It is very hard for me to put into words how hard it was to hear about the passing of my good friend Traci Michaelz of the band Peppermint Creeps. He had a very special place in my heart, as well as many of the lives he touched in his life.
When I think of Traci, I can’t help but smile. I had the best times with him, the craziest times, and the most amazing conversations I have had with anyone in Hollywood. You make a lot of friends in this city, the city of lights and entertainment. Everyone comes here to turn their dreams into a reality, and Traci was one of the few who excelled at it, above and beyond anything else, he finally was doing what he loved the most – his music.
Sadly, Traci was found dead in his hotel room in the early morning of Friday, June 13th after performing at the Rock Star Bar and Grill the previous night in Fort Worth, TX. The cause of death is unknown and an autopsy is currently being conducted. His funeral was held on June 20th at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
As my chest tightens with pain and tears stream down my face, I can’t help but smile when I think of Traci. For the last couple years, him and I shared so many laughs, so many memories. I know that wherever he is, he is smiling. He was one of the most caring, loving person I have ever met.
I will never forget the day that I met my good friend Tracy.
It all happened one night at the Rainbow Bar & Grill in Hollywood, as we were introduced by a good friend. We talked about the good old days of the Sunset Strip, his love for rock n’ roll, his great sense of fashion, and the passion for his band Peppermint Creeps.
We hit it off almost immediately, buying each other drinks and talking as the night went on. Not long after, we find ourselves at an after party at the Hollywood Hills. He introduced me to some great people, with whom I am still friends to this day. One beer here, another beer there, we talked until the wee hours of the night, until the sun came up behind the Hollywood sign.
Night after night, show after show, we would talk and reminisce on the good days. I will never forget how happy he was when we saw me and smiling from ear to ear, said he saw himself on TV in the middle of the audience while Ozzy Osbourne performed at the 2007 VH1 rock honors telecast.
The one thing that I remember the most about Tracy is that he had a great heart. He was a caring and loving friend, who loved nothing else but his friends and his music. He was generous and kind. A trait that is quite hard to find. He had it all and I am sure he’s still rocking out in the gates of heaven.
I miss you, my good friend. I will never forget the nights we shared, the conversations, and the good times we spent together. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. You have left a mark on the strip just like the many people you idolized. Moreover, you left a part of you in every person whose life you touched with your friendship and your kindness.
May your soul always be alive and live among us for eternity.
Photo by © Peppermint Creeps
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