss Oliva when they played Savatage songs. He will be missed greatly. Jon must be crushed, them two were really good friends. I hope he is alright.
RIP Matt LaPorte
I have gotten to see JOP so many times down here. Always an awesome show and Matt was a great player. He really seemed like he channeled Criss Oliva when they played Savatage songs. He will be missed greatly. Jon must be crushed, them two were really good friends. I hope he is alright.
RIP Matt LaPorte
Wow, that really blows. I've talked with that dude several times at another messageboard we both belong to. Nice guy.
Wow - this is a shock. Matt seemed to be really nice as a person whether with CIIC or with JOP (when we got to sponsor them at PP), as a player he way great. Seemed a bit like a kindred spirit to Jon, reminiscent of Criss in that way.
Wow, just wow. RIP Matt & thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
jeff
Wow, just wow. RIP Matt & thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
jeff
Visa Guy
Visa Guy
Sad news indeed. I've seen JOP and CIIC a number of times with Matt on Guitar and he was phenominal.
A few years back when JOP was to perform at BARfest I in San Francisco, I and 2 friends (who also attend PPUSA) did the cooking for the all the bands for th eday before the shows started. We did BBQ in the "back yard" of the venue--burgers, hotdogs and chicken with various side dishes including grilled corn on the cob. Matt--a vegitarian--spent the entire day with us joking around, bitching and moaning at us and the rest of the bands there--including his bandmates--about the meat issues, throwing chips at everyone and generally being one of the funniest and friendliest guys I have had the pleasure to spend a day with. He also ate about 13 ears of grilled corn. Then he went on stage later that night and kicked ass. It is a great memory of a great guitarist and, as far as my experience shows, a great guy.
A few years back when JOP was to perform at BARfest I in San Francisco, I and 2 friends (who also attend PPUSA) did the cooking for the all the bands for th eday before the shows started. We did BBQ in the "back yard" of the venue--burgers, hotdogs and chicken with various side dishes including grilled corn on the cob. Matt--a vegitarian--spent the entire day with us joking around, bitching and moaning at us and the rest of the bands there--including his bandmates--about the meat issues, throwing chips at everyone and generally being one of the funniest and friendliest guys I have had the pleasure to spend a day with. He also ate about 13 ears of grilled corn. Then he went on stage later that night and kicked ass. It is a great memory of a great guitarist and, as far as my experience shows, a great guy.
Sorry for the delay....but I will be posting a statement from the band shortly.
It's been a very rough 24 hours. Your love and respect are so very much appreciated.
It's been a very rough 24 hours. Your love and respect are so very much appreciated.
jem777az
Bozzman
I was lucky enough to see Matt play a few times, and always walked away from the show extremely impressed by his talent. His passing is really sad news.
TribunalRecords
Record Label(s)/Vocalist
AMBR
Metal Grandma
WHAT??? Oh, no way! That's terrible. I guess others were more aware of his situation, but this comes as a complete shock to me. Just totally stunned.
booB
Señor Member
Matthew Davis LaPorte- September 11, 1970- April 20, 2011
It is with great heartache and sorrow that we relay the passing
of our dear friend, band-mate, guitarist and brother Matthew LaPorte.
Matt passed away in his home shortly after 6 pm on Wednesday.
No information regarding his cause of death is currently available.
Matt was a brilliant guitar player on all levels. He understood that instrument
better than almost anyone. His knowledge of music in general was just amazing.
His contributions to JOP and every band he ever played with was also without measure.
He was truly a one-guitar army when he needed to be and his solo performances
on all the JOP cd's will forever send chills down our spines. A near 20- year
history and friendship with one of the true greats has now ended and we are deeply saddened.
Matt was a fan of all kinds of music and instruments, having even embarked on a mission to conquer
the hammered dulcimer...one of the hardest instruments to play. He was always trying
to expand his musical horizons and influences. He marveled at the musical greats, both
old and new. He was never one to rate his talents above others and often commented
about the great new music and artists he had just discovered.
Criss Oliva was without a doubt his most profound influence, and anyone who saw him play
Savatage songs knew that Criss was channeling his talents via Matt. Matt's attention to detail and
always striving to play everything perfect is without comparison. We would sit for hours
during rehearsals with him muddling over whether a guitar chord was played exactly as recorded.
Sometimes frustrating, but always appreciated in the end. He was the professionals'
professional when it came to his guitar skills, and the loss of such a talent will be
forever felt.
Matt was a gentle soul, and would avoid conflict at all costs. He got along with everyone
and greeted all with a smile on his face. There was a shyness and almost embarrassment felt
by him from the adoration of his fans around the world...and he had many. He was humbled by the
love and respect music fans gave to him, but in a quiet way, that made him work just
a little bit harder. His had a hilarious, twisted and often sarcastic sense of humor that was
unique to him. A very funny man indeed.
We miss you terribly Matt, and we will celebrate your music and life each and every day.
That great band in the sky just got a whole lot better, and you are in the most peaceful place you
could have ever hoped for. Until we meet again...
It is with great heartache and sorrow that we relay the passing
of our dear friend, band-mate, guitarist and brother Matthew LaPorte.
Matt passed away in his home shortly after 6 pm on Wednesday.
No information regarding his cause of death is currently available.
Matt was a brilliant guitar player on all levels. He understood that instrument
better than almost anyone. His knowledge of music in general was just amazing.
His contributions to JOP and every band he ever played with was also without measure.
He was truly a one-guitar army when he needed to be and his solo performances
on all the JOP cd's will forever send chills down our spines. A near 20- year
history and friendship with one of the true greats has now ended and we are deeply saddened.
Matt was a fan of all kinds of music and instruments, having even embarked on a mission to conquer
the hammered dulcimer...one of the hardest instruments to play. He was always trying
to expand his musical horizons and influences. He marveled at the musical greats, both
old and new. He was never one to rate his talents above others and often commented
about the great new music and artists he had just discovered.
Criss Oliva was without a doubt his most profound influence, and anyone who saw him play
Savatage songs knew that Criss was channeling his talents via Matt. Matt's attention to detail and
always striving to play everything perfect is without comparison. We would sit for hours
during rehearsals with him muddling over whether a guitar chord was played exactly as recorded.
Sometimes frustrating, but always appreciated in the end. He was the professionals'
professional when it came to his guitar skills, and the loss of such a talent will be
forever felt.
Matt was a gentle soul, and would avoid conflict at all costs. He got along with everyone
and greeted all with a smile on his face. There was a shyness and almost embarrassment felt
by him from the adoration of his fans around the world...and he had many. He was humbled by the
love and respect music fans gave to him, but in a quiet way, that made him work just
a little bit harder. His had a hilarious, twisted and often sarcastic sense of humor that was
unique to him. A very funny man indeed.
We miss you terribly Matt, and we will celebrate your music and life each and every day.
That great band in the sky just got a whole lot better, and you are in the most peaceful place you
could have ever hoped for. Until we meet again...
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