Peter Schekeryk R.I.P., husband of Melanie Safka, record producer, manager.*

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by GAW Jr., Jan 5, 2011.

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  1. GAW Jr.

    GAW Jr. Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    http://www.melaniesmusic.com/

    Melanie's words..from her website.
    ________________________________________


    The Last Tale from the Roadburn Café
    November 22, 2010

    My Dear Ones,

    "Melanie, I love you. I would give up my life for you."
    "Why Peter, why do you always say that?"
    "Because it is true."

    And we would both know that right there, where others might think of it as aberrated, over the top, crazy beyond crazy love, it was true. I have a larger-than-life story to tell, so this last journal entry might be shorter or longer ~ will be, could be different. Of course, one never knows really. I’ll read it over later and tell you if you’ll ever see it.

    Peter, my husband of 45 years, partner, friend, father of our children left his body behind on this Working Legend Tour. He dropped me off at a Whole Foods in Framingham, Massachusetts, said he’d be back, had to get a new phone at Best Buy. Now we’re checked into our hotel, Beau Jarred was in the room, one of those home-away-from-home places. As we were going to be there for the week, I was stocking up. I had gone down all the aisles two times and putting more into the cart that we could ever use in a week and then I thought, "celery", and "oh, these are local apples" ~ it was night and the store was getting ready to close. I sat at the café part and had one of the containers of soup that I had gotten us for dinner ~ I waited and waited and when no message came, I knew it must be from you. I grew uneasy, wavering between anger and nagging fear ~ where is he? I’ll wait outside ~ with my overloaded cart, I went out and sat on a haystack. They were all decked-out out front, pumpkins and mums. The service manager asked if I needed help or something and I used her phone to call Peter. It went right to voicemail. Peter where are you? A man walked across the parking lot, no, that’s not him. Another car like ours, then no it’s not… then two police cars pulled up ~ why two police cars? Nothing bad is happening at Whole Foods… "Are you Melanie Schekeryk?" "Is he all right?" I knew. "No," the policeman replied ~ I think he was experienced in this. I kept crying, No, no, it’s not possible ~ the police said "my son was being picked up to go to the hospital." Beau was in the hotel room alone expecting our call when he was told by a doctor. I went into the police car backseat alone, the grate in the middle, my heart in hand cuffs and I thought, maybe it’s not true, maybe it’s a mistake. I went into the hospital and Beau was brought from the other direction and there was the old Peter the Great. His shell, the energy container, he was nowhere to be seen or felt. He had a soft, self-satisfied expression on his face, almost a smile. We left our kisses on this remnant of himself ~ trying to contact ~ and we did back at the hotel in the trees and wind outside, the autumn leaves speaking in colors through my soul. But Peter has left the building, no mistake ~ He won’t be picking me up anymore.

    The man who was helping him with the phone at Best Buy came to our hotel room the next day. We hugged and cried. He told me of Peter’s last words ~ Peter was my biggest fan, ardent admirer~

    I’m sorry… wait, I can’t, yes I can~

    I was his only client from the day he met me. The Best Buy salesman said he was telling him all about me, promoting me at Best Buy. "Peter, you nut" ~ He leaned on the counter, said, "I don’t feel very well." The kid gave him water and Peter proceeded to tell him how I started the lighting of things at concerts, because of the event at Woodstock. "It was Melanie…" were his last words as they helped him down and called the paramedics but he was gone. I waited and when no message came, I knew it was from you.

    Two nights later, Beau and I did the scheduled show. They said I could cancel but Peter said "No." It was a great night and Peter was there and always will be. I will continue this life… Peter won’t have it any other way. So many of you who knew us sent condolences and prayers and a flow of love that you might want some of the details ~ the last tale from the Roadburn Café ~ We all die. You’d think they would start our first days of preschool with "Good Morning, children you were born and someday you will be unborn. Get to know who you are and love everyone because we are all in this together." But as it is, death is shunned, put behind the doors, "it happens to other people"…"he was in a high stress profession, I’m a librarian." "I stop work at 5 o’clock and leave it in the office." "Not so, even calm peaceful ones will expire and do what we came here to do." ~ life, death, life ~

    So Peter wanted me to write a book and I never could start or rather, I could start and never continue. He even brought along a leather bound book so I could.

