Philip Anselmo Pays Emotional Video + Concert Tribute to Warbeast’s Bruce Corbitt
The news of Warbeast and Rigor Mortis singer Bruce Corbitt's death reached the public Friday afternoon (Jan. 25), and Philip Anselmo made sure to pay his respects a couple of times on Friday.
The Pantera vocalist was in Santiago, Chile preparing for a show with his current band The Illegals when he learned of Corbitt's passing. Anselmo had a close history with the singer, as his Housecore Records label issued all three of Warbeast's albums. Anselmo's other band Down had also toured with Warbeast, and the vocalist was the best man at Corbitt's wedding in 2012.
Before the show, Anselmo taped a video with Illegals drummer Blue Gonzalez, primarily just to share the news. "I have so much I can possibly say about Bruce, and I will eventually. But for right now, all I can say is I send my love to his wife, his daughter, his mother and everybody that was close to him. The guys in Warbeast, the guys in Rigor Mortis, all the DFW [Dallas-Fort Worth] fans, I love you so much, and I know Bruce loved you so much," stated Anselmo. "I wouldn't even know Blue if it weren't for Bruce. And there's a lot to sort through and a lot to deal with. Over the next few days, just find it in your heart to think about Bruce and his family and his music and his impact on heavy metal and music in general. That's really all I can say right now. We love you."
An emotional Anselmo then took the stage in Santiago, sharing the news with the crowd. "A friend of ours, one of our best friends, passed away earlier today. The singer for Warbeast and the singer for Rigor Mortis, Bruce Corbitt, died this morning. I'm gonna send this set out to him and I want everybody to show him some love. Let me hear you now," exclaimed the singer, with the crowd responding with a cheer.
Anselmo then opened the show with a song rarely played by his group, with he and the Illegals performing a moody rendition of "The Better" with the audience getting involved and clapping and chanting as Anselmo raised his arms skyward. Watch below.
Corbitt was diagnosed with Stage 3 esophageal cancer in May 2017, and had documented many of the highs and lows that came with his treatment as he fought the battle for his life. Bruce Corbitt was 56 years old.
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