The Alabaster Stones (344 hits)
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Submitted by Belle (View user info) at 2005-07-19 10:01:19 EDT
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Monday 18th July 2005: Saul Blackwood, lead singer of The Alabaster Stones was found dead this morning in an apparent suicide, at his home in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA. Police are investigating but have so far stated that they do not consider it suspicious and are not looking for anyone else in connection with his death.
Hundreds of shocked fans have gathered outside the singers residence and have been holding vigil at the scene since the news was announced.
Saul Blackwood shot to fame as the lead singer for Magenta Chair in early 2001 with his frank views and showmanship. Often referred to as a trouble maker, Blackwood was a constant source of tabloid headlines and controversy - his outspoken views on politics and religion regularly leading to clashes with heads of state and religious leaders.
Magenta Chair enjoyed critical acclaim in 2002 with their debut album "Origin of Faeces" featuring the popular Internet joke of George W Bush as a chimpanzee pull out poster. If this wasn't publicity enough, the band was also faced with several death threats from religious groups over the blasphemous lyrics contained within their songs.
Despite these set backs, which did nothing but further fuel their popularity, the band were presented with a 10 album deal from Virgin Records, however, record bosses soon realised that there were problems within the band.
Tabloid stories and kiss and tells followed, including unconfirmed reports of a torrid relationship with Chelsea and Hilary Clinton, and later Rosey O'Donnell. The singer was linked to many famous beauties, but seemed unable to make a relationship last, and in latter months blamed the failures on heavy media attention.
The band seemed to take this in their stride, until Blackwood's outlandish behaviour became indefensible. In the year that followed, there were reports of typical rock star parties and drug abuse, culminating in an evening where Blackwood is reported to have vomited on Christopher Reeves at an after show party.
Shortly after reaching number one in the billboard charts with their second album "I'll Suck You For 100", Blackwood was unceremoniously dropped as lead singer after failing to arrive for two sell out concerts in May 2003. Blackwood's family later stated that he was suffering from depression, exhaustion, and drug addiction with a mild case of the flu and in July, the ex-front man was arrested on drug charges and sentenced to rehabilitation.
On completion of his detox, Blackwood decided to stay on at the exclusive Holyhead Clinic, as he felt that it would help him further to aid others in their own recovery. Blackwood was reported as saying that his addiction developed because "drugs feel good" and "life, is generally boring [without drugs]".
With his straight talking attitude the singer was later called upon to act as spokesman for addiction awareness, but declined to take up the offer fearing that parents would not appreciate his message. Blackwood's quote "You can only help yourself" when talking to Oprah about his recovery was then used as the slogan for the Governments latest anti-drug campaign, and the singer became a reformed character.
But the story didn't end happily ever after - Blackwood's outbursts against the Governments handling of the War on Terror, racism, abortion and even the English Monarchy's wardrobe had left the star marginalized and avoided by producers and record companies alike. Undeterred, the singer formed The Alabaster Stones with close friend and confidant James Roseby in 2004. The project was completely funded by Blackwoods earnings as a model for Calvin Klein, and early on, the band set themselves apart from their peers.
Quickly becoming the fastest selling artists of all time, Blackwood declared that it was "all about the music" and that people didn't care about his opinions if his songs were good. This however, didn't stop his opinions from hitting the headlines.
Most famous for his backlash against Pope John Paul II, when he accused him of being "single handily responsible for the AIDS epidemic in Africa". The Vatican immediately banned the singer and his group from entering the city, but, after pressure from the worlds press, later relented and invited the band to the Papal States for a charity concert. Many felt that this was too little too late, but the enigmatic Blackwood complimented the Pope on his change of heart, and urged others to do the same. The Vatican have since advocated sex education programmes in Africa in an attempt to help stem the flow of the disease, and have released "the Pope Approved Condom".
The Alabaster Stones first single "I love the Pope, the Pope Smokes Dope" continued the close relationship that the band shared with the Vatican, with the Pope agreeing to pose for the front cover, hoping that the new approach would help them reach the youth that the church were so desperately missing.
Without doubt, this technique worked, with the debut single outselling any other release by five to one. The Catholic Church has commented today that it will not forget the important work started by The Alabaster Stones, and this unfortunate turn of events it realises that it will be the fans that are affected worst of all. Blackwood had become for many, a shining beacon in today's harsh reality of unemployment and dissatisfaction with politics. Many schools are providing counselling sessions, through the church, to any teens that feel the need to discuss their sad loss.
James Roseby earlier this morning issued the following statement:
"Although many on this planet will not understand the loss that we have suffered today, I feel for all of those that do. I also feel sorry for those of you that do not realize what a great man Saul Blackwood was. He was a misunderstood genius of rock, and a much needed hero for the common man. There is nobody that can possibly take his place, and no matter what anyone says from now on, it should be written that without him, a lot of truths would have been left unsaid.
It is also important at a time like this to make sure that we talk about our feelings. Saul would not have wanted us to suffer in silence - he never did."
Roseby was also quick to state that he was sure that his friend had not relapsed, and that today was an inevitable conclusion to the stars genius, and possibly down to Blackwood refusing medication for his depression. Blackwood was reported to have withdrawn from his anti-depressants last month after feeling that they were polluted his body in much the same way as illicit drugs had. Police have indicated that they will wait for the conclusions of the autopsy before passing comment.
The Pope was unavailable for comment today, but is expected to issue a statement later this evening.
Blackwood is survived by his wife, his girlfriend and manager, twelve children and his dog Fluffy. It is expected that a legal battle will ensue over the singers estate, as he did not leave a will.
User Reviews
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-02-17 18:52:53 EST (#)
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meh-velous
Submitted by FunnyAsCancer (user info) at 2005-10-30 05:32:18 EST (#)
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