Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

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Shoesalesman
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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by Shoesalesman » Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:57 am

This is very sad news. RIP Brian... and thanks for giving it your all with Alice.
If I may put forward a slice of personal colostomy...

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by vince_raven » Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:28 am

Very sad news indeed. Whether you were like many here who knew him well or like myself who had only meet him a couple of times and traded a few emails, there is no denying his impact on the Alice community. What few times I've met him, he was always kind and had a great sense of humor. My thoughts go out to the Cooper family and all acquainted.
Cooper took the stage,put on the best rock show since Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine in 1987.

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by lattss » Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:53 am

It's always sad when someone goes before their time is due. My condolenses to all of his family, friends, and sickthings.

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by BellaDonna » Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:08 am

That's so sad..I'm so sorry... I was at a barbeque today and somehow "Alice" came up and I mentioned Renfield..we talked and talked about them both.. It was a great conversation.... Imagine my surprise to find this hours later...ahh, crap...

So, so sorry...

Much Well to Him and All,
BD
..We're finally alone. Wash the dust from your hair now, I don't care if you ever get home..

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by steven15322 » Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:19 am

This is so sad and a shock, Brian will be terribly missed. Met him one time briefly at a show. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. ................
Before you burn your mark on me
I'll carve mine in your face

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by Just-a-lil-Insane » Mon Jun 15, 2009 6:41 am

Truly shocking news. I dealt with Brian through aliceauctions as well. He was a great guy to deal with and went out of his way to help me out. I never asked for any special attention, he just gave it to me and I appreciated it very much. He knew what it was to be a fan, and it showed. Hindsight is 20/20, and I now regret not approaching him at a couple of shows. I didn't want to be a pest. He will be missed, and my condolences to the Cooper Clan, as he has been with them for a LONG time...and of course, his family. The Cooper community truly has lost one of its jewels...

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by Malchik » Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:49 am

It's a godsend to have anyone like him in relation to a fan base. This is a real blow and a dent that cannot be filled. I'm really sorry to hear this news.

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by Mike Drew » Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:33 am

Hi There!
I Just Wanted To say How Shocked & Sad i Am To Hear The News About Brian.
may i Just say A Sincere Thank You And God Bless To A Guy who For Many Of The Fans Made The Impossable Come True.
Cheerz Brian!
You Will Be Missed, Big Time!!
md
"Its Only Rock N' Roll But Its Expensive"

www.michaeldrew.co.uk

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by NoneeLlama » Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:59 am

My deepest condolences.
To Stamp... To Kick... To Spit... That's what a good llama does!

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by Guilty » Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:13 am

so sorry to hear this sad news. R.I.P brian
i'm guilty an i think i've been framed anyway

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by nurserozetta » Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:11 am

There is really nothing more to add - I'm shocked and sad , Condolences and thoughts with all connected with Brian and family .

Ross

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by Voodoo Revolution » Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:21 am

Very sad news, shocking too.

RIP Brian

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by Dragonlady » Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:35 am

I just posted this on my blog. Not much but it sums up my feelings for now.
Yesterday went well, but I don't feel like talking about it now. As I came home I got an email saying that Brian "Renfield" Nelson, Alice Cooper's assistant had died.

That was a huge shock. For us fans he was someone very special. He was one of us (possibly the greatest Alice fan on Earth) but he was working for the Master.
He always took care of everything, he also directed several big projects, the huge boxset that came out in 99 for instance. Few other musicians have such a gem to show, it's packed with rareties and the booklet and box are beautiful.

And all while doing his job of protecting the band's privacy on tour, he did all he could for some fans to meet Alice or passed on some information one way or the other. He was always lurking among us and knew what we were talking about. He was THE link between fans and band. I've never seen the likes of him anywhere else.

I had never met Brian, but in the days I joined the first mailing list (in July 1997) I enjoyed his witty, often snarky comments, and exchanged a few emails. He was part of the show in more than one way.
It's hard to explain to others why one is crying over someone whom one has never met in real life. But yesterday I literally cried myself to sleep. The concert in three weeks will not be the same. I always looked out for Brian's silhouette after the opening act, it was a sign that everything was ok, and the fun was going to start. There will be a shadow over all the fun. It must be really hard for them all.

All my condolences to Brian's family and friends, to Alice and the band, and the rest of the crew. I wish I could do something more than just typing words here.

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by Mr. Skull » Mon Jun 15, 2009 11:03 am

My condolences to all his friends and relatives.
Very sad news...

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by Parish » Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:40 pm

This is indeed horrendous news...

Brian's loyalty, dedication and considerable contributions to the Alice Cooper legacy will never be equaled.

I have had the great honor of meeting and corresponding with Brian for decades and he had always been extremely patient with my enthusiasm perhaps recognizing in me, as well as with every Alice Cooper fan, a mirror image of himself.

