OFFICIAL HEATHEN STATEMENT
Michael YAZ Wayne JastremskiMarch 16-1963 - May 23,2005
"We are numb and deeply saddened by the death of our brother Mike "Yaz"Jastremski, who passed on May 23, 2005 of a heart attack while going throughdetox. We are shocked at the news, because Yaz left us, HEATHEN, in June2004 after deciding to seek rehabilitation. We felt it was more important tohave Yaz clean as a friend than have him in the band, so we fully supportedhis decision. It hurts to know he died trying.
It is within these moments we strive for some heartfelt expression or to saysomething meaningful, but find the loss of such words. How do you put intowords the feelings you have about losing someone that has walked beside youfor so many years?
We always feel we have another day. We don't think about the words we hopenever to have to write.
There are so many things to say about Yaz, it could not possibly be said inany one statement. To know Yaz was to deeply love him. To say that Yaz wasnothing short of amazing would understate the depth of who he was. No matterwhat we all remember about Yaz, we all agree on how he made us feel and howhe touched our lives with his ability to make us laugh and cry. Yaz madeevery journey an adventure. We are sure this journey will be no different.
Yaz, we will miss but not forget all that you were.
*We are asking radio stations to play "In Memory Of" off the Heathen"Recovered" album, one more time for Yaz."
Jastremski performed on HEATHEN's classic 1987 debut "Breaking the Silence"before leaving the group a short time later to form PIGS. He eventuallyrejoined HEATHEN in time for their appearance at the August 2001 Thrash ofthe Titans benefit concert for TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy.
HEATHEN parted ways with Jastremski in June 2004 over what was rumored atthe time to be Yaz's "continued drug and drinking problems." He was replacedin the group by Jon Torres, who had previously participated in such bands asTHUNDERHEAD, WARNING SF, ULYSSES SIREN, LAAZ ROCKIT and ANGEL WITCH.
HEATHEN guitarist Lee Altus said at the time of Yaz's final departure fromthe band, "We're sorry to see [Yaz] go and wish him all the best. He is agood friend and I'm glad that we parted ways without any animosity and canstill remain best of friends."
Michael YAZ Wayne JastremskiMarch 16-1963 - May 23,2005
"We are numb and deeply saddened by the death of our brother Mike "Yaz"Jastremski, who passed on May 23, 2005 of a heart attack while going throughdetox. We are shocked at the news, because Yaz left us, HEATHEN, in June2004 after deciding to seek rehabilitation. We felt it was more important tohave Yaz clean as a friend than have him in the band, so we fully supportedhis decision. It hurts to know he died trying.
It is within these moments we strive for some heartfelt expression or to saysomething meaningful, but find the loss of such words. How do you put intowords the feelings you have about losing someone that has walked beside youfor so many years?
We always feel we have another day. We don't think about the words we hopenever to have to write.
There are so many things to say about Yaz, it could not possibly be said inany one statement. To know Yaz was to deeply love him. To say that Yaz wasnothing short of amazing would understate the depth of who he was. No matterwhat we all remember about Yaz, we all agree on how he made us feel and howhe touched our lives with his ability to make us laugh and cry. Yaz madeevery journey an adventure. We are sure this journey will be no different.
Yaz, we will miss but not forget all that you were.
*We are asking radio stations to play "In Memory Of" off the Heathen"Recovered" album, one more time for Yaz."
Jastremski performed on HEATHEN's classic 1987 debut "Breaking the Silence"before leaving the group a short time later to form PIGS. He eventuallyrejoined HEATHEN in time for their appearance at the August 2001 Thrash ofthe Titans benefit concert for TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy.
HEATHEN parted ways with Jastremski in June 2004 over what was rumored atthe time to be Yaz's "continued drug and drinking problems." He was replacedin the group by Jon Torres, who had previously participated in such bands asTHUNDERHEAD, WARNING SF, ULYSSES SIREN, LAAZ ROCKIT and ANGEL WITCH.
HEATHEN guitarist Lee Altus said at the time of Yaz's final departure fromthe band, "We're sorry to see [Yaz] go and wish him all the best. He is agood friend and I'm glad that we parted ways without any animosity and canstill remain best of friends."
