This week I would like to
introduce my Students to my daughter, Christina Newport. Quite simply, I
could not have accomplished the things I have done in my life if she was not by
my side.
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Christina and Max at Ozzy's wedding
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From my early roots in the
Bootlegger's, Christina has been my rock, my constant supporter. After
school, she would skedaddle to the club and help me in the kitchen, plan shows,
organize band's needs, and babysit endless hours. She taught me about
underground music, bands like the Dead Kennedys, SNFU, RKL, SOD, JFA, and Bad
Religion. She would go in the pit ferociously and display her trophy of
bruises the next day.
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| Family time at Christmas |
When the cops took the club
from us, she mentally supported me through my nervous breakdown, assuring me
the world hadn't ended. After I got my mojo back, we began promoting
shows together. We headed to LA and scoured the clubs looking for small
acts to bring to Phoenix. Dark Angel, LA Guns, Faster Pussycat, Znowwhite
and Nuclear Assault among many others. She introduced me to the Victor
Brothers, who gave me a venue to do my thing in. We were alive again!!
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Christina with Danny Lilker |
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Christina with Danny and Nino |
Christina was on top of the
game in looks and style. She taught me how to dress, how valuable a good
can of Aqua Net was, how to spike a mohawk with Elmer's Glue, all the
essentials. We were the first girls Max ever saw wear Doc Martins!
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| Getting ready for the show |
When I began touring, she
took over the house and kids. True I had to break up fights over the
landlines and pay phones and when I came home the house was a disaster, but the
kids were happy and nothing ever burnt down! Funny, all the mail would be
tossed in a garbage bag the size of a house and the mini kids were all sporting
shaved heads and mohawks, but there was always a big smile on their faces!
As my bands grew bigger and
I added Sepultura, Christina began selling merch for us. She was honest, came
up with great designs (the Third World Posse shirt-biggest selling Sep shirt
ever, was her creation), and worked harder than anyone I knew. Many times
she chased bootleggers down dark European streets, grabbing armloads of merch
and giving it away to fans. This is how she met her husband Alex Newport,
of Fudge Tunnel. I am sure you don't know the FT album GREY was written
for and about her. I must admit I was jealous!!
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| Fudge Tunnel..................................................Alex^^^ |
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Christina and I with Sepultura at the Louvre
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| On our way to Sepultura's last show in London |
After some time, she
graduated to tour manager of Soulfly and held this job for many years.
She was never afraid to kick some ass for us, or to party hardy when we
celebrated. She held this job until the birth of sweet little
Moses. Yes, she endured life at its finest moments and life at its worst,
but she always stood by me.
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| Christina and Moses |
Time has moved on and she
has 2 sweet little daughters, now by her side, Jadore and Nadja. I am
sure they will stand by her as she has stood by her mother. That is our
blood.
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Jadore and Nadja
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People remark how organized
our Soulfly tours are. When we walk into a venue, we always know what's
up; things are dialed in. I owe it all to her. Though she is not
visible in the music scene, she is there in all respect. She advances our
tours from home, fights for our rights and makes sure all production details
are perfect for our needs.
Every manager needs people
who have their back, who supports them when the going gets rosy or bleak.
Remember, it takes more than a quarterback to win the game!
Class dismissed...
