Stiv Bators (aka Steve Bator) was my dearest and most precious friend. He was the brother I never had, my partner in crime, and I loved him more than anything, and still love him dearly.
Not a day goes by that I don't think of him and remember all of the great times we had! Whenever we were together, I laughed so hard my face would hurt. The times I spent with him were the best times of my life. If you knew him personally, you'll know why I added the title "Prince of Practical Jokes" :-D
He was born on October 22, 1949 in Youngstown, Ohio, an only son of Marian & Steve Bator, and was taken from us all too soon on June 3, 1990, in Paris, France, at the young age of 40. ...16 years later, I still miss him as much as I did back then, if not more...and the only way that I can describe how I feel is that when you have someone as special as Stiv in your life, and then he's taken away, there's a Stiv shaped hole in your heart that no one else will ever be able to fill. Actually, I want it this way, as that Stiv shaped hole in my heart is sacred to me, and no one else deserves it.
Once Stiv has touched your life, you'll never be the same again, as you will never find a closer friend, that will stick by you no matter what, encourage and inspire you, and love you unconditionally, asking nothing in return.
Of course, he would also send you magazine subscriptions that you don't want, drive away and leave you all alone for a few hours at an insane asyllum, call you at 4:30 a.m., telling your mom it's an emergency when it wasn't, give you a "Sympathy" card for your wedding, and sign your wedding book as Mick Jagger! ...and don't EVER drive him to Toronto when there's a truck driver in the lane next to you that thinks he's a good looking girl in the passenger seat, put your hand in a box of popcorn that he's holding at a movie, or ask him which bathroom is the Ladies room when everything is written in French!!! ...Nevertheless, despite "All This and More"...in fact SO much more that he's done to and with me, ya just gotta LOVE him, and believe me, I did, and still do! God Bless You, Stiv, ya little bugger! I hope you're still making them laugh in Heaven! :-)
Stiv and I both grew up in Girard, Ohio, and I met him one day when he was sitting in a car in front of my high school. I can still see him sitting in that powder blue mustang, with his long hair blowing in the wind, and his leather jacket with fringes that were popular back then. As soon as I saw him, I just had this feeling that he would change my life FOREVER, and he did in so many ways! He was so far ahead of his time, even back then, and so incredibly intelligent! He was truly a genius!
His Mom and Dad told me just a few weeks ago that when Stiv was very young, he would always tell them that there were three things that he wanted to do when he grew up, and they were...go to LA, make a record, and go to England, and how blessed he was, as he was successful in doing all this and more! I never realized how many people his life had touched until I made this page for him, and he has fans and friends all over the world, and it gives me such joy to know that so many people loved him! I only hope and pray that Stiv knew how very much he was loved.
He had such an amazing onstage presence that I could never take my eyes off him, and I've heard and read so many other comments by friends of mine that said the same thing. He could hold you in a trance watching him on stage, and while he was performing, he was Young, Loud, and Snotty! But, to see him off stage, he was quiet, well mannered, and the perfect gentleman! Quite the Jekyll and Hyde! He never showed his true self to many people, except those very close to him, and how blessed I was to know the real Steve!
Steve used to tell me all the time that rock stars are never famous until they die. At that time, we were running back and forth to Cleveland and Toronto, going to concerts, and movies, etc....but at that time he was only singing with local bands, and hadn't even begun to be "Stiv" yet. Well, this was the only time that I can ever remember that he was wrong about something, as he could hold you in a hypnotic trance while performing on stage, he could dance better than Jagger, his sense of humor was better than any comedian I can think of, and his unselfish love and devotion to his friends was similar to that of Jesus. Stiv was famous to me, and so many others that I've met since starting this page long before he was taken away from us!I found out where he got his talent when I saw a video of his Dad singing and dancing with the Senior Citizens group that they belong to. His dad reminds me so much of Stiv that I get chills at times when I'm talking to him, as they laugh the same, sound very much alike, and even have the same smile, and twinkle in their eyes! And, the same sense of humor!...well, actually Mr. Bator is a little more reserved, of course!
His mom and dad have such a perfect marriage, with so much respect and love for each other than you can just feel it when you're with them. They are still so much in love that they can't stand to be apart, even after almost 60 years of marriage, and I think this is where Stiv learned how to love and respect people. When you grow up in a home filled with that kind of love, you learn by what you feel, see, and hear, and how blessed he was to have such wonderful parents! They supported him with no questions asked when he told them that he quit his job at the steel mill, and wanted to become a rock star. To this day, Mr. and Mrs. Bator are my second family, and I absolutely adore them! And, how blessed his parents were, to have such a loving, caring son! Stiv was the BEST at anything he did, including respecting, loving, and supporting his parents, right back!
His musical career started out one night when I was with him at a local bar, and they had an "amateur night" when people could get up and sing with a local band, so I talked him into going up on stage and singing, and he was amazing! I told him again and again how good he was, but he kept on asking me, really? Are you sure? Of course, I was more than sure, and always told him so, and encouraged him to do what he loved the best, and of course what he was the BEST at doing!
