August 24 (sometime BC) – May 15, 2015
I have given myself the unenviable task of writing Terry
Jones' eulogy. Terry wasn't just the
singer for the doom metal/NWOBHM cult legend Pagan Altar – he WAS Pagan
Altar. He was the “sorcerer” depicted in
the band's album covers and merch. He
was the spirit behind the songs, the mythology, the ominous stage sets and
costumes. It was all him. It was like someone had taken a Terry Jones
paint brush and just drubbed a little corner of the rock and roll universe.
And he was ours. The
average knucklehead metal fan doesn't have a clue who Pagan Altar are and what
they've done, and didn't give a shit. Even some of those who claim to be into
the more esoteric bands didn't know the name when I waved my copies of Mythical And Magical and Judgement Of The Dead at them. But I will always remember that one day,
almost 2 years ago this month – when a few thousand of us who knew and got it were filled with sheer elation
and pride when Pagan Altar owned the Maryland
Deathfest. Even Manilla Road and Sleep couldn't step on
that stage after them without a bit of unease at having to follow that massive
an act.
I came upon Pagan Altar's music organically – it was through
the British Steel Festival. It was so
long ago I was uploading MP3's to the festival's MySpace site. They were one of many bands I encountered
that way who actually stuck with me. It
took me awhile to acquire their catalog but it was a journey worth taking.
Then with the invention of Facebook there was Terry Jones
himself and of course me being my brash pushy self I introduced myself to him
on the site and we posted on each others pages occasionally. It wasn't until hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast US that Terry and I
really formed a friendship. He seemed
generally concerned about the “indigenous population” of the area and
appreciated that I gave him a bird's eye view of the destruction, only a
fraction of which was in the media in the UK.
Terry went above and beyond getting me and a friend into
Maryland Deathfest in 2013. I could give
a rats ass about the rest of the bands – I was only there to see Pagan
Altar. I am so fortunate to have been
given the opportunity to spend time with him and his wife Lynn as they sampled
some basic American fare that must have seemed completely outrageous to
them. And knowing Terry, he won't mind
me saying how uncomfortable I felt watching him feed his wife a corn dog on a
stick!! Terry personally handed me my 2 Pagan Altar patches and “sorcerer”
necklace – all of which I wear with the greatest of pride. I will never forget walking around the
festival with them, and being stopped by every other person who wanted to take
a photo with him or just shake his hand to THANK HIM for his music and making
the trip to America. He was a true gentleman and as tired and jet
lagged as he was made time for every single fan, no matter what state of
inebriation or coherency they were in!!
Later that same year, Terry helped me with a personal issue
from my past I was dealing with. He gave me great advice how to rid myself and
my surroundings of negative spirits and energy.
He was the real deal – it wasn't
a gimmick. I can never express my
gratitude to him for helping me though that rough time.
In 2014 he gave those of us on the Pagan Altar Templar's
forum regular updates about his rapidly diminishing health. He was jumping through hoops from one doctor
to another and despite all the positive energy we were sending him, we all knew
there could only be one outcome. His
updates became less and less frequent, until he stopped posting on all social
media completely. According to his bass
player's girlfriend, Claire, he just didn't have energy anymore. She gave me updates on his health when there
was anything new to report, which was rare – and then it wasn't good news.
This morning, when things are starting to even out with the
health issues my own family member is dealing with – Claire messaged me to
deliver the news about Terry – he had put up a hell of a fight.
He left us with a legacy of music which at one point would
have been lost to time if it wasn't for his diligent efforts to get his own
body of work back from a piece of shit bootlegger who wanted to bleed him
dry. Terry could be downright vicious
and terribly cruel to anyone who hurt him or those he loved – he was a very passionate man which
was also one of his most admirable traits.
He used to joke with me that all these rock stars I had
crushes on (most famously Fast Eddie Clarke) were my “future ex-boyfriends” and
he wondered if he could someday be on that list. But he was special. He was and always will be my Prince Charming.
- Rys
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