I met and spent time with Brad back in 1986, and I can tell you that he was a great guy. I was a HUGE fan of his, and was simply blown away that he be-friended a 22 year old nobody singer from Houston. Of course that made me even more of a fan, and set a great example in my life on how a person in the public eye should behave. I have never forgotten that experience.
Stride also had an oppurtunity to open for Boston a couple of years ago, but the insurance funding fell through, and the show was cancelled. We were obviously very dissapointed.
Aside from personal preference, I believe that physically, Brad was the best rock singer that ever lived. His vocals we're virtually impossible to duplicate over the full length of a show by anyone, and his high notes (and they weren't falsetto folks) were simply outrageous. When was the last time you heard a great Boston tribute band? The chances are you haven't, and that's because nobody can sustain Brad's range.
By the way, he was absolutely fantastic live.
RIP my brother, I will never forget you.