Guitarist David Black, from legendary Detroit band Seduce passed away last week after a battle with cancer. Seduce was one of the best-known metal bands from Detroit, mostly for their appearance in The Decline of Western Civilization, Part II: The Metal Years. They were a regular fixture on the Detroit scene in the 80s, opening for touring bands coming through playing The Token Lounge, Harpo's, and Blondie's and headlining their own shows.
Seduce pre-dated my time on the Detroit scene by a couple years, but I heard about them early and often, and their debut album absolutely rules.
From the Seduce Facebook page:
It is nearly impossible to put into words what David Black meant to me. We didn't just share stages, guitar amps, and long nights on the road—we shared a life. To the city of Detroit, they’ve lost a guitar legend. To me, I’ve lost my brother.
David was a man of few words, and that’s exactly how he liked it. He lived his life with a quiet integrity that is rare in this world. He never sought the spotlight for himself; he just wanted to play the music, and he wanted to play it right. To anyone who met him—whether you were a lifelong fan or someone he passed on the street—you know exactly what I mean when I say he was just a genuinely kind soul. He treated everyone with respect and grace, right up until the very end.
He was as private as they come. When he faced his health struggles, he chose to walk that path with the same dignity and strength he brought to everything else in is life. He didn't want the pity. He just wanted to keep moving forward.
David leaves no family behind, but he leaves a piece of his soul in every record we made and every note he played. He belonged to all of us who loved his music, and he belongs to the history of this city.
I’ll miss the sound of his guitar, our conversations, and the simple comfort of having my brother beside me.
Rest easy, David. I’ll keep the music playing for both of us.
Jeremy Porter lives near Detroit, fronts the rock and roll band Jeremy Porter And The Tucos, and plays acoustic shows all over the place. Follow him and them on Facebook to read his road blog about their adventures on the dive-bar circuit.
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