I’ve sat here staring at a blank screen on my laptop for days struggling to find words and understand how one individual’s carelessness can destroy a life and cause tremendous heartache for so many. I’ve gone through, like many others, an array of emotions, the tears well up in my eyes and run down my cheeks that won’t stop to such anger, and all I can come up with is………. WHY???
Ultimate Jam Night is held every Tuesday night at the iconic Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California. No matter the stature of the artist, it is what it’s called – Jam Night – and it’s free to the viewing public. August 1st was not a typical Ultimate Jam Night. This was a tribute to Adrenaline Mob/Trans-Siberian Orchestra/Soto bassist David Zablidowsky, better known as David Z, who was tragically killed July 14th while Adrenaline Mob was on tour.
A son, a brother, a childhood friend, and an artist who was loved by many. Long time host of Ultimate Jam Night Paul Zablidowsky (Paulie Z), with a heavy heart and amazing strength, hosted this tribute to his brother David Z giving the fans an insight into David’s life and love of music, from Rush to Madonna to Michael Jackson and the art of dance adding groove to his talent including the band they formed together, ZO2.
The list of artists performing was staggering. The songs played were not only from the bands David Z played in, they were also bands he opened for and many of his influences. Emotions ran high on and off the stage. I had a difficult time composing myself. Every song had a story. There were smiles, laughter and heartfelt memories of a kind soul.
From the Trans-Siberian Orchestra were Robbie Chong and Mark Wood, Lynch Mob‘s Sean McNabb, Kings X‘s Dug Pinnick, Quiet Riot‘s Frankie Banali and Chuck Wright, The Winery Dogs‘ Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Richie Kotzen, Twisted Sister‘s Dee Snider along with son Jesse Snider and grandson Grayson Snider (three generations), The Cult, Ace Frehley and Owl‘s Chris Wyse, Grand Funk and KISS’ Bruce Kulick, Poison‘s Rikki Rockett, Sugar Ray‘s Mark McGrath, TS0‘s Jeff Scott Soto, Guns N’ Roses’ Ron ˈBumblefootˈ Thal, The Bulletboys’ Marq Torien, The Eagles of Death Metal‘s Jesse Hughes, Mr. Big‘s Matt Starr, Survivor‘s Walter Ino, Heaven and Earth‘s Joe Retta, and Skid Row‘s Sebastian Bach – to name a few. I apologize now where I was standing I couldn’t photograph the drummers.
A legacy scholarship at Brooklyn College will award music scholarships in David’s name to worthy students. He was an active promoter of youth music and younger bands. Please keep David’s name alive and donate at www.DavidZfund.com. Designate your contribution “David Z”.
I’ve never met David Z, even though we were only a couple feet away from each other as I was photographing Adrenaline Mob on Friday, July 7th at The Viper room in West Hollywood, California, giving him the nod and smile of respect after the show as he was speaking with fans.
Little did I know this would be the first and last time I watched this phenomenal bassist. His energy, warmth, smooth moves and smile filled the room. The passion for music was evident.
All photos by Tammy Greene
©2017. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
Opening the night was Dead Poets Society from Boston, Massachusetts featuring vocalist Jack Underkofler, guitarist Jack Collins, bassist Nick Taylor and drummer Will Goodroad.
The story began with a video of this amazingly talented bassist David Z with drummer Jordan Cannata of Adrenaline Mob filmed by EKO Productions.
As the lights dimmed, violins began to play. It must have been the anxiety of the night because for a moment I couldn’t figure out why they were playing Christmas music. Then it quickly dawned on me. It was a song I am familiar with: Trans-Siberian Orchestra‘s Christmas Eve/SarahJevo. David Z played with TSO for 17 years from the very first year, including Madison Square Gardens. The song featured vocalist/guitarist Paulie Z (Z02), keyboardist Walter Ino (Survivor), guitarist Mitch Perry (MSG), bassist Sean McNabb (Lynch Mob), drummer Joe Travers (Duran Duran, Eric Johnson), and violinists Roddy Chong and Mark Wood (TSO).
The Z family’s musical influence came from their dad who was a bass player. This song was handed down to David and Paulie Z, which inspired a rock star life. Performing Foreigner’s Jukebox Hero were vocalist Paulie Z (Z02), guitarist Mitch Perry (MSG), keyboardist Walter Ino (Survivor), bassist Sean McNabb (Lynch Mob) and drummer Joe Travers (Duran Duran, Eric Johnson).
Z02 thought King’s X was the coolest band opening for them several times and became friends with them. Performing Dogman were vocalist/bassist Dug Pinnick (King’s X), guitarist Stephen Chesney (Walking Jonah), drummer Mike Hansen (Hurricane, Paul Gilbert), and helping on vocals was Hal Sparks (VH1’s Queer as Folk, Talk Soup).
