Chuck Schuldiner, founder of Death was born on May 13, 1967. Chuck grew up in Orlando, Florida. He was the youngest of 3 siblings(his brother Frank and sister Bethanne), his parents: his father an immigrant from Austria and mother from somewhere in the American south. Growing up Chuck was always fascinated with music. Chuck started playing guitar at the age of 9, his older brother Frank (16 at the time) had died in an accident, and his parents bought him a guitar thinking it would help him with his depression. Chuck took classical lessons for less than a year and almost quit guitar completely until his parents bought him an electric guitar. After getting amps and other equipment he became attached to the instrument. Chuck first started playing publicly in his early teens.
Chucks inspirations were bands such as Iron Maiden, Kiss and Billy Idol among many others. He was also very interested in the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal). Slayer, Possessed, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond and Metallica would become later influences in his own band (Death). Chucks mother, Jane said that Chuck loved all kinds of music except for country and rap. He enjoyed Jazz, Classical, and Metal. Chuck preformed well as a student in school, but he began to grow bored of education so he dropped out. (He later regretted this decision). Chuck formed Death as Mantas in 1983 at the age of 16. in 1986 Chuck Moved to Toronto to temporarily join the Canadian band Slaughter. He quickly moved back to Florida to drop Mantas and form Death. It is said that Chuck chose the name Death in order to help with the grief of his brother Frank and "turn it into something positive". Their first album Scream Bloody Gore is said to be the staple for the death metal genre.
At the time of the Leprosy Album Chuck started to drift away from the gore/horror lyrics and started heading in a direction where the lyrics started to correspond with the concept of reality. From every album after Leprosy, Chuck started to put a more philosophical mood into his lyrics.
Chucks inspirations were bands such as Iron Maiden, Kiss and Billy Idol among many others. He was also very interested in the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal). Slayer, Possessed, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond and Metallica would become later influences in his own band (Death). Chucks mother, Jane said that Chuck loved all kinds of music except for country and rap. He enjoyed Jazz, Classical, and Metal. Chuck preformed well as a student in school, but he began to grow bored of education so he dropped out. (He later regretted this decision). Chuck formed Death as Mantas in 1983 at the age of 16. in 1986 Chuck Moved to Toronto to temporarily join the Canadian band Slaughter. He quickly moved back to Florida to drop Mantas and form Death. It is said that Chuck chose the name Death in order to help with the grief of his brother Frank and "turn it into something positive". Their first album Scream Bloody Gore is said to be the staple for the death metal genre.
At the time of the Leprosy Album Chuck started to drift away from the gore/horror lyrics and started heading in a direction where the lyrics started to correspond with the concept of reality. From every album after Leprosy, Chuck started to put a more philosophical mood into his lyrics.
In May of 1999, Chuck began experiencing a sharp pain in his upper neck , which he thought was a pinched nerve. After speaking to an acupuncturist it turns out that the pinched nerve was caused by a tumor. On Chucks birthday, May 13, 1999 he was diagnosed with a high grade pontine glioma (a rare type of brain cancer that invades the brainstem). He immediately went under radiation therapy. Chuck's family had announced that after a few months of therapy, the tumor had shrunk. In January, of 2000 Chuck had surgery on what was left of the tumor. The operation was a success. However the Schuldiner family was struggling financially as Chuck's medical bill's came out to $70,000, a price that the family could not afford. The metal community soon found out and started sending money in for benefit concerts as they knew Schuldiner's life was in danger. Chuck continued to work on his music, his mother Jane quoted that "Chuck was a perfectionist in his music even when I told him to rest he refused until everything was perfect". Two years after his original diagnosis in May, 2001 the cancer returned and Chuck once again fell ill. He was denied surgery (which he needed immediately) due to lack of funds. There was a press release which called for support from the metal community, anyone who was willing to help a cause and fellow musicians. His mother deeply urged all who read the statement of Chuck and his illness to go out and get insurance. She also strongly stated her frustration with the American healthcare system.
Chuck had taken out medical insurance after his first surgery, but the insurer refused to pay for it because the tumor existed before he had gotten the insurance. Many artists including Kid Rock, Korn and The Red Hot Chili Peppers got together during the summer of 2001 to auction off personal items regarding the funds of Chuck's medical expenses, which was covered by MTV. Schuldiner had received a chemotherapy drug called vincristine to help with his therapy. But like most drugs used for treating cancer the side effects were harsh and it had weakened him greatly. In late October/early November Chuck had become ill with pneumonia, which only made matters worse.
Chuck Schuldiner died on December 13, 2001 at approximately 4 p.m. EST. He was cremated, and it was reported that artists such as: King Diamond, Mike Patton, Max Cavalera, Ville Valo, Trey Azagthoth and Glen Benton along with all of the active members of Death all attended his memorial service.
Chuck had taken out medical insurance after his first surgery, but the insurer refused to pay for it because the tumor existed before he had gotten the insurance. Many artists including Kid Rock, Korn and The Red Hot Chili Peppers got together during the summer of 2001 to auction off personal items regarding the funds of Chuck's medical expenses, which was covered by MTV. Schuldiner had received a chemotherapy drug called vincristine to help with his therapy. But like most drugs used for treating cancer the side effects were harsh and it had weakened him greatly. In late October/early November Chuck had become ill with pneumonia, which only made matters worse.
Chuck Schuldiner died on December 13, 2001 at approximately 4 p.m. EST. He was cremated, and it was reported that artists such as: King Diamond, Mike Patton, Max Cavalera, Ville Valo, Trey Azagthoth and Glen Benton along with all of the active members of Death all attended his memorial service.