David VanLanding
Mary Laura LaHaye

4/8/1940 - 11/19/2004



In August of 2004, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She was given 6 to 12 months to live and she barely made 3. On the morning of November 18th, my mother who had lived with me for the past 3 years called me to her bedside and whispered to me that she was ready to go to Heaven. I felt helpless and devastated, it was a moment I always feared but I knew eventually would come. At 7:30 PM the following day, the love of my life was gone, it was without a doubt the worst day of my life!! There is not a day that I don't think of her, she was always there for me and her love was unconditional. She loved to see me perform, it is what she enjoyed the most.. She was and always will be my biggest fan and I was certainly hers. Family and friends flew from all around the country which was very difficult because it was Thanksgiving time...some Thanksgiving huh! We laid my Mother to rest the day after Thanksgiving. My brother Eddie took it upon himself to remind me that our Dad asked me to sing at his funeral when he passes and if I didn't sing at Mom's she would be upset. I have to tell you that I was very reluctant. I have sung in front of 30,000 people and to some that might be difficult to do, but to sing at my Mom's funeral I just didn't think that I could do it. When the time came for me to do this daunting task, I was a mess! I was a human grease fire, my emotions were all over the place and trying to get the best of me but when I started to sing I said to myself "David if there was ever one thing  that you need to do in your life, this is it, do it for Mom"...and I honestly believe in my heart she helped me through it! The song that I sang was "Circle Of Life" by Elton John. From what I understand there wasn't a dry eye in the house, I wouldn't have known because I couldn't look up at the crowd, if I would have, I'm sure that I would've completely lost it. When I was done singing, I thought that I was going to collapes, I have never experienced that kind of emotion and I don't ever want to feel that way again. My brother stood up and wrapped his arms around me and held me up. I thank God for giving me the strength and I thank my brother for talking me into it. I am so glad that I was able to get through it! If I sound like I was a Momma's boy well guess what...I am and always will be. I was so proud to be her son and I know she was proud of me. She told me everyday of her life without fail that she loved me and I will miss that the most! I know that this may sound odd but the night my mom died, I had my ex-wife Rhonda by my side, she wanted to be there with me. At the time I didn't realized how much it meant to me but she really helped me through my pain. Most break-ups usually don't end well but Rhonda and I have always remained close, I will always love her! During the days my Mom was sick, I had to take care of all of the funeral arrangements by myself....no good times there! The day before she died, she and I spent time picking out what she wanted to wear ...a black night gown and no shoes because as she put it, where she is going...she won't be doing any walking. My mother was staring death in the face and still managed to keep her sense of humor. I think it was her way of trying to ease some of my pain. The picture of my mom above is the photo we put on her headstone. The funeral home asked me if I wanted a generic poem for the little pamphlet they handed out when you walk in for the service. I said no I will write something myself and on the morning before she died I wrote this poem and had the opportunity to read it to her. She could not speak but tears came from her eyes, I know she heard me.

I would like to share it with you.



LIFE

SOME SAY THE STRENGTH OF LIFE
CAN BE MEASURED BY HOPE
SOME SAY LIFE IS A STATE OF MIND
AND SOME WILL SAY LIFE
IS JUST A MOMENT IN TIME
I SAY TIME IS THE ESCENCE
LIFE SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED
LIFE SHOULD NEVER BE JUST FOR THE PRIVILEGED
AND SOME WILL SAY LIFE AND DEATH
IS SIMPLY THE COURSE OF NATURE
I WOULD LIKE TO THINK IT IS THE BEGINNING
MY MOM LIVED HER LIFE THROUGH US
AND WITH THAT...I HAVE NO REGRETS
IT GIVES MY LIFE PEACE
GOODBYE FOR NOW MY LIFE
I WILL SEE YOU IN THE BEGINNING

David
11/19/04

I have recently added my one and only tatoo on my right arm. It has the numbers 381 on it in memory of my mother. It stands for...

3 words
8 letters
   1 meaning

I LOVE YOU

Bill Aucoin

 


Bill Aucoin passed away due to complications from cancer. Bill went in for an operation but unfortunately passedway during surgery. Bill was better known for being the manager for Kiss for most of the 70's and part of the 80's. Bill eventually became the manager for my band "Mannekin" in the mid 80's partnered with our existing manager Mark O'toole. Bill had some crazy ideas about how the band should be managed. I remember one time he had us do a set in front of a small crowd at SIR studio's in our underwear. At the time, I just didn't understand it and I thought he was whacked but believe it or not the band went to another level in our live performances because before we were not as flamboyant or outgoing until after we did that...crazy I know huh, but it worked. Of course in any band / manager relationships, there were disagreements but I did learn a lot from Bill and I appreciated it. Again, Bill is another example of how cancer has touched our lives and I wish we could come up with a positive cure!!! God Bless you Bill.