The first year David Z joined Trans-Siberian Orchestra he became friends with Mark Wood and Laura Kaye, playing bass for their original projects and their new music video. They performed one of David’s favorites, Led Zeppelin‘s Black Dog featuring vocalist Laura Kaye (Aretha Franklin, James Brown), guitarist Joshua Ray (Beth Hart, Shania Twain), bassist Derek Frank (TSO/Shania Twain), drummer Frankie Banali (Quiet Riot) and violinist Mark Wood (TSO, Lenny Kravitz, Celine Dion, Kanye West).
David’s favorite band was Rush, their band Z02 would cover the song. Performing Tom Sawyer: vocalist and keys Walter Ino (Survivor), guitarist Paulie Z (Z02), bassist Koko Powell (Edgar Winter) and one of David’s high school friends and first drummer of the ˈZˈ boys’ band Legend (a Brooklyn based metal band) Bob Deglioumini.
Z02 was David and Paulie’s first professional band, playing together for ten years, touring with KISS and Poison in 2004, starred in their own TV series called Z Rock and released three albums. It was special because it was David’s music, voice, and vision. He sang lead and wrote a lot of the songs. Performing a Z02 original Aint it Beautiful was vocalist and guitarist Paulie Z (Z02), bassist Koko Powell (Edgar Winter), keyboardist Walter Ino (Survivor) and their drummer of 10 years Joey Cassata (Z02).
David’s love of life and always having a good time he loved doing spoof films. When Soto and The Winery Dogs toured together Richie Kotzen was the subject of one of those spoof films. One of the most amazing voices I’ve heard, doing an acoustic solo of one of his own songs, Richie Kotzen’s I Would. I don’t have proper words to describe how beautiful this was, as I type this I get a little teary-eyed and goosebumps.
ZO2 open for Twisted Sister a lot. Both being family oriented, the families became friends. Even Suzette Snider appeared in one of Z02’s music videos. For the first time, three generations of the Sniders were on stage. Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), his son Jesse Snider and the adorable grandson Grayson Snider performed The Prince and You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N Roll with Dee and Jesse on vocals accompanied by guitarist Steve Dawson (CJ Ramone), Paulie Z and Mitch Perry, bassist Chris Wyse (The Cult, Ace Frehley) and drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big).
Added at a spur of the moment, drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs) took over on the skins for a rendition of We’re Not Gonna Take It. I loved it, everybody loved it. A fun, take out your frustration type of song everyone was singing along to.
Dream big!!! Another one of David’s favorite bands was KISS. He loved dressing up and playing their entire catalog with the dream of him and his brother Paulie being like Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Z02’s first big tour was opening forty shows for KISS in 2004. The dream became reality.
Not performing because of recent hernia surgery, another huge KISS fan and good friend of David’s, Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row), gave a profound speech about hanging out together and David’s love of performing. Bach spoke about feeling heartbroken, frustrated and angry – emotions everyone was feeling. Bach was there to support and remember his good friend.
Joining the stage, another good friend, was Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk) who came out to perform Detroit Rock City with Paulie Z on guitar and vocals, bassist Chris Wyse and drummer Joey Cassata (Z02).
Next, they performed I Still Love You. Joining Paulie Z and Bruce Kulick was the founder of UJN, known as “The Captain”, Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot) on bass, drummer Joey Cassata and David’s great friend, guitarist Bumper Renga (Zero 1).
As I mentioned earlier, Z02 toured with KISS and Poison and became good friends with both bands. David had a lot in common with frontman Bret Michaels, both in great physical shape and both with diabetes. Performing a favorite, Nothing But a Good Time, was vocalist Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), along with guitarists Toshi Yonagi (Jimmy Kimmel Band) and Alex Kane (The Ramones, Anti Product, LSD, Little Caesar), bassist Julia Lage (Kicking Harold) and Poison drummer Rikki Rockett.
David was a huge Michael Jackson fan spending hours learning dance moves, remaking Michael Jackson videos and incorporating bass solos from Billie Jean. He also could play simultaneously melody and harmony parts while moonwalking. Performing The Way You Make Me Feel was Paulie Z, Toshi Yonagi, Alex Kane, bassist Julia Lage keyboardist Walter Ino, drummer Rikki Rockett, saxophonist Katja Riekerman (Rod Stewart), Jeff Lewis (Tierra) on trumpet and special guest, Michael Jackson impersonator, Scorpio.
David played bass for Joan Jett and even went overseas to entertain the troops. He grew frustrated because he was told to stand still on stage, no dance moves, stating this is “Rock ‘n Roll, not the Rocketts”. Performing Bad Reputation were vocalist/guitarist Abby Gennet (Sluts), guitarist Danny Hechter (Paulie Z and the Royals), bassist Christian Struba (Paulie Z and the Royals) and drummer Steve Wilson (Heaven and Earth).