Remember The Renfield...

God speed Brother, see ya down the road

Matt

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by While Heaven Wept » Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:21 pm

Very sad news, Brian was always a dedicated and passionate man, may you rest in peace.

Wherever you are I hope they have an awesome record collection.

Dan
x

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by glamprincess » Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:31 pm

As I said previously, I considered Brian to be my friend and I am shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic news. I am now writing this because I think it's important for Alice Cooper fans to appreciate just how helpful Brian was to the fans and how significant he was to preserving the legacy of Alice Cooper.

We had many conversations where it was always very apparent that it was very important to Brian that Alice's rightful place in rock history be recognized. We would discuss how sometimes Alice's pioneering role in both theatrical and glam rock would often be overlooked and Brian was always ready to send letters or do what he felt was necessary in order to ensure that Alice received his proper due. There are probably few celebrity assistants who cared as much about the life and career of their celebrity employer as Brian cared about Alice Cooper. It seemed to me that being Alice's assistant was so much more than a job to Brian as he was completely devoted to protecting Alice the person and the entire Alice Cooper legacy.

I also remember how seriously protective Brian was of Alice. I recall, for example, the way that Brian would be very careful not to let the fans see which hotel room Alice was in. It was just so incredibly sweet the way he was so protective of Alice. Alice was lucky to have an assistant who could be so trusted and loyal. I think it says a lot about Brian's character and integrity, that he was such a loyal, trustworthy and genuine friend.

I got to know Brian when we were both frequent posters on the original Sickthings mailing list. Brian was very supportive of my posts and was very kind to me. It was Brian who chose me to write an article on Alice Cooper for a Metal Edge magazine or to write some liner notes. For a big Alice Cooper fan like myself, it was fun and cool to get these oppurtunities and it says how nice Brian was that he would give these oppurtunities to a fan, in addition to giving backstage passes and backstage meetings with Alice.

Many people in Brian's position could easily have forgotten about the fans and not cared about helping them as I'm sure other celebrity assistants are not always as accomodating. The fact that Brian still cared and never forgot what it was like to be a fan showed a great deal of character and humility on his part.

I think my favourite memory of Brian was when I was in Los Angeles and he welcomed me into his home. He had laid out countless magazines covering Alice from the early 70s because he knew that was my favourite Alice era. As he was showing me his collectibles, he handed me Alice's white tophat from the WtMN tour and told me that I could try it on. He also gave me some memoriabilia for free, just as gifts, showing how generous he was and his continual willingness to do nice things for the fans. We shared some Alice Cooper stories and a lot of laughs. I will never forget his kindness to me.

Brian has been a constant fixture on Alice Cooper tours for the past 28 years and I don't think an Alice tour is ever going to be quite the same without his presence. He is going to be sorely missed by Alice Cooper fans all over the world.

My condolences go to Brian Nelson's family, Alice Cooper, Alice's family and everyone else who cared about Brian.
Much love,
Susie
Last edited by glamprincess on Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:54 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by AlongCameASpider27 » Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:35 pm

Hi everybody...I've been doing this little Youtube show for the last few weeks where I give my opinion on a wide variety of topics and stuff called "Spider's Parlor" (take a wild guess where the title was inspired from :)...anyway, last night I filmed a tribute of sorts to Brian....

I hope you all like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ74Yj8OTMY
"Freedom to rock, freedom to talk, freeeedom, raise your fist and yell!"

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by SickThings » Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:08 pm

Like everyone else, I'm shocked and saddened by this news.

I'll never forget when Brian joined my original SickThings mailing list. The quantity and quality of the posts shot up dramatically, and it was a great time to be a SickThing.

Thanks for everything, Brian.

Hunter

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Re: Brian 'Renfield' Nelson

Post by tim10cc » Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:27 pm

Summer of 1988 the eve of starting my Senior year of HS....Goldmine...an auction was posted selling Cooper merchandise. Called the number in the ad, and who is it that answers on the other end? Brian. At the time I had no idea he was "Renfield" I was a dreamer back then working part time at a grocery store so I didn't get much out of that auction but Brian manage to sell me a few Alice Shirts CHEAP!! The following summer "TRASH" was released and to promote the album, Alice showed up at a radio promoted Blood drive!! You donate blood you meet ALICE. That's when I first met Brian & Airic Brummit(Skull logo RYFAY). Anyways Brian felt pleased I remembered him as well which was the first time I met Alice Cooper. I have a pic of that day...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/ ... 7478_l.jpg

it goes me, Alice, Brian & Airic


Wow 20 years ago this summer!!

All I can say behind the scenes at the Cooper shows will NEVER be the same.

Brian RIP
The road to hell is littered with nice guys with good intentions.

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