Studio 52 is a community artist space located in the heart of Allston, and is proud to support the Boston music scene and local artist community.
The Boston music community is rallying together to support scene veteran John Surette.
The Malden native, who in the early '80s fronted revered rock band Boys Life and recently wrote a punk rock opera titled Tomorrow The World, has fallen ill, with extended hospitalizations and recovery needs. A GoFundMe campaign was launched last night (July 5) to help combat his rising medical costs, and it comes with a personal note written by longtime friend and collaborator Richie Parsons of Unnatural Axe.
"John Surette is a Boston rock legend," writes Parsons. "At age 17, he formed and fronted his punk band Boys’ Life, famously announcing their arrival at the Rock and Roll Rumble with, 'We are Boys’ Life, and we are here to make you feel old.' Before long they were rocking the local punk rock clubs like The Rat and Cantones, quickly becoming headliners including a sold out record release party at The Channel. Along the way, they opened for favorite bands like The Jam, Echo and the Bunnymen, Joan Jett, and The Ramones."
Surette, who also managed Jacques Underground, recently fell ill as he was writing the sequel to Tomorrow The World, and three months ago his condition worsened. He also lost his job.
"He suffered from blackouts he would have no memory of," Parsons adds. "The blackouts always led to an ambulance ride and a stay in the hospital. Five in total. They would release him and he would have another blackout and wind up back in the hospital. They kept him in the hospital for two months. They finally diagnosed the problem; his body was not getting rid of toxins, building up, causing the blackouts. He had also developed diabetes. They prescribed and balanced the necessary medications and John is on the mend. He is home, following his treatment plan, gaining strength, reunited with his beloved dog Amanda, hoping to get back in the studio someday soon."
The money raised in the campaign, Parsons notes, will go towards covering Surette's rent while he recovers, as well as cover "food, medicine, and hospital bills... John is still sick and needs some financial help just to survive until he can stand on his own."
Listen to a few tracks from Boys Life's heyday below...