The Gathering

08.24.05 13:49 PST
VOIVOD's official web site has been updated with the following message:

"Our good friend and guitar hero Denis D'Amour (a.k.a. Piggy) is very ill. We are helping Denis in every way that we can to feel comfortable while he fights to get healthy. Denis is a very private person and does not want to make a big deal about his illness, so we will not be able to answer questions about his condition or give any other details at this time. We appreciate your understanding.

"Please feel welcome to send any notes, good words and positive vibes to Piggy at one or both of the following contacts and we will make sure he gets to read them."

E-mail Address:

Subject: "Get Well Piggy"
piggy@voivod.com

Mailing Address:

Attn: Denis "Piggy" D'Amour
Chophouse Records
454 Las Gallinas Avenue
# 353
San Rafael, CA 94903-3618

"Yesterday, Friday 26th at 23:45, Piggy passed away.

I would like to thank all of you for all the good words and encouragments you gave Denis during his battle. I will keep you posted for funeral details."

"Life does not always turn out the way you expect. Mine and the lives of many of my friends from Jonquiere were certainly influenced by one specific person, Denis D'Amour. He was a mentor and a hero for many of us. He was my best friend.

I have dreaded the arrival of this day for a while now. My old bandmate is gone. He passed away last night at peace with himself and without pain. Until the very end he was both a sweetheart and a real rocker, without compromise.

I am so grateful that I had the chance to let him know how much he meant to me and how much I loved him. Denis did not live to see his last artistic effort released but the rest of us will appreciate it all the more.

Long live Denis D'Amour. Long live Piggy."

Dear people. Today is a very sad day, as Denis D'Amour, a.k.a. Piggy, the guitar player of Voivod lost his battle against cancer and past away yesterday the 26th of august.

We wish Voivod, family and all friends all the best. Denis was an extremely talented guitar player, one of the most original ones I ever knew and my absolute fave. His jazzy playing [using the 5th snare a lot] and riffing was unique in this world, all the Voivod albums are unique pieces of art. The band never got the attention they deserved, unfortunately.

They worked on a new album, and signed a deal with The End Records, our licenser in the USA. It would have been so nice to tour together, unfortunately we never did and I am afraid we never will...
Above all we lose a very nice person, though we didn't meet him that much. Hope he rest in peace.

Hans Rutten