On Thursday May 31, 2018 the Ghost family tragically lost a member as a fan suffered a health issue at the live performance and later passed away from a heart attack. According to accounts from the show, he passed out in the pit before the intermission and died later that evening. Ghost extended their intermission, and once they learned of the fan’s passing they canceled the rest of the show. They also made a few public statements asking to respect the privacy of the family, and to offer them thoughts and prayers. Many derided this statement. How could any band singing the songs of Satan offer “thoughts and prayers” to anyone? It’s quite simple really. They are, above all else, human beings. Tobias’ brother died on the first day that Ghost released their first song. He understands what loss is. We all do. But it’s how you deal with it that makes the difference. One statement I read suggested that it was “kinda great” that while his death was tragic, it is very rare that you die being surrounded by “family” doing what you love; enjoying your favorite band playing music in front of you. For some reason, I found this thought very comforting. Fans across the country started a GoFundMe page to help the family. Below is the link, check it out:
https://www.gofundme.com/jeffrey-allan-fortune-remembrance
Over the weekend, I read another occurrence that happened during one of Ghost’s VIP events. A fan brought a picture of her and her mother to show the Cardinal. During her brief moment with him she explained how her mother passed away last year, but before she did they had bonded over the music of Ghost. From all accounts of the encounter, Tobias broke character and offered the fan words of solace and comfort. I don’t know if words could adequately describe the emotional connection that young lady felt and how special it must have been for her.
Tobias may be many things. A showman. A shitty friend. A narcissist. But one thing I think can’t be argued is that he cares for his fans. I can personally say that I have walked with him from a venue to a bar in Knoxville. He was very pleasant and we had a nice conversation for the 5 minutes or so we were en route. Inside the bar he mixed and mingled with the fans who had been told where to go to see the band after the show. Last year in Atlanta, I waited by the buses after a show to meet the band with my wife and a good friend of mine. He hugged my wife and signed a picture to my friend’s young daughter, Samantha, who was upset she wasn’t able to be at the show.
This is the guy who makes Ghost what it is. The guy behind the mask. I’ve been waiting to get in to shows at the Masquerade and members of bands wouldn’t even acknowledge that there were people standing outside in the cold waiting to see them (yep Zakk Wylde, I’m calling you out!). A simple wave or throw some horns, anything to say thanks would have been enough; but a lot of times they just put their heads down and keep walking. During the encore of the show in May, the Cardinal broke character for a brief moment to acknowledge the nearly sold out crowd. He said to us, “Thanks for believing.” No Tobias, thank you for believing in the importance of your fans.
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