I was at my studio. When I heard that Chi Cheng had died, I stopped working. I couldn’t work anymore. I just wanted more info. I wanted to know if they pulled the plug, if there was no possible way he’d come back.
I first met him a long, long time ago when we played some shows together. He was a meat-and-potatoes kind of bass player, very modest, and I liked that. I connected with the whole band. We were like brothers — Deftones and us — like two brother bands. I remember one time when we did Ozzfest together, Chi and I were talking — not partying or drinking — and he was very spiritual. We were talking about how high you could be as a spiritual person. We talked about using your head and using your power and energy. He was the coolest guy in the world and I miss him very much.
When I first heard about his accident, the first thing I did was I got on a plane and flew to San Jose to see him. I didn’t even tell anybody. I just got on a flight and flew. I needed to see him and to be there for his mother. I was highly involved in that whole thing really from the beginning to the end. It was all very difficult. Now his smile is my fondest memory of him.
Deftones’ Chi Cheng Remembered: A Tribute to the Coolest Guy in the World
