Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Music Notes

Karen Ossenfort

Special to the Village News

The San Diego music scene lost a true devotee to his music and to so many others last year in the fall. Valentino Frankestein, aka Raven White, aka Atomic Blondes, aka Roger Shy, entertained for years prior to his untimely death. Val was into the more moody 80s music, more serious. And always good.

His death sent reverberations throughout the music scene from San Diego to LA and all parts of the world. His fiance, Cher Stroble, was finally able to pay tribute to Valentino at a Memorial in his honor Sunday, May 29 at The Meadows Restaurant in Hidden Meadows.

Musician friends from all over came to pay tribute to Valentino, who touched so many lives, including my own. Pat Pando “Pando,” of Flock of Seagulls kicked off the concert’s tribute, on bass and lead vocals, along with guitarist Bob Ardent, and David Janssen on drums.

Next was Myekah Beond, who has known and been influenced by Valentino since he was a young boy. His Phantom of the Opera rendition was powerful and had the Memorial participants in awe.

Other bands that followed were Greg Kluthe and the Hammerheads, Pounding Paula, Darvocet, Jason Lee Beckwith ‘n Frenz, and Don Clark, and more.

We heard old time hard pounding rock, The Doors, tons of 80s tunes. Even some older 70s and 60s rock.

Val and Cher always had a Comic Con booth, and many friends from the Comics and Movie worlds came to celebrate Val’s life. People came up from near Tijuana to be at the Memorial.

The setting was 80s and Goth, and the evening was beautiful out at The Meadows. Olivia Tosic, Cher Stroble and David Janssen pooled their efforts and their friends and made the Memorial an incredible tribute to Val. All who attended felt the love.

In all the years I’ve known Valentino and Cher, I learned even more at his Memorial. I was struck by his generous heart for so many. I was struck by his musicianship. I was struck by the great love he had for Cher. I was struck by her great and devoted love for him.

Rest in peace, Valentino. We will always remember you. And we will always play your music.

 

Reader Comments(0)