Marilyn Manson bassist Juan Alderete’s wife raising funds for recovery
As reported, the bassist icon Juan Alderete was in a very serious bicycle accident near his home on Jan. 13. Alderete’s wife Anne took to social media to update fans, sharing the accident wasn’t caused by other cars or people. She states they’re currently waiting to see the outcome and “[hoping] for the best.” Now, a GoFundMe has been launched for Alderete and Marilyn Manson is asking for help.
Alderete suffered serious head trauma known as Traumatic Brain Injury. His specific type of TBI is Diffuse Axonal Injury, and he and has since fallen into a coma.
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Eleven days after his accident, Alderette’s wife Anne shared the news on Facebook.
Hi everyone – this is Anne, Juan’s wife. While I generally hesitate to share personal details on social media, it felt right to include all of you who’ve supported Juan over the years as friends, fans, fellow music (and food, cat, bike, Japan) lovers and musicians.
Juan was in a solo (no cars, other people) and very serious bicycle accident on 1/13/20 not far from our home. He – as always – was wearing a helmet and protective clothing but sustained serious head trauma in the form of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); his form of TBI is Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) and as of today, he remains in a coma.
The only prognosis is to wait and see, as the brain is a complicated organ and the outcomes for DAI patients has a range as wide as the sea. While frustrating, it also allows for a world of positive outcomes so we can only hope for the best.
We know you have questions, concerns, thoughts to share, so please feel free to leave them in the comments (not DM please, sorry) here. We’re also very eager to hear from neurologists, medical professionals with experience in DAI and TBI, first-person accounts of similar trauma and outcomes – essentially any useful, factual and accurate resources that relate to Juan’s injury. If you have any of these, please DM me (Anne) @tunatoast.
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We will post updates here from time to time. Thank you all and please keep Juan in your thoughts. – xo, Anne
Now, a GoFundMe has been set up with a goal of $250,000. Marilyn Manson posted it on his Instagram as a way to gain publicity for his friend and bandmate.
My friend and band mate, Juan, needs our help. And our energy. Please give whenever you can. Thank you.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8IWefzAFaS/
The money being raised in the GoFundMe will go to towards a number of things to help Alderete recover. In the description of the fundraiser, Anne discusses what the money will go to.
[…]passionate medical professionals who are experts on TBI patients and their potential for recovery. Physical, occupational and cognitive therapies are just some of what we’ll need to pay for in the coming weeks and months. In-patient care and therapy, special medical equipment and assistance are other expenses we anticipate in the longer term. And while we help Juan focus on recovering, he will not be able to work but of course the goal is to get him back to playing music, and talking pedals on Pedals and Effects with his partner in crime, Nick. Because the world needs Juan on bass just as much as Juan needs to play bass.
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You can read the full description of the fundraiser below.
Juan Alderete – beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, bandmate and cat dad – has had the privilege of connecting with music lovers around the world through his remarkable talent as the bassist in Marilyn Manson, The Mars Volta, Big Sir, Deltron 3030, Dr. Octagon, Vato Negro, Halo Orbit and Racer X in addition to lending his bass lines to music by Lil Peep, Jonwayne, Juliette Lewis, B’z and many more. On January 13, 2020, Juan was involved in a bicycle accident that—despite wearing a helmet and protective gear—left him with a serious type of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) known as Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI). He also suffered a fractured clavicle and spinal fracture.
And as many of you fellow musicians and artists understand, there is no paid time off or sick time for this type of work. The journey Juan and his family are about to embark on is a marathon, not a sprint; it is a long road and we want to be able to tap some of the best and most passionate medical professionals who are experts on TBI patients and their potential for recovery. Physical, occupational and cognitive therapies are just some of what we’ll need to pay for in the coming weeks and months.
In-patient care and therapy, special medical equipment and assistance are other expenses we anticipate in the longer term. And while we help Juan focus on recovering, he will not be able to work but of course the goal is to get him back to playing music, and talking pedals on Pedals and Effects with his partner in crime, Nick. Because the world needs Juan on bass just as much as Juan needs to play bass.
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More about Diffuse Axonal Injury
Neurologists have a saying, “Once you’ve seen one DAI patient, you’ve seen one DAI patient,” which means there aren’t any two cases that are alike and the outcomes vary to the point where doctors are hesitant to offer an exact prognosis. Which means we’re ready to take on the challenge and offer Juan every opportunity for him and his brain to heal. And we need your help.
While the outcome is uncertain, Juan’s family, friends and fellow musicians all agree that we must spend the better part of the next year offering him every single opportunity and resource we can so he can beat this and come back stronger than ever. We have to advocate for him and be proactive with his care and treatments because – if you’ve ever had a prolonged experience in the healthcare system in the U.S. – you’ve experienced the lack of initiative that is so prevalent. If we want Juan to have the best chance at recovery, we have to draft that plan and get the resources ourselves.
We hope you’ll be part of his road to recovery – any small donation helps, and we will post regular updates here and on his social channels so you’re able to follow his progress.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Alderete has a vast discography over decades of playing bass. Racer X, the Scream, DC-10, Distortion Felix, Big Sir, Halo Orbit, Omar Rodríguez-López and more are among his credits.
In 2003, the musician joined the Mars Volta after a string of temporary bassists filling in—including the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea who recorded on De-Loused In The Comatorium. Alderete appeared on the band’s Live EP that same year, continuing with them through their final album Noctourniquet in 2012. Frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala later confirmed the band’s breakup in early 2013.
Alderete continued to remain active, joining Lil Peep in the studio to work on the late rapper’s 2017 debut Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 1. It marked the only album Peep released before passing away in Nov. 2017. The genre-blending isn’t uncommon for Alderete who also joined H.R. from Bad Brains on “bad brain [interlude]” for Vic Mena’s punk project 93PUNX self-titled debut in 2019.
At the end of 2017, Alderete began playing alongside Manson. His first performance was at his Ozzfest Meets Knotfest set in San Bernardino, California Nov. 5, which marked the first since Manson fired band member Jeordie “Twiggy Ramirez” White.
While their next run kicks off this summer alongside Ozzy Osbourne, the bassist most recently played with Manson at Travis Scott’s ASTROWORLD Festival in Nov. 2019.
Our thoughts are with Alderete and his family at this difficult time.
For more information regarding Alderette and to donate to his recovery, please visit this page.