David had a huge crush on Madonna. When Paulie was dating his now wife Lucia, they became good friends because of common interests. She even helped him pick out a Madonna painting when he visited Los Angeles which had been hanging in his room. Performing Madonna’s Like a Prayer was vocalist Lucia Marco, celebrated singer from Argentina, guitarist Danny Hechter, bassist Christian Struba, keyboardist Sven Martin (Liz Phair, T.A.T.u.) and drummer Steve Wilson. A special thank you, singing backup vocals on the perch above the stage goes to Kevin Parker Robinson, Lisa Margaroli, Lisa D. Foreman, Robert Rice, Linda Malouf, Donnie J Gee, Karuna Tanahashi, Douglas Roegiers, Adina Abrahami and Giancario Floridia.
The Winery Dogs have been on hiatus for a year to work on other projects. Frontman Richie Kotzen, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Mike Portnoy did a surprise reunion and performed their hit Elevate.
David and Jeff Scott Soto knew each other very well through TSO. Paulie met Jeff through David and the three became inseparable. After Z02 disbanded, David joined Soto touring the world. As the ˈZˈ boys knew Mike Portnoy from when ZO2 opened for Dream Theater. They met ˈBumblefootˈ as he guested at many ZO2 shows. Billy Sheehan was a major influence to David. You could see the resemblance when David played. Dream Theater is one of David’s favorite bands, Derek Sherinian came into play. Earlier today it was announced on social media there’s a new band in town playing for the first time together live, Sons of Apollo. Performing And The Cradle Will Rock and Burn was vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, guitarist Ron ˈBumblefootˈ Thai, bassist Billy Sheehan, keyboardist Derek Sherinian, and drummer Mike Portnoy.
In tragedy or hard times, we look to others for support. In an interview prior to hitting the stage Marq Torien of the Bulletboys and Jesse Hughes of The Eagles of Death Metal were asked why they were wearing identical white outfits. Torien replied that tonight is about love, white is representing love. Performing the Beatles‘ With A Little Help From My Friends were vocalists Marq Torien and Jesse Hughes, guitarist Mitch Perry (MSG), bassist Jennie Vie (The Eagles of Death Metal), keyboardist Ed Roth (CTA, The Bombastic Meatbats) and drummer Joe Travers (Duran Duran).
Early in the year, Adrenaline Mob was excited to announce the new addition of bassist David Z. It was a mutual excitement. With the recent release We The People, Adrenaline Mob embarked on a tour in support of their album release. Already had formed a friendship with frontman Russell Allan from their work with TSO. This song means a little more to me since I had the pleasure of watching David Z play live a week before this horrific tragedy. Performing Mob Rules was vocalist Joe Retta (Sweet, Heaven and Earth), guitarist and friend of David’s, Howie Simon (Alcatraz, Nelson, Soto), bassist Chuck Wright and drummer Matt Starr.
We’ve learned throughout the show David’s love of props, costumes and choreography joining a cover band Rubix Kube for ten years, eventually becoming a partner helping them grow into a “monstrous show” constantly touring with them. Paulie Z and his wife Lucia started a Rubix Kube in Los Angeles. Bringing East Coast and West Coast together, performing Journey’s Anyway You Want It featuring vocals from the East Coast, Cherie Martorana, guitarist Gerars Steixner, bassist Greg Reigle, keyboardist Sven Martin and drummer Zak St. John.
Continuing on the love of costumes, David Z loved dressing like Rocky from Rocky Horror Picture Show with hopes of performing this life at Ultimate Jam Night Annual Halloween show. Performing Time Warp were Paulie Z, Lucia Marco, brother Brian Z, (family trio) and Cherie Martorana (Rubix Kube East Coast), guitarist Bumper Renga and Michael Martinsson, Dilana, bassist Shane Soloski (Five for Fighting), keyboardist Robbie Gennet (Seven Mary Three, Everclear) and drummer Mike Portnoy.
Paulie Z and family asked everyone in attendance to help him say goodbye and good luck to his brother on his new journey. Performing Bob Dylan’s Knocking On Heavens Door were vocalists Paulie Z and Hal Sparks, guitarist Mitch Perry and Walter Ino, acoustic guitarist Michael Martinsson, bassist Sean McNabb, keyboardist Ed Roth, drummer Joe Travers and backup vocals on the perch Kevin Parker Robinson, Lisa Margaroli, Lisa D. Foreman, Robert Rice, Linda Malouf, Donnie J Gee, Karuna Tanahashi, Douglas Roegiers, Adina Abrahami, Giancario Floridia.
No matter if you have religion, faith or none at all, please keep the Zablidowsky family, members of Adrenaline Mob and their crew who sustained serious injury, in your prayers, good thoughts and well wishes – whichever applies. Be kind to each other, you never know if you’ll see them again.
“Fly with the Angels, Sing with the Stars.” Rest In Peace, David Z.
I would like to leave you with this, a tribute to David Z from Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
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