Vinnie Chas



I have just recently learned that my old friend Vinnie Chas has passed away. Many of you know him as Vinnie the bass player for Pretty Boy Floyd. I knew him as Vince and that is what I always called him. I met Vince in  the mid 80's in Houston and we became good friends. I was touring with my band Mannekin and many times I would stay at where he was living at the time. I remember many nights Vince, Jerry Cantrell & I would be crashed on the floor dreaming of days of success. One of my fondest memories is... I would be on stage, in front of a large crowd, woman everywhere and Vince & Jerry would signal up to me that they were going to go home. I would lean down confused and ask "why are you leaving? the place is packed", This happened several times and I always got the same answer..."we are going home to practice". Well need I say more? Obviously we know what Jerry went on to do but Vince got to acheive some success that many musicians wished they could have had. I was proud of my friends and still am! Yes the years have passed, we changed as people and didn't talk like we did in the early days but I will always have those memories and will never forget them!

Goodbye for now my old friend...God Bless You!


Carolyn Tydings

5/26/41 - 8/28/08

A few months ago, I lost one of my closest and dearest friends ever! Her name was Carolyn and she like many battled cancer and eventually lost. She was the mother of my old Mannekin soundman and close friend...Scott Tydings. I can't begin to put in words how much I will miss Carolyn! She was there for me in the good times and the bad. She was definitely a shoulder to cry on and to laugh with. I was able to get back to Maryland and see her before she passed and I thank God for that! She really was one of my best friends and I love her alot.

Anne Vallieri



This is my best friend and Mannekin bandmate Tommy O'steen's mother. Let me start by saying she was an amazing woman. She loved Tommy unconditionally and Tommy adored her and so did I. She was a soft-spoken woman who made me feel like I was one of her son's everytime I was around her. Tommy had the same kind of relationship with his mom like I did with mine. He loved his mom so much and he never hid that from anybody. I know it was hard on my old friend but unfortunately we have to move on.
We will never forget our hero's!
I love you bro!

At the funeral, Tommy read a poem and I would like to share it with all of you.


My Hero, My Teacher, My Mom
by jack1983

Mother, I am proud to be able to say
I am your beloved son and you are my mom
for you have been through a lot
and stayed strong through it all
you are my hero and my teacher

You have shown me that no matter what
twists and turns life throws at me
to never give up, and believe in myself
to always look at the brighter side
and to forgive people for their faults

You, my precious mother did so much
for strangers and for those kids
who showed you no respect
yet the few who got out of that life
with your help, those kids
now realize how special you are

You are like a guardian angle to many
and when life seemed like it was going to end
you found a way, you always found a way
I truely believe God has blessed me
when I think about you, my god-touched mom

You are not only my mother
but like my father as well
You raised two sons to be proud men
I hope someday I can be half of what you are
I appericate everything you do

You will never be forgotten as long as I live
I love you with every single piece of me
I am thankful and proud of the person you are
and when life seems too terrible to go on
I will close my eyes and think of you






 

Angus Sinex

My old friend and roadie from my old band "Mannekin" fell to his death on June 8th 2008 doing what he loved to do. Even though it has been a long time since I have seen him, I haven't forgotten his personality. Anyone who has met him would understand what I mean by that. He was a character and a half, he made everyone laugh and I had alot of respect for him because he took alot of pride in his work! Mannekin always had a good light show but it got better after Angus came along. I would like to give my condolences to his family and want them to know that Angus will be missed !

Leslie Glass

Leslie Glass was once married to my old friend and bass player DJ Glass from Mannekin. I sang at the wedding which was in Houston, Texas and although DJ & Leslie divorced a few years later, we kept in touch from time to time. I would see her when she was touring or an occasional phone call here and there. It is amazing to me that God could take away a woman so young and beautiful. Leslie loved animals and would do anything for them. I do hope that wherever she is now...there are plenty of Cats & Dogs to tend to. Again, Cancer is a terrible thing and it touches all of us in some way or form. Leslie, we will miss you!!!

 

Jeff Reid



Some of you might remember Jeff from the band SR71, I remember Jeff as a friend I really appreciated. I got to jam with him in Ocean City, Maryland a few summers back. We got to catch up on alot and talk alot about the old days, he and I talked about writing songs together but unfortunately we lost him at such a young age...you will be missed my friend!!



Circle Of Life
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