Biography
Early life
Chuck Schuldiner was born on May 13th 1967 in Long Island, New York to a Jewish family of Austrian descent. In 1968, his family moved to Florida. Chuck was the youngest of three children. He had an older brother named Frank and an older sister named Bethann.
Chuck started playing at the age of 9. His 16 year old brother had just been killed in a car accident and his parents bought him a guitar, thinking it would help with his grief. He took classical lessons for less than a year, but didn't like it, so he stopped. Then his parents saw an electric guitar at a yard sale and bought that for him and he absolutely loved it. After getting him amps, he never stopped playing, writing and teaching himself. Chuck was in the garage or his room playing his guitar just about all day on Saturday and Sunday but was limited to three hours on weekdays when school was in session. Chuck first played in public in his early teens.
Chuck was originally inspired by Iron Maiden, KISS and Billy Idol, among others. Slayer, Possessed and Metallica were later influences he would apply more to his own band, but his mother claims that he enjoyed all forms of music except country and rap. He also apparently particuarly enjoyed jazz and classical music in addition to metal.
Although Chuck apparently did do well in school, school bored him and he eventually dropped out. He did regret this later, however.
Chuck was also known for being openly against hard drugs, something rare in the metal community. This was refelected in various interviews and a few songs (notably "Living Monstrosity", which is about a cocaine addict born to a cocaine addicted mother)
Musical career
Chuck formed Death as "Mantas" in 1983.
In January 1986, at a time when Death fell apart, Schuldiner temporarily joined the Canadian band Slaughter on guitar. However, he quickly returned to reform Death.
It took him a long time and he went through many lineup changes with Death. With Chris Reifert, he eventually released his first album, as Death, titled Scream Bloody Gore in 1987. This album is widely considered to have laid the blueprint for death metal music. He continued with 1988's Leprosy and 1990s Spiritual Healing.
After Spiritual..., Chuck stopped working with hired musicians for bands and now worked only with studio musicians after bad relationships with Death's previous rythem section. This earned Chuck something of a "perfectionist" reputation in the metal community.
Death's breakthrough album, Human saw the band evolving to a more technical and progressive style, in which Chuck displayed his guitar skills more than ever. He continued in this style (and continued the success of the band) with 1993s Individual Thought Patterns, 1995s Symbolic, and finally The Sound of Perseverance in 1998.
Chuck played guitar in the project Voodoo Cult on the album Jesus Killing Machine in 1994.
Chuck folded Death after this to form a new band called Control Denied, and released The Fragile Art of Existence in 1999.
Battle with cancer
In May 1999, Chuck started experiencing some pain in his upper neck which he initially thought was a pinched nerve. He consulted with a chiropractor followed by a massage therapist/acupuncturist who recommended an MRI Exam He was correct about the pinched nerve, but unfortunately it was being caused by a tumor. On his birthday, May 13th 1999, Chuck was diagnosed with pontine glioma, a type of brain cancer that invades the brain stem. He immediately underwent radiation therapy. In October 1999, it was annouced that the tumor had been broken up, and that he was on the way to recovery. In January 2000, Chuck underwent surgery to remove what remained of his tumor. The operation was a success. Even though this seemed like good news, the Schuldiner family was struggling financially. The total costs of the operations would come to $70,000, a price the Schuldiner family could not afford. Many fundraisers, auctions, and benefit concerts took place to help cover the costs. The money began to come in as the metal community, in total shock, realized that Chuck's life was in danger. The metal community and the Schuldiner family showed deep concern because Chuck could lose his life due to lack of funds. The doctors that removed his tumor called the original diagnosis of pontine glioma a misdiagnosis. Chuck continued to work on his music, continuing his work with Control Denied. About two years after his original diagnosis, in May 2001, Chuck fell ill again. His tumor had returned. He was originally denied surgery (which he needed immediately) due to lack of funds. A press release called for support from everyone, including fellow artists. Jane Schuldiner urged all who read the statements about Chuck and his illness to go out and get insurance. She showed her frustration in the American system. Chuck was given an experimental drug called Vincristine to help with his therapy. The drug poisoned his system. However, Chuck fought on. In late October/early November, Chuck became ill with pneumonia.
Death
On December 13th 2001, at 4 PM Eastern Standard Time, Chuck Schuldiner passed away.
Legacy
His mother, Jane Schuldiner, is currently occupied with handling his legacy. She frequently interacts with Chuck's fans and has stated many times that she enjoys his music. Chuck's sister Beth seems to keep track of his recordings.
Despite his passing, his legacy lives on through his fans and his recordings. However, a legal battle is in progress on the settlement of the rights to the partially completed second Control Denied album.
Discography
With Death
With Control Denied
With Voodoo Cult
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