Very Sad News: Jeff Wallack

Post by **Jim Price** » Saturday Apr 02, 2005

As the world mourns the loss of Pope John Paul 2, we mourn the loss of one of our own today.

I received word earlier today (Saturday) that one of this area’s most gifted guitar players – Jeff Wallack – passed away this morning. Although not yet confirmed, the very early word is that it may have been brain related.

Without a doubt, Jeff was one of the most gifted shredders I have ever witnessed in my years of covering the local music scene; more than a few times his guitar skills dropped my jaw to the floor in sheer amazement. He had great technical ability and dazzling finger speed.

Jeff played with a number of area bands in the 80’s and early 90’s, including I.O.U., Tom Brunner Group, Rapid Fire, Shattered China and Dash Riprock. Jeff stepped away from band situations through much of the late 90’s, but was active 2-3 years ago as guitarist for the Rhythm Kings.

Off stage, Jeff was good-natured, friendly…and humble about his talents. Jeff once even wanted me to write a negative review of him in Pennsylvania Musician, because he didn’t want to be put on a pedestal.

I’ll always remember the times when I’d run into Jeff at shows, and he and I (and often Hurricane Bob) would swap stupid jokes with one another.

I’ll have a special tribute to Jeff next Sunday night (4/10) on Q94’s “Backyard Rocker,” probably the last 15 minutes of the show.

Jeff Wallack (right) and Rapid Fire, at (old) Sebastiano’s Hotel, sometime late winter/early spring 1988.

Jeff Wallack, again with Rapid Fire at old Sabs, May 1989.

Mo Lester · Post by **Mo Lester** » Saturday Apr 02, 2005

lots of memories, nothing but good. I was just talking about him the other day. what a guy. probabaly see some of ya's at Aldo's tonight.

WitchChic · Post by **WitchChic** » Saturday Apr 02, 2005

OMG I cant believe it...Got Home and Dani told me to read the Rock Page... Jeff always could make you smile if not laugh your ass off...I never remember a time he wasnt making me smile...I always knew walking into Aldo's and seeing him that at least the night wasnt gonna be dull...And working there and listening over and over to his jokes it was the best...My fave was when hed tell Jenn they were gonna go drunk driving with binoculars... Bye Jeff......you will be missed much.... **HUGS**

AICgirl · Post by **AICgirl** » Saturday Apr 02, 2005

I don't even know what to say.Jason called Sam and I earlier to tell us what happened.Jeff was such a GREAT friend no matter how shitty of a day I was having he would make me laugh and it would be hard to stop once you got him started...there are so many memories that I have and I"m thankful for them because they are all good and make me smile when I think about them.It's just so hard to believe.So before I cry I'm just going to say my heart goes out to his family and firends...we love you Jeffy and you will always be remembered.
Jenn

rug · Post by **rug** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

wow. i didn't even know he was sick. this is truly devastating!!! i can't even begin to remember how many times he hooked me up at Jarret's Music. He will be missed!!

rreihart · Post by **rreihart** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

I don't know what to say here, and nothing I can type will give this man justice. I loved Jeff like a brother. I just talked to him Thursday, we were talking about the new John Petrucci album and how sick it is! I still can't believe it....I have had the worst day, since I got the news. For me, he was one of those friends that I could talk about anything with, and one of the only friends I could talk about certain things with....I will miss him, unlike many will ever know.

esa · Post by **esa** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

I'm not sure if I ever met him or if I know him or... (i'm terrible with names...but if you said I met you, then I probably did)...
So...I will offer my condolences to his friends, family, and fellow rock brothers. I'm sorry for your loss and hopefully he's rocking out his halo and harp.

HurricaneBob · Post by **HurricaneBob** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

I am in shock, we heard on our way to pittsburg and i still cant fathom this. This guy could make you laugh till you cried. The memories of playing with Jeff are so incredible, from the Riot, Maiden and Priest jams to the Malmsteen improvs then on break rolling on the floor laughing after him making up a joke. I have so many stories to tell of this man, this week i will be capturing some video from the dash days to try to show you what Jeff was like. He was a guitar player like no other, and Altoona will never see another like him. God needed a shredder, and took Jeff.

RIP my Brotha...........

GUITARII · Post by **GUITARII** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

R.I.P. Jeff. My sincerest condolences goes out to family and friends......

