Loses Brother And Father Within A Few Months

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Steve Summers, lead vocalist for the glam rock band PRETTY BOY FLOYD has tragically suffered the loss of his brother and father within a few short months of each other.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with the funeral and medical costs. Click HERE To Help.

"Hello, this is Steve Summers from PRETTY BOY FLOYD. Some of you know me by my birth name, Steve Podwal. It’s been a long time coming for me to share with all of you this devastating and extremely heartbreaking news. I first lost my brother Mitch unexpectedly at the age of 55 a few months back in January.

Now I have lost my father Shelly this past week.

I’ve only told a few close friends about my brother's passing since it has been so hard on me; that is the shock of losing my older brother, my best friend, my hero. So, first I will talk about my brother Mitchell who some of you might know in the music industry as Mitch Stevens. My brother and I were so close from the beginning all the way to the tragedy of his sudden loss. I can go on and on about my brother. He was such a great guy, taught me so much in life and always had my back. Mitch was the first manager of PRETTY BOY FLOYD. He believed in all of us, supported us financially and was instrumental in guiding us up the ranks of rock. Mitch was so many things in life: a great brother, a great son and a father to his daughter, Alexis.

Mitch was an entrepreneur in many categories. He was a promoter on the Sunset Strip, a club owner and a band manager. He loved to live life. He participated in so many sports from surfing to skiing and even helped me with sports. Even as young child he was always creating things around the house for the neighbors; from carnivals to skateboard ramps to sports on our front lawn. Mitch was the one who got me into music and was a drummer in his own right. He even pushed me to grow my hair long and told me about girls.

All my brother wanted to do was be healthy, enjoy life and work hard.

Mitchell’s health was on a decline for some time. Meanwhile, my wife Delphine and I always made an effort to do what we could for him. We took care of Mitch the best we could. Mitch lived with us for a few years when Delphine and I first got married. After living with us, Mitch moved five minutes away so we would always be close enough to assist in his care or help him in any way. At the end of 2019 Mitch traveled to the Philippines to visit a long-time friend and try again to get healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally. Mitch was only there about 3 to 4 weeks before he was found by his friend deceased in his bed.

That was the worst call I’ve ever received. My brother and best friend was gone.

Now for my beloved father Shelly who passed away this last Tuesday. I just saw him on Monday night and Saturday night. My dad was in good spirits and seemed ok for a 90 year old man. He didn’t answer my call on Tuesday. He also hadn't called his long-time girlfriend with whom he didn't live but still spoke to on a daily basis. His girlfriend called me as we were both so concerned. I had the terrible task of going into my dad's apartment and seeing him deceased on the floor. It was a stab in my heart at a time when I was still grieving the loss of my brother.

This past year I would go grocery shopping for him since his legs were very weak. My mom and dad divorced when I was 8 years old. However, he was always a great dad as well as my buddy. He grew up in New York and loved traveling, dancing and tennis. He also always had a love for music. My dad took me to concerts and drove me to many of my Pretty Boy Floyd shows in Hollywood. He always enjoyed talking with the fans as well. I was always in contact with my dad, talking to him almost everyday and seeing him as much as we could.

I always did everything I could for my brother and father. Now they are both gone within a few months of each other. As I'm writing to you, I feel that there is so much more to say. But at the moment I’m writing on emotions. Nevertheless, I've explained to the best of my ability, the pain I'm in. Added to that is the effect the corona virus has had on our lives. I was just talking with a family member and friends last week and said, "I've got to tell you, this virus isn’t helping me with the process of grieving the loss of my brother....and now my father is gone."

PRETTY BOY FLOYD was to embark on the 30th Anniversary tour for Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz. During this pandemic crisis of course, all of my shows have been canceled. My wife was laid off and is not receiving unemployment benefits as of yet.

In addition to taking care of myself and my wife’s well-being and sanity, I am doing the best I can to handle all of the necessary responsibilities. During this wave of tragedies, those responsibilities started with flying my brother's body back to the States for a proper burial.

At this time we really need your help to cover numerous costs including funeral and past medical expenses. The list goes on and on. We are doing our best but at this time I will put my pride aside and really ask for help. Please do what you can. Anything helps at this time. Also, please share the GoFundMe page link. We really would like to thank everyone in advance for taking the time to read my story.

God bless.

Steve Summers."