Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised to cover memorial service costs for Bo Lueders.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been launched to help the family of Harm's Way guitarist and HardLore podcast host Bo Lueders, who passed away yesterday (April 2) at the age of 38.
The crowdfunder is to help Bo's mother Wendy and partner Taylor cover the costs of afterlife and memorial services in his hometown of Chicago. At the time of writing, the fund has raised an incredible $136,000.
You can donate to the GoFundMe now.
Following the news of Bo's tragic passing, hundreds of tributes have been paid from friends and peers alike across social media.
"I will love, mourn, and celebrate you forever," wrote Bo's longtime friend and podcast co-host Colin Young.
"This beautiful thing we built together was the greatest honor of my life, and my only solace is knowing that we documented a lifetime of memories, at first to share with the world, but now to look back on and preserve your warm, kind soul forever.
"Say hey to Cayle and Cliff Burton for us, and feel free to stop by and haunt me any time.
"Every song is about you now. Let’s do it all again in the next life."
Harm's Way frontman James Pligge, who co-founded the band with Bo back in 2006, shared, "I met Bo 24 years ago, we were just young hardcore kids searching for our place. I was fortunate enough to meet Bo and Chris at the same time and we hit it off right away. From then on we created a bond that not many people can ever say they have with someone. I was able to play music, eat expensive food and see some of the world’s most beautiful places with him. We spent hours together in hotels rooms, in the drivers seat or shotgun just talking about the Sopranos or listening to Crowbar. It’s hard when everything you’ve done in the last 20 years is with someone who’s now gone and I’m going to really miss him.
"Bo really cared about his friends and was a funny, kind and smart person. We lived a life not many get to do together and it is that I am forever grateful.
"The last thing I’ll say is that there is nothing more important than your family and friends. Make sure to call them, see them and make plans with them. In the end the love and bonds we make with people will live on forever. Now Bo will live on in our memories, although I wish for nothing more that we could make more, I am glad we got to live the life we did together."
At the time of Bo's passing, HardLore and Harm's Way shared a joint statement, which read, "He will be remembered for his unwavering empathy and compassion for his friends & family and his magnetic, inimitable presence on & off the stage.
"We kindly ask for grace and privacy as we navigate this extremely difficult time.
For those struggling with depression or urges to self harm, help is always available. We’re not in this alone. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988."
If you’re in the UK and struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, or just want to speak to someone, please reach out to the Samaritans on 116 123, or visit Samaritans.org.
