PAUL RAVEN's Brother: 'This Family's Heart Is Bleeding And It Will Never Stop'
- Oct. 22, 2007
Daniel Jon Raven has issued the following statement regarding the passing of his brother, legendary bassist Paul Raven (MINISTRY, PRONG, SOCIETY 1, KILLING JOKE, GODFLESH, MOB RESEARCH):
"The expression 'one of a kind' has lost its value but my beautiful brother, Paul Vincent Raven, redefined it. He was a one-man army, as intelligent, funny, loving and singularly angry a man as I have ever known. His life was truly his own, from its beginning to this awful, tragic end. He was a born saint and an unbelievable asshole.
"This family's heart is bleeding and it will never stop. To know that we will never hear his voice and see his face again is a wound that nothing will heal.
"We would like to thank Paul's friends and comrades for their invaluable support at this impossible time."
Paul Raven was found dead on Saturday (October 20) in a private home in a small French village on the Swiss border after suffering an apparent heart attack. Raven was in Geneva working with French recording artists TREPONEM PAL on their new release alongside drummer Ted Parsons (PRONG) and members of THE YOUNG GODS.
Born in Wolverhampton, UK on January 16, 1961, Paul Vincent Raven established himself with his work in the seminal post-punk/industrial act KILLING JOKE after he replaced the band's original bassist in 1982, recording and touring with the group throughout its most commercially successful period, performing on "Fire Dances", "Night Time" and "Brighter than a Thousand Suns". Throughout his extensive career, Raven participated in other collaborations, including PRONG, MURDER, INC., PIGFACE and GODFLESH. Most recently, Raven was nominated for a 2006 Grammy for "Best Metal Performance" for his work with MINISTRY's Al Jourgensen, with whom he had begun collaborating in late 2005 on the MINISTRY release "Rio Grande Blood". After a 2006 world tour with the group, Raven helped Jourgensen and PRONG's Tommy Victor pen the latest MINISTRY CD, "The Last Sucker", which is also the band's final studio release.
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COMMENT | posted by : The Space Lord 10/22/2007 11:34:32 AM
Sad that Paul Raven has left us but I wouldn't exactly say that dying in your sleep is an awful tragic end.
COMMENT | Raven rest in peace posted by : pattonplotkin 10/22/2007 11:58:15 AM
As i Mentioned on my myspace site killing jokes music has left invarible influence on my life not only through their music but their philosophy. Paul Raven sound was as intregral as Geordies. I was hoping to meet Paul on the upcoming Ministry tour. To all the gatherers Jaz,Geordie,Youth and newcomer Benny Calvert and of course the Raven family, my condolences. R.I.P Paul you are in my prayers
COMMENT | Sad that Paul left us so soon posted by : RiotAct666 10/22/2007 12:03:02 PM
He will be missed by us all R.I.P. Raven.
COMMENT | Rocksan and Space Lord posted by : cruel samoan 10/22/2007 12:15:15 PM
Probably the awful bit is dying at 46 - 30 to 40 years earlier than expected! Better for him to die in his sleep but worse for the family with no time to prepare. Why do you need this explained to you?
COMMENT | posted by : ProTonePedals 10/22/2007 12:36:44 PM
When we heard the news of Paul Ravens passing this weekend it was as if all of us had been kicked in the gut. I personally was not prepared for such overwhelming grief. Having worked closely with Paul on his signature stompbox over the last year and a half we can not begin to express our profound sadness. We grew a bond based in creativity but grounded in the business world, and watching Raven weave the two was a pure joy. As many have said over the weekend he was one of the good ones. A Rock N Roll pirate, a freedom fighter, a creative spirit that will not be stopped.
We send our best wishes to Paul's friends, family, and most importantly to his children.
Dennis Mollan Pro Tone Pedals
COMMENT | posted by : The Space Lord 10/22/2007 1:10:56 PM
cruel samoan: Point taken, but given that in his profession as a musician the usual vices (drugs, alcohol, overwork from touring/recording, etc.) could have been responsible for Raven's death - and I'm not saying that they are or were - the fact that for now we only know that he died in his sleep is, while sad that it was so sudden, would've been preferable compared to something as more blunt and graphic as, say, an overdose or a road accident while on tour.
I understand where the family's coming from. Just curious on the choice of words is all. And they don't need to justify their choice of words to anyone.
COMMENT | RIP posted by : ballgame 10/22/2007 2:31:36 PM
RIP To me its weird that he died of a heart attack.
COMMENT | Ouch. posted by : THRASHMONGER 10/22/2007 2:54:43 PM
A talent. His work with KILLING JOKE was the balls.
Sympathies.
COMMENT | :( posted by : Momma 10/23/2007 11:07:38 AM
As a bassist who is a fan of his work, it was very sad to hear of his death.
We should all wish to pass away in our sleep. R.I.P. and my condolences to his family and friends.
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