Randy Blythe to auction gold disc for late fan The Duke

By Martin Kielty
( Metal Hammer )
published

Lamb Of God frontman Randy Blythe offers gold disc for auction to assist cancer charity after death of fan who inspired The Duke EP

Randy Blythe and Wayne Ford
Blythe and fan Ford when they first met

Randy Blythe is to auction a Lamb Of God gold disc to assist a cancer charity, in memory of the late fan who inspired the band’s upcoming The Duke EP.

He wrote the title track as a tribute to Wayne Ford, who died last year, aged 33, after a five-year battle against leukaemia. The pair had known each other since 2012.

This week Blythe told how he’d asked Ford for a message he wanted to live on after him – and although he didn’t receive a reply, the lyrics for The Duke were inspired by their other interactions.

The frontman said: “Those of us who think about how we’ll die hope that we’ll do so with dignity. But no one knows how they’ll handle death until it comes for them.

“Wayne provided me with a living example of how to leave this world with grace. So I decided to write the lyrics to The Duke from my feeble understanding of his perspective, and in his honour.”

Now Blythe reports: “This is my copy of the Ashes Of The Wake gold record. Soon it will be available in a charity auction to benefit The Leukaemia & Lymphoma Society.

“More details about the charity auction and how you can own my gold record – and other items donated by the band – will be released soon. Also, you can go to www.bethematch.org to get on the bone marrow registry. It’s easy, free, and you might save someone’s life.”

Ashes Of The Wake, Lamb Of God’s third album, was released in 2004. The Duke EP arrives on December 2. The band have nine shows remaining on their 2016 touring schedule.

A photo posted by on

Lamb Of God: The Duke EP tracklist

  1. The Duke
  2. Culling
  3. Still Echoes (live at Rock Am Ring)
  4. 512 (live at Rock Am Ring)
  5. Engage The Fear Machine (live at Bonnaroo)

Lamb Of God tour dates 2016

Oct 26: Auckland Vector Arena, New Zealand
Oct 28: Boondall Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Australia
Oct 29: Sydney Qudos Bank Arena, Australia
Oct 31: Melbourne Rod Laver Arena, Australia
Nov 01: Adelaide HQ Complex, Australia
Nov 03: Fremantle Metropolis, Australia
Nov 06: Chiba Knotfest, Japan
Nov 11: Mexico City Pepsi Center, Mexico
Nov 12: Monterrey Northside Festival, Mexico

Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe: My Life Story

Martin Kielty
Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.