PETER STEELE’S TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN

As a member of Type O Negative and Carnivore, Peter Steele regularly antagonized society’s sensitivity police with blunt observations on sex, race, and violence. And he played doomy, dour metal about love and death, sharpened a few of his teeth to a point, and did drugs. But still, in death he is metal’s Princess Di, a symbol of our values: individuality, skill, and heart. That’s why fans do things to celebrate his memory, things that require time, resources, and effort, that net no profit, and that pay proper respect to our memories of him.

A wondrous example is “Peter’s Tree,” a Facebook group devoted to planting a tree in NYC’s Prospect Park as a dedication to Steele, free-thinker, nature poet, and onetime parks worker. And Monday was the big day: At a 10 a.m. ceremony, Peter’s special oak tree (above) got its official planting at a scenic — and permanent — spot in the north side of the park (map here). It’s genius cuz a tree’s lifespan is such that even fans yet to be born will someday enjoy it, and double-genius since a tree provides shelter and sustenance for other creatures. Peter would love that. Plus it’s tall and you can hug it. See you there!

-ADF

More photos and info here. Comment from Type O Negative’s Johnny Kelly here. The MetalSucks Peter Steele tribute interview special here and here.