    "Melanie, I love you. I would give up my life for you. Write it, Melanie, please, I love the way you write."

    I never saw it was Peter who was the story, the book. It will be Peter’s story, immigrant refugee to number one producer of Melanie, the love of his life. That crazy Peter, sometimes you can’t see it’s a story 'till it ends, the greatest love story never told. I have a lot to do, my dear ones. Please hold my hand tonight.

    Love, Melanie
     
  2. GAW Jr.

    GAW Jr. Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Photo

    Peter
     

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  3. docwebb

    docwebb Forum Resident

    Very moving. Their love for each other runs very deep.
     
  4. JamieC

    JamieC Senior Member

    Location:
    Detroit Mi USA
    Oh dear. My heart is breaking for Mel and the kids.
    RIP Peter.
     
  5. pdenny

    pdenny 22-Year SHTV Participation Trophy Recipient

    Location:
    Hawthorne CA
  6. LaserKen

    LaserKen Senior Member

    Location:
    Avon, Indiana
    Extremely touching. Thanks for sharing.
     
  7. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    R.I.P :(

    I worked with Melanie and Peter...
    He was a character and a great guy...

    so dam sad...
     
  8. houston

    houston Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dallas, Texas, USA
    that's a really sweet and touching read...hope some of the Melanie-bashers get a chance to see your post
     
  9. signothetimes53

    signothetimes53 Senior Member

    What would be the point of anyone here being a "Melanie basher" (though I understand your fear, and share it)? She's obviously a very gentle soul who's now lost her husband. What a sweet and heartbreaking post she wrote.
     
  10. Touching, RIP Peter.
     
  11. BobT

    BobT Resident Monkeeman

    I am nothing more than a casual fan-knowing very little of her music. That being said, I was moved by her words about her husband. I wish peace for her, and her family,friends, and fans.
     
  12. RPhelps

    RPhelps Forum Resident

    Location:
    Athens, GA
    Melanie

    so sad - well written.....:shake:
     
  13. Sneaky Pete

    Sneaky Pete Flat the 5 and That’s No Jive

    Location:
    NYC USA
    My sympathy goes out to Melanie and her family. She wrote a very moving tribute.
     
  14. intv7

    intv7 Senior Member

    Location:
    Boston, MA, USA
    Wow, that's crazy. I've been to that Best Buy -- and that Whole Foods -- many times.

    Very sad.
     
  15. 120dB

    120dB Forum Resident

    Location:
    Baltimore, MD
    Some people here might not know that Schekeryk
    was also a singer and musician. His vocals on the
    1966 single by THE MAGIC PLANTS "I'm A Nothing"
    (on Verve) should win him a place in the 60s garage
    band hall of fame, if such a thing existed. RIP Peter.
     
    psychedelicized likes this.
  16. docwebb

    docwebb Forum Resident

    I didn't know that ...and its a nice song. We should celebrate his accomplishments as well as mourn his death.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuqZRhnduRQ
     
  17. 120dB

    120dB Forum Resident

    Location:
    Baltimore, MD
    psychedelicized likes this.
  18. kwadguy

    kwadguy Senior Member

    Location:
    Cambridge, MA
    Peter ruffled a LOT of feathers within the biz, and wasn't the best guy to do business with. But he did devote himself absolutely to Melanie and her career from the day he met her until he drew his last breath.
     
  19. JA Fant

    JA Fant Well-Known Member

  20. -Alan

    -Alan Senior Member

    Location:
    Connecticut, USA
    That was a beautifully written tribute. How sad and surreal to lose the love of one's life. :(
     
  21. Michael

    Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O!

    I do have to say he was a man of his word...
     
  22. Ocean56

    Ocean56 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Waterford, MI USA
    A VERY moving tribute.....
     
  23. sharedon

    sharedon Forum Zonophone

    Location:
    Boomer OK
    So sad and sorrowing, so lovely. RIP.
     
  24. Raunchnroll

    Raunchnroll Senior Member

    Location:
    Seattle
    Isn't this so for about 95% of those in the (music) biz ? Seems like the norm :)

    R.I.P.
     
  25. Dugan

    Dugan Senior Member

    Location:
    Midway,Pa
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