Remembering my friend Scott Columbus

Scott Columbus in 2010

The heavy metal world is mourning today as word spreads of the passing of former Manowar drummer and Central New York native, Scott Columbus. Scott, who was 54, died Monday. I write this with a heavy heart as I was lucky enough to call Scott a friend. I am stunned and heartbroken by his death.

I met Scott Columbus and his girlfriend Nancy two years ago when they adopted one of my puppies. While we were making arrangements, there were numerous phone calls back and forth, and at one point Scott asked me what I did. I told him I was a writer with a local entertainment blog and had done some PR for a couple of local bands. “Cool,” he said and then told me he was a drummer and was putting together a band with some area musicians. Would I be interested in helping him with his social media pages? I asked if he was any good, and he told me he wasn’t good, he was “damn 'expletive' good.” That was enough for me. I agreed to help.

I didn’t know he’d been with Manowar until a few weeks after we met. I must confess, I’ve never been much of a metal fan, and while I’d heard of Manowar, I really wasn’t all that aware of their music or the influence this band had on the genre. Once I checked out some videos on YouTube, however, I was quite impressed by the drumming virtuosity of my new friend.

Scott and I had absolutely nothing in common, but we clicked instantly. He trusted me because I never hesitated to call him on his crap when I saw it. He told me I was one of the only people he knew who wasn’t afraid to do that and to whom he would actually listen. He’d had too many people in his life who kissed his butt and told him what he wanted to hear. He knew if he came to me, he’d get the truth even if he didn’t want to hear it!

In the two years I knew Scott, I was privileged to see him play at his home numerous times, but I only saw him play out once – a gig in a local club with a tossed together, under-rehearsed band. He was very nervous about this gig; much more so than what was warranted. There weren’t many people there that night, and while the lack of rehearsal was pretty apparent, there was no doubt Scott was still the master of his craft. It was truly awesome!Check out the video below of Scott's solo that night.

The last few years haven’t been easy for Scott Columbus. I believe he missed the road, and at the same time, he feared the road. Despite his talent and reputation, he was surprisingly insecure. He worried he’d been away too long and that he’d lost it. He was buoyed by his return to the stage in the summer of 2010 (he played several gigs in Europe with former Manowar band mate Ross “The Boss” Friedman), and yet he didn’t make the final show. I urged him to go because so many people were looking forward to seeing him play again. It was as though he didn’t believe people still cared.

He wasn't idle, however. He had recorded some interesting new material he called Instrumetal. But as enthused as he was, he was reluctant to put it out there. “What if it sucks?” he asked me one day. “Trust me,” I told him. “It doesn’t suck.” And it didn’t.

And now this funny, genuine, and truly unique human being is gone. I am glad to have known him and already miss him more than I ever thought possible. I just wish he believed how many people really cared about him and how widespread is the ripple effect of his passing. Maybe that would have made a difference.

I hope you finally found some peace, my friend. My prayers to all who loved this man. May you also find some measure of peace in the days to come.