new thread
I don't know how many (if any) of you caught my follow-up message to HunterMage (3-27-06). It related to a photo he had uploaded of Matt Barlow, former lead singer with Iced Earth, and a guy with a most magnificent mane of butt-length red hair that would certainly make anyone envious. Well, it seems ol' Matt has gone and shaved off - yes I said shaved off - every single folicle of hair from his head. He is now as bald as a billiardball. You can see a recent picture of him (if you really want to) at the URL below.
OK, OK, don't get on my case with a follow-up messaage telling me it was his decision and all that. I'm well aware that he wasn't kidnapped by aliens and had all his hair forceably shaved off. But I will still say that I think it's a damn shame that such magnificent hair is no more.
I hope I got the URL right.
I just can't believe hes a cop!! i mean, theres absolutely NOTHING wrong with that, i just hadn't heard what he had done since iced earth, and thats just such a drastic career change. anyways, thats cool he decided to become a police officer, and as much as it would suck to get pulled over, itd be kinda cool to get pulled over by him!
It was actually an interesting story about it. After 9/11, he decided that he didn't want to live the "rock star fantasy" anymore, and actually get a job that made a difference. Jon Schaffer, the founding member & guitarist, managed to convince him to stick around for another two years, wherein they started work on their newest album, The Glorius Burden. But becasue Matt had decided to leave, he couldn't put the same effort and feeling into the tracks, meaning he pretty much sucked then. They all agreed he really was done, and he left. How he decided to shave his whole head, and become pale as a ghost, I'll never know, nor if he did it willingly. But he will always be missed.
Thanks for the update and I was aware of some of the story. Certanly a shame for the music scene but I can understand why do did it. I'll keep my opinions of Iced Earth me singer to myself!!! They say 11/9 "weirded him out" and was quoted as saying he would not fly again.
I'm sure if your down Delaware way "blink and you miss it" you might be able to catch his police rock band. I did do an interview and a photo shoot a few years ago and really down to earth person and not so high strung as Jon Schaffer.
John.B
You actually met him? Sweeeetness. Delaware is actually pretty close to where I live, only like a 5-6 hour drive with traffic through the city, so I was actually thinking of going to see him there, and actually say I got to, even if it was after the fact.
Still, we'll always have the glorius 3 disk ALive in Athens concert and Horror Show as parting gifts from him to us, and really, that's all it's about.
I wonder did he become a cop so he can arrest "ragheads"....
As great as Barlow's hair was, it was nothing compared to the talent apparent in his singing. He was a voice for the new world, the voice of 'everyman', and the greatest shame of all is this: His reason for leaving the band was, partly at least, because of September 11th horrors. In my opinion, he should have focused that rage and confusion in the upcoming album he and Schaffer were working on. "When the Eagle Cries", a 9/11 based track, would have been perfect for his vocal range...
I'm only 25 and have not had my midlife crisis yet, perhaps this is why I can't understand when a musician makes a decision such as this...
Long live the albums "Something Wicked this Way Comes", "The Dark Saga", and "Horror Show". "Alive In Athens" proves Iced Earth's past ability as a live band!
Long live the Barlow-era Iced Earth,
and curse Ripper Owens...
Matt was my best friend throughout high school, and our little town here in Delaware is so glad to have him back! (Not that we weren't proud of everything he had accomplished while away....)
But, you're right....he is a very down-to-earth guy. He's doing well, and he & his wife Heather have recently become parents to a sweet baby boy. (he was born last Oct)
I remember Matt didn't start growing his hair out until his senior year. I remember asking his dad what he thought of Matt's hair around that time. I'll never forget his answer...."Not my thing.....but the chicks seem to love it!"
Matt is a police officer, and has a brother in the same troop.