He then he went on to join a group called Mother Goose in the late 60's/early 70's, which was way ahead of its time. Someone recorded a show he did, which included a marching band, many stunts on stage, and ending with a "sacrifice", of which I had the honor to particiate, as the sacrificial virgin! Thanks so much to whoever recorded that show! I finally received a copy of it, thanks to Frank Secich! It was so good to see us together again! I was in tears when I saw us together on that stage, and I cry every time I watch it. I will treasure that video forever!
Frank Secich is also a long time friend of mine, that I adore, and a rock legend also! He was another of Stiv's closest friends, and actually saved Stiv's life...twice! He played in quite a few of Stiv's bands, and he's the first person in my top 24, so if you'd like to join his group of friends, I'm sure he would love to hear from you!
After Mother Goose, then followed Frankenstein, The Dead Boys, The Stiv Bators Band, some solo items, The Disconnected Band, The Wanderers, and The Lords of the New Church.
In 1976, I got married, and was out of circulation for 22 years or so, but even after the Steve I knew so well had become Stiv Bators and was so famous, he never forgot his friends, including me. He would call me when he was back in town, and give me albums, and he even got to meet my oldest son, Johnny, who was two years old at the time. To this day, Johnny is one of Stiv's biggest fans!
Stiv never let it go to his head, even after he became a famous rock star, as he would still meet his fans, jump into the crowd when on stage, sign pictures, and share his love with them. How many rock stars can you think of that would invite fans backstage, give money to the poor, and even give the coat he was wearing, to some poor soul that had none?
How I hoped and prayed that when I heard of his death that it was just one more of his famous pranks, and that one day I would hear from him, laughing and joking around again, as he always did, and to this day I have dreams of seeing him again, and being with the best friend I've ever had, but if this never happens, I can always look forward to seeing him again in Heaven, where I'm sure he'll be waiting for me with that devilish grin, his silent laugh, and many more tricks to play on me, and, to tell you the truth, I can hardly wait!
To quote a few people who paid Mr. and Mrs. Bator their respects at his funeral, he was a "Disciple of Love", ...and maybe he loved so many people so much, and gave them all that he had to give, that his work was now done on this earth, and he has now gone to Heaven to receive his reward.
Actually, that's what this page is all about...as I wanted not only to make a page in honor and remembrance of Stiv, but also to let you all know what a blessing Stiv was to me, his parents, and so many others that his life had touched! He was truly the BEST of the BEST in every way!
May God Bless You, Stiv!...as much as you have blessed us! Then, you would truly receive your reward!
You may be gone from this earth, but you will forever live on in our hearts and memories!
Rest in Peace, my Precious Friend, and Keep on Rockin' in Heaven!
Till we meet again...
My LOVE and thoughts are always with you!
October 22, 2006
Happy Birthday, Stiv!
The leaves are now falling
And so are my tears
I wish that I somehow could
Bring back those years
When we were together
I love you so much
I'll never forget
How my heart you have touched
You are my best friend
And forever will be
Since we've been so close
You are now part of me
Soon we'll be together
Again with no end
Wait for me in Heaven
My precious best friend
Happy Birthday, Stiv!
My love and thoughts are with you
Always & Forever!
Karen
If you were a friend, or a fan of Stiv's, and any of the great bands that he's been in, we would love to have you join our group of friends! Just send me a request, and I'll reply as soon as possible.
My favorite picture of Stiv...the one in the black leather jacket, was taken by Devorah Ostrov. Thank you so much, Devorah, for capturing his personality so well with a picture! You are wonderful! See more at this site...http://www.angelsinexile.i12.com/devorahostrov/html/i
ndex.htm
Also, thank you for the above information, Steve from England! Steve has created a great site so be sure to check it out! Here's the info: http://www.angelsinexile.i12.com/lords/html/index.htm And, thank you also, Steve, for helping to keep Stiv's memory alive! I can't tell you how much it means to me!
A GREAT BIG WELCOME HUG TO ALL OF OUR NEW FRIENDS! Please feel free to share your love & admiration for Stiv, and all that he's done for us, and I'll post it as soon as I receive it~there's lots of love to share~
I've just added lots of new pictures that I found all over the web. I have no idea exactly who photographed what, but I know that Devorah Ostrov did lots of them, and some are by Amour, some by David Arnoff, and some by Theresa Kereakes...and I'm sure that there are many others that I don't know about yet. I'll be adding links and proper credits soon.
If you're one of the great photographers viewing the pics I posted on Stiv, if you can please let me know who took what, I'll add your name to the pictures, as these pictures are so very precious to me, and you should get proper credit for taking them. Thanks so much!
~*~ When someone you love becomes a memory,
that memory becomes a treasure ~*~
~~~What Stiv hath joined together, let no man put asunder~~~
This site is still under construction...More to come soon :-)
I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
