NEWS

Lit Drummer Allen Shellenberger Succumbs To Brain Cancer

Allen Shellenberger, drummer for the Orange County rock band Lit, lost his battle with brain cancer on Thursday, August 13, 2009, surrounded by his family, the band, and close friends. Shellenberger was thirty-nine years old.

In May 2008, the drummer was diagnosed with a malignant glioma brain tumor and immediately underwent clinical trials, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments at the Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute.

Shellenberger helped found Lit over two decades ago and was able to perform with the group until last fall. In a statement from Kevin Baldes, Jeremy Popoff, and A. Jay Popoff, Allen’s bandmates had this to say of their longtime friend:

“To know Al was to know laughter. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. Words cannot express how much he will be missed. This was our brother, and not a day will go by that we won’t think about him. Right now we’re trying to find the balance of mourning his loss and celebrating his life. Allen has experienced more in his thirty-nine years than most people dream of in ten lifetimes. This is a tremendous loss for us, our fans, and also for Allen’s family, who took such good care of him during his battle with cancer.”

Shellenberger is survived by his daughter, Giovanna Mackey; his mother, Connie James; and his father, Paul Shellenberger. Lit and Allen’s family wish to thank everyone who supported the benefits for him.

Funeral services will be private and for family members only. A memorial event for Shellenberger is pending.

Visit Lit online at www.myspace.com/litlounge.


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