Long Licks Stars Gather to Say Goodbye to Drummer at Private Funeral
Leif Eccles, Malcolm Holt and More Mourn Gio Barone
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Gio Barone’s bandmates and friends celebrated his life on Friday during an intimate graveside ceremony in Los Angeles.
*slideshow of photos from parking lot and drones*
Barry Brooks, the KLAS rock radio host who was a close friend of Barone, shared reflections on the funeral and confirmed the bandmembers’ attendance. “Gio Barone has now been laid to rest in LA. It has been an emotional couple of days to say the least, saying farewell to an icon and long-time friend,” Brooks wrote on social media. “The service went as well as it could and was attended by a small group of family and close friends, including the members of the Long Licks.”
Brooks also announced plans for a future tribute show to honorthe drummer with the blessing of Barone’s next of kin. “That’s something I feel, and many others feel, is deserved and should happen,” Brooks wrote.
Barone died in LA a week ago, at age 45. Barone’s rep, Danny Conlan, attributed his death to an “unfortunate drug overdose,” though a specific cause of death has yet to be filed by the LA coroner.
The Long Licks bassist,Beau Benoit, shared a sweet tribute on social media to the drummer shortly after his death. “Our hearts are broken. Gio is gone. But no one can touch his legacy,” he wrote. “Lick up every moment because you don’t know when it’ll be your last.”
Lead singer,Leif Ecclesposted, “Gio was the eternal rock soldier. Long may his legacy live on!”
Guitarist,Malcolm Holtposted a throwback photo of himself and Barone from their childhood with the caption, “What an honor it was to call you best friend. The void you’ve left behind will never be filled. Lick it all up in heaven, brother.”
Earlier that day, the band shared a joint statement, describing Barone as “an essential and irreplaceable rock legend.” Barone’s bandmates added, “He is and will always be a part of the Long Licks legacy. His loss leaves the kind of hole that will never heal.”
Gio Barone was 45.
RIP
Chapter 20
Mal
The worst day of my life was finally here.
And that was saying a lot, given my history.
I’d been arrested six times. Overdosed in Thailand. Fell off the stage in Minneapolis and broke my leg in two places.
All that paled in comparison to the shitshow today was going to be.
We opted for a graveside service early in the morning for Gio, hoping to put off the media by scheduling it quickly and quietly.
I still hadn’t been able to get ahold of Gio’s girl, Amaya. Ryker and Beau were trying too. I hadn’t heard from Leif since that first night at my place. Ryker was in charge getting the service details to the asshole. I didn’t want to talk to him.
It felt like my entire life was fracturing, and I didn’t know what or who to hold onto.
I was pulling away from Saylor. This wasn’t the life I’d promised her.
But then maybe I’d sold myself on the same fairytale—that my band breaking up wouldn’t also break my heart.
I sighed, staring sightlessly out the window of our hired car. Given the many ways this could all fall to pieces, I didn’t want to trust the lives of my loved ones to my driving skills. I’d no doubt be arrested for manslaughter because I wouldn’t even slow downif one of those asshole paps jumped in front of the car to get a good picture.
Fuck ‘em all.
The strained silence in the cab of the car was broken only by the lilting tones of whatever elevator music the driver had put on. It was starting to feel like a special kind of torture. Seriously, who played easy listening when they were driving a fucking rock god around town?
“Hey!” I called as I leaned forward. “Could you at least put some decent music on?”
“Uh, sure thing. I mean, yes sir.” A few seconds later the Tin Gods anthem ‘Nowhere to Hide’blared over the speakers mid-song.
