I'm actually a distant cousin of Jerry's and really only hung out with him when I was very young, but I remember our families spending the holidays together and I always admired him for the fact that even though I was a couple years younger, he always treated me with respect and I wasn't surprised to hear later in life he had become such a success in music. I still remember being in Jerry's room and seeing all the KISS posters which blew me away at the time. I wish we would've stayed in touch but I know now he's in a better place. RIP Jerry.

I knew Jerry, well, before everyone else did.

Jerry was just a punk kid out of Camarillo (adjacent town in Ventura County). He grew up like the rest of us – loving music, dressing up as KISS, and getting involved in the early punk scene. Our bands crossed paths in the early years (his band Wonderbug was a blast), and he always seemed to be around.

I remember Jerry going off to recording school. that's why we hired him to do one of our demo tapes. he eventually got his “producing debut” on our album,
“Big Rusty Balls” (Dr. Strange Records).

During those years that we worked on the demo, and eventually the album, Jerry and I were inseparable. I can't count the numerous road trips, dinners, and just plain music conversations that Jerry and I had. He was a musical inspiration, and a great friend. I had lost touch with him during his more successful years as a producer (the years after I had left Ill Repute) – but I always remembered the great fun we had, and I always wanted to get back in touch with him. My favorite quote from Jerry, after we saw this horrible band in L.A., “I can't believe I wasted my hearing on them!”.

He was a great guy – and although I've always missed him, I guess all I can do now is pray that I will see him again some day.

Carl Valdez