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

I'm shocked and saddened by this news. I got more than a few impromptu guitar "lessons" from Jeff over the years... I'm pretty much self-taught, and just couldn't figure out certain things that are easy and obvious to most... Jeff would show me stuff in a way that didn't make me feel embarrassed at not knowing something basic. He was very humble, and not afraid to come down to my level.
Onstage, he could be goofy, smashing dinner plates and playing sitting in a lawn chair, or almost shy, hardly looking at the audience while his fingers flew like hornets around the fretboard.
He also fished for bass, a noble pursuit in my book, and told me exactly where his favorite spot was... if you fish, you know that's a big deal, like telling someone where there's money buried.
Jeff was in a number of good bands, but to me, it'll always be 1988, and he'll always be stage right at Old Sab's, shredding "Queen Of The Reich" on that bastard Strat with the self-scalloped fretboard, with Bobby and Scar and Steve, and me ten feet away with my draft in my hand and my jaw hanging wide open.
I'm growing weary of writing this line lately, but I assure you... He Will Be Missed.--->JMS

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

Well, I'm sure were all growing weary of thinking and saying Oh, my God, this is a joke. I'm still waiting for the phone to ring with Jeff's voice on the other end screaming: " Ha, ha!! Got you guys!! Ha haha!!" For those of you that did know Jeff, I'm sure you'll agree, he was the king of comedy. As i seen alot of others write on here, he ALWAYS had you rolling with laughter ANYTIME you encountered him. This man never seemed sad or distraught. And if he was bummed about something by chance, he never let it get to him, cuz he would turn it around and make a joke of it. This was his character. What is making this yet even harder for me, is that he just called me Thursday night. He said that he had some riffs he wanted to get recorded and asked me if I would be the guy to put the drum tracks down for him. I asked him if he called every other drummer in the tri-county area before he resorted to me and he said: " No, just about 1/2 of the tri-county area." And then of course bursted out with laughter. For those of you that knew this master shredder, I must admit that it was the compliment of compliments for him to have asked this lowly drummer that I am, to be the one to record drum tracks for him. I did not deserve to be that person. I told Jeff this and of couse he said: " Just shut up you low life drummer and come jam with me." More laughter of course. We were supposed to hook up this weekend which i was a little nervous about but looking very forward to. Then i got the call from Ron D. I'm still in shock and I'm still waiting for that phone call from Jeff. Love you brother.

Rick Fisher

Jacklyn Miauff · Post by **Jacklyn Miauff** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

Just heard the news of Jeff last night while my husband's band (HAIR FORCE ONE) was playing at Aldo's. What a shocker!
For the ten years that I have been married to Phillip DaPussee....I have heard the name of Jeff mentioned numerous amounts of times. Phillip would always brag of how good of a guitar player and Tech that Jeff was.

Being at Aldo's last night...I saw many teary-eyed musicians that also thought the same about Jeff....... Scarfone, Nearhoof, Steve McCaulley and other musicians that I know by face but not by name! (SORRY)

Hair Force played an Iron Maiden song for Jeff..., I was told that this was his favorite band.
Many thanks to all of Jeff's friends who shared his memories with HAIR FORCE ONE!!

Jeff......GOD BLESS YOU, you were truly a wonderful friend to many.

Big Jimi Cee · Post by **Big Jimi Cee** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

This is truly saddening to hear. I have known Jeff for many years and I was fortunate enough to have enticed him to play out again when we worked together in “The Lodge Lizzards” (later to be known as the Rhythm Kings) several years ago. Jeff was an excellent technician of his craft. His mechanics and his ability to do it very tastefully set him apart from others. Even with this level of talent, he was one of the humblest musicians that I have ever worked with. Everyone has commented on his sense of humor and this too was another one of his attributes. Ironically Jeff and I had been talking recently about playing out together again. I guess his CD “So Many Notes, So Little Time” has taken on a new meaning. I will miss him. If anyone hears of the arrangements for Jeff, please post.

PanzerFaust · Post by **PanzerFaust** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

What a very sad thing for Altoona..

Jeff was the best guitar player I have ever seen !! and I remember those pics JP posted of him at old Sab's like it was yesterday...

Jeff was one of the few you just sat there with your beer and watched thinking, "God I need to go home and practice" yet when you talked to him later he was as humble as any musician I ever met. It sometimes made you wonder if it was an act or if he really just didn't understand how truely awsome he was musically. Whether he knew it or not, there is no question in my mind he WAS the best...

Goodbye Jeff..

