I remember Lori-Lynn and her brother Frank Surber… and their parents too. Frank was my roommate at Wittenberg University's Upward Bound (UB) program. That's me sitting in front of teenage Frank in the 1979 UB group photo - we're both wearing hats. We were much cooler than we looked in that old b&w photo.

Frank loved playing hard rock lead guitar - he was REALLY good. He was destined to be a rock star. At the 1979 UB Summer banquet, Frank and his friend (Tony?) excitedly plugged in their electric guitars (no drummer or singer) and rocked the crowd. It might have been his first gig.

At that time he closely followed a rising musician named Eddie Van Halen. Frank could play "Eruption" finger-tapping note for note just like Eddie. In August 1979, Lori drove Frank & I to Dayton's Hara Arena for our first Van Halen concert. We arrived early for great seats and loved the show - it probably changed both of our lives. Thereafter I've seen at least one show from every Van Halen tour to-date (seriously) - and I'm always reminded of Frank.

Years later separately we both moved to Southern California. I attended the "Frank Surber benefit show" at Ruby Tuesdays in Springfield Ohio about 1988. I called him at his hospital room from a pay phone during the band's performance and let about everybody in attendance grab the phone to say hello. I cried when I learned he had passed. Frank lives on as a young rock star in my memories.

Contact me and I can tell you more.

Harry Pemberton

PembertonH@aol.com

April 23, 2014

Lori-Lynn Surber