GoFundMe Started for Widow of Animals As Leader’s Guitar Tech
There’s often a big fuss made when famous members of the metal community suddenly pass away, but not so much for those in smaller bands or working behind the scenes. We’re happy to report that today, that isn’t the case.
Last weekend, it was announced that Dave Cohen, the guitar tech for Animals As Leaders, suddenly passed away on the road. Now, a GoFundMe is being launched to help support his widow following his sudden death.
In addition to working with the famed band, Cohen also played music with Chuggernaut and various other projects and worked as a luthier for Equilibrium Guitars. He passed away tragically and suddenly at 36 years of age.
The wife he left behind, Mariann Cohen, is also in the metal community and has worked with the band Stryper as a guitar and monitor tech. It is Stryper who are organizing the GoFundMe. Both husband and wife both also worked for Stryper as techs in the past.
Donate to the GoFundMe here.
The statement from Stryper about the fundraiser states:
On Sunday, July 16th, our dear friend and brother, Dave Cohen, suddenly passed away. He was only 36 years old.
Both Dave and his wife, Mariann, joined the Stryper camp in early 2023, with Dave as our guitar tech and Mariann as dual guitar and monitor tech. Most recently, Dave was working on the Dreamsonic tour, while Mariann joined us for a brief, but immensely challenging bus run throughout the Southeast.
Tragically, while attending a show on his day off in Billings, MT, Dave passed away.
We were performing in Bristol, VA at the time, and Mariann was informed of the news shortly after our show. As you can imagine, we were in utter shock and disbelief.
Dave was a truly amazing person. Humble, yet gifted beyond measure. He was a remarkable luthier, as demonstrated by his company “Equilibrium Guitars,” founded in 2011. He was an accomplished player and an incredible guitar and amp tech. He loved music, and put every ounce of his God-given talent back into it. As far as human beings go, he was remarkable; a gentle giant with a contagious spirit of love, grace, and humility, adored by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. And he certainly met his match in his beloved wife, Mariann, who shares so many of his wonderful qualities.
We are devastated by the loss of Dave and, more than anything, wish to support his beloved wife as she navigates through this unthinkably dark and difficult time. Mariann will be facing many financial burdens in the coming months, from medical bills to funeral/memorial planning, plus general cost-of-living expenses that are sure to accrue. We will not let her face these challenges alone, and we humbly invite you to join us in carrying this weight with her. We are asking you, our fans, friends, family, and beyond…all who knew Dave or were touched by Dave…let us gather around Mariann and help meet her needs.
If you can give anything, it will be a tremendous blessing and an amazing gift. If you cannot, we simply ask that you share this fund with as many people as possible, and maybe take a moment to share some words of support.
We thank you for your love, thoughts and prayers, and of course, for your generosity.
May God bless you all,
Michael