Tood

rlane · Post by **rlane** » Sunday Apr 03, 2005

The funeral arrangements for Jeff Wallack are:

Viewing Tuesday, April 5th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Stevens Mortuary.
The funeral service will be the next morning.
My husband Todd would like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments about Jeff. Knowing that he has touched so many people helps to ease the pain of losing such a great friend.

orangekick · Post by **orangekick** » Monday Apr 04, 2005

I was just telling someone one of the many tasteless jokes that Jeff would always tell just the other day. I will never forget him. I only wish that I could have seen him before he was gone. Shopping for gear has never been the same since I haven't been able to hang out with Jeff the whole time...

I'll never forget the story about him and one of his friends get all lit up and driving with binoculars. I was on the floor the first time I heard that one and It still just cracks me up to think about it. I'll miss you man.

Dave.

Post by **Ron** » Monday Apr 04, 2005

Jeff and I had lunch last Saturday with Scott Everhart. We laughed like idiots, which was always the norm when Jeff was around.

He and the Pope are probably driving with binoculars right now... with a half-empty case of beer in the back seat, and "Rising Force" hammering at 120dB. I can hear him now... "C'mon JP2 ya f'n pussy, it's just like a rollercoaster, only better"

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Apr 04, 2005

WTF? This is too much. Unreal. Way too young. Bummed out bigtime....

Imgrimm01 · Post by **Imgrimm01** » Monday Apr 04, 2005

I bought my first Guitar from Jeff , I want to say I'm sorry and my thought are with he and his family.

Craven Sound · Post by **Craven Sound** » Monday Apr 04, 2005

He was always the cool guy that worked at Jarret's. That sucks.

HarleyRo1 · Post by **HarleyRo1** » Monday Apr 04, 2005

I met Jeff years ago - he was a good friend of my brother Chucks. The two of them spent hours jamming at Jarretts. I remember all the times that I saw Jeff play at Aldo's and the Old Sabs - I always knew that when I ran into Jeff that it was going to be a night filled with laughter.

As many have said, Jeff was someone who in seconds of seeing him could have your side splitting with laughter. Jeff's ability to play the guitar and pure talent in my eyes was unequaled.

It broke my heart to see his obit in the paper this morning and then to have to call my brother in MD and tell him of the sad news. I think like many, we are just in disbelief that someone so full of life and laughter could be taken so quickly.

My heart goes out to Jeff's family and to all who loved him.

So Jeff - to you I say, thank you for the music, the laughter and for just being YOU!
You are missed already....

Godspeed,

Rosemary

ImAGrimmette · Post by **ImAGrimmette** » Monday Apr 04, 2005

I can't believe I am reading this... Jeff was way too young for this to happen and way to talented for this to happen already!!!!!!!

I haven't hung out w/ Jeff in years, but I never forgot all the great Thursday night's we all had at Aldo's! He was like "Norm" coming in the door.... everyone knew him and greeted him. I was always there playing pool, but could never play a serious game of pool with Jeff around... he would either steal the ball I was shooting at right off the table or just crack me up that I would lose my concentration from laughing so much. (I think he was paid to do this although I could never prove it - LOL!) Regardless, I never walked out of there w/out a smile on my face from either one of his jokes, stories or Jeff just being Jeff. He was a great person to joke around with and an even better person for all of the lives he has touched. Just read the posts on here!

And I won't even touch his talent as a guitarist. My words alone could never do him Justice!

My only regret is that I have only seen Jeff in passing recently. But I'm glad I got to know him and that I have good memories of him.

May his family and fellow freinds rely on the peace in your hearts and good memories to get you through this tough time!

Much Love...
Grimmette Lisa

facingwest · Post by **facingwest** » Monday Apr 04, 2005

You gotta be kidding me?

Damn. I guess when it's your time to go, it's your time to go. I remember the days of heading down the mountain to stop in Jarret's and do some deals with him. I still have the gear he sold me. Jeff was a very humble and gifted guitarist, as well as a great person. I hope he's shredding it out in the sky with the Big Guy on his side.

Ronnyd · Post by **Ronnyd** » Tuesday Apr 05, 2005

Love you Jeff,
I'll never forget you!

JeffLeeper · Post by **JeffLeeper** » Tuesday Apr 05, 2005

How sad that such a young man and such a talented musician is lost to us all here. And even moreso to his family.

I didn't know Jeff nearly as well as most of you , but I do remember his sense of humor and his guitar playing ability. We in the local music community have lost one of our own.

God bless him and his family.