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 I first met Robert Reisinger in November 1992 - actually, "noticed" would be a better way to put it. At the time, I was working as a security liaison for the German promoter and wasn't working for the band full-time yet. I started to notice this kid turning up gig after gig, and wondered if he had a life of his own. Little did I know at the time, that Metallica was Robert's life! Having been with the band ever since, and travelled all across the globe, I had the privilege of meeting a lot of hardcore and dedicated fans. Robert Reisinger was what I believe a thorough fan really is. Never one to ask, bother, or pry. Always very thoughtful and polite, to the point of almost always coming across as being shy. As time passed, I got respect for Robert more and more, due to the fact that he was always putting in time and effort for the band and for thousands of others whenever or wherever they wanted. Being Robert, he never wanted anything in return. Several of the crew and I kinda took Robert in as one of ours, because he was always there. I am sure that he's been to more shows than many other crew members, and had a love for the band that could have been topped by maybe only the band members themselves. For many of us, Metallica is our living; for Robert, it was his life. I am very saddened by his death, and more so to find out about the battles that he fought alone. I believe Robert fell through the cracks, a simple quiet guy who kept his private life very much to himself, and being himself, didn't ask for help when he really needed it. The system is not set up for people like this, they go unnoticed until it is too late. Whatever help he got wasn't enough or intense enough, for reasons beyond anyone's control. Maybe had he been a rich person or a well-known person, people might have taken more notice of him and his illness. But Robert just disappeared into the dark, and this time he will not come back. I hope that he finds his peace and rest that he so longed for, and that he will be free of all his demons. Robert, rest in peace! For once, do what YOU want to do, for nobody else but YOU! No Metallica show will ever be the same. We all lost a good friend.
-G |
