In Loving Memory

Shortly after the launch of Hard Rock Daddy in March of this year, a review of Alter Bridge’s “In Loving Memory” was featured on the site.  The live performance, shot in Amsterdam, with the crowd participation, made for an incredibly moving experience.  Mark Tremonti wrote the song for his mother after she passed away.  In a recent interview with Tremonti, I asked him about his emotions as the crowd sang his lyrics in unison.  The interview hasn’t posted yet, because as it was being prepared, I received a call from my mother that she was going into the hospital for testing.  Surgery followed immediately on that day, but there were complications, and she never woke up.

The sudden loss of my mother has been incredibly shocking and painful, causing an extended hiatus for new posts on Hard Rock Daddy.

Hard Rock Daddy readers are used to seeing Three For Thursday each week, but returning to business as usual without an explanation about what has been going on seemed inappropriate.  Three For Thursday will resume next week, and the missing Octane Big ‘Uns Countdown and Billboard Hard Rock Albums Chart recaps will post in the coming days.

Having lost my father in 2001, I was able to relate to the pain that Tremonti felt when writing “In Loving Memory,” but the song hits much closer to home as I listen to it today.  The pain is much more intense than it has ever been when listening to this amazing song, but it also brings some comfort in knowing that there are others out there who can relate to what I’m going through at this time.

I dedicate this song to my mom for everything that she was to me, and for the inspiration that she will continue to be as I move forward in life.  “In Loving Memory,” I thank you for everything, Mom…

Thanks for all you’ve done
I’ve missed you for so long
I can’t believe you’re gone
You still live in me
I feel you in the wind
You guide me constantly

I never knew what it was to be alone, no
Cause you were always there for me
You were always there waiting
But now I come home and I miss your face so
Smiling down on me
I close my eyes to see

And I know, you’re a part of me
And it’s your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can’t hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me…ooooo ooooo ooooo

I carry the things that remind me of you
In loving memory of
The one that was so true
You were as kind as you could be
And even though you’re gone
You still mean the world to me

I never knew what it was to be alone, no
Cause you were always there for me
You were always waiting
But now I come home and it’s not the same, no
It feels empty and alone
I can’t believe you’re gone

And I know, you’re a part of me
And it’s your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can’t hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me

I’m glad He set you free from sorrow
I’ll still love you more tomorrow
And you will be here with me still

And what you did you did with feeling
And you always found the meaning
And you always will
Yeah you always will
Yeah you always will…ooooo ooooo ooooo

And I know, you’re a part of me
And it’s your song that sets me free
I sing it while I feel I can’t hold on
I sing tonight cause it comforts me