JEFF NEAL (BOSTON drummer):

Like everyone else who knew Brad and worked with him, I was, and still am, in a state of shock and disbelief over his recent death. It has been a very difficult and trying time. My heart goes out to all of Brad’s family and his circle of friends. I am hopeful that with time, support from loved ones, and acceptance, all those who are grieving will be able to come to terms with this tragic loss.

I first met Brad in 2003. Throughout the four years that I knew him, I always found him to be a friendly, humorous and kind-hearted individual. It was clear to me from the beginning that Brad placed the needs of others above his own and it was one of his many admirable traits. He would often go out of his way to make me, “the new guy” in the band, feel comfortable. Whether it be explaining to me the inner workings of the organization or simply playing a joke on me, Brad had a gift for making others feel welcome and important.

Brad was also at times a very private and reserved individual. To me, it was obvious that he had an incredible depth of character and that he was also a sensitive, caring individual. Simultaneously though, I often had a hard time reading him as he regularly kept his emotions and feelings close. I often attributed this to his persona, and a simple coping mechanism that he probably developed over his career to handle the attention and notoriety that he had acquired and continually had to deal with over the years.

At no point did Brad ever share with me that he felt unduly obligated or pressured into playing with the band or going on tour by anyone or anything. If Brad had felt this way and shared it with me, I would have had serious reservations about participating myself, for numerous reasons.

In the wake of Brad’s death, one theme that has been repeated over and over by many who knew him was how Brad did everything for everyone, sometimes (tragically) at his own expense. His career as a musician brought him fame, admiration from millions and financial profit, but it seemed that these were unimportant to him. If anything, the role was one he was extremely uncomfortable with and intentionally tried to dispel. Throughout our time together, I saw him as a private, relatively content man with a simple, honest lifestyle, which was another reason why I admired him so. Obviously now, some elements of this belief have been proven wrong, but none-the-less, I will always admire him for the person I knew him to be. It was an honor and a privilege to share the stage with him and to call him a friend. He is, and will continue to be, deeply missed.