Ben One of One

[@NicoleByrnes13]

This is my most amazing younger brother. He makes me so, so proud. He has endured many chemo and radiation treatments plus two transplants over the last 8 years. His first was a bone marrow transplant which enabled his recovery. Five years later, lesions in his hips were identified as Acute Myeloid Leukaemia with a very rare FLT3 and ETV6 translocation. A new inhibitor pill and an expanded cord blood transplant enabled his recovery but later, lesions were discovered in his brain. Intrathecal chemo and radiation could not prevent the cancer that he now has which is terminal AML in CNS - Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in the Central Nervous System. Yet he continues to consider himself lucky to have had all the opportunities he's had in his 48 years of life. A true inspiration - love you Ben!

[@bonsteration]

I saw Ben last month when Freddie James was performing in Brossard. Ben was up on stage drumming for a song. He had the same energy as back when I saw them perform at Bourbon Street West in the early 2000’s. At the end of the show for the last song he was up front beside Freddie. You could feel the love and friendship they have after all these years. Wishing Peace to Ben and his family 🙏🏻

[@A-L-C_ME]

Former neighbour. So lucky to have known Ben; truly One of One. When we first moved to the neighbourhood, my 2.5 yr old son used to sneak over (there wasn’t a fence at the time) and watch Ben play drums in his studio through the basement window. Ben was such an interesting, talented, beautiful human. ❤❤

[@EndangeredStories]

Thank you for sharing that.

[@victorlevy635]

I had seen Ben play on video with Freddie (I play ball hockey with Freddie) - when I organized a Guitarmania festival, I was thrilled to find Ben setting up his drums for John Patelis that night and was BLOWN away by the power, feel and urgency in his drumming. And the smile. The JOY. The pure unadulterