Bill Peitsch played drums with The Church Keys, among many other accomplishments. Sadly, Bill died of a heart attack on September 21, 2007. He was 45 years old, leaving a wife and two young children. I never saw any of his bands, and I've never met his family, but I've heard a lot about Bill through a mutual friend, my son's father, George.
When I met Bill in Tuscaloosa in 1980, he was a skinny 18 year old, majoring in engineering. Fresh from Detroit. He loved rock and roll, especially Iggy Pop, but not exclusively. Despite his hard rocking, he was gracious.
Bill was the first visitor at my bedside after I gave birth to Alex at Druid City Hospital on May 22, 1984. He sat with me for hours until George returned, even though I was knocked out from Demerol and slipping in and out of consciousness. He was so quiet that I was surprised every time I woke up to find he was still there. We'd talk for a minute until I passed out again.
He was the coolest guy, but he was not cold. He had a generous compassionate heart.
When I moved in October 1984, Bill helped load the U-Haul van at the Ormond Street house in Tuscaloosa, and then drove it 200 miles to a rental house on Willivee Drive in Decatur Georgia, where he helped unload it. The last time I saw him was in my house on Springbrook Drive in Decatur in 1986. He and a group of friends were on their way to see the film Blue Velvet. Part of the time he was rolling on the floor kissing a young woman in his entourage, so we didn't talk much that time. ;-)
I'm putting up this Japanese ale commercial because Bill was Alex's first visitor and now Alex lives in Japan. I remember you, Bill.
Dan Rose posted this tribute to Bill, with pictures and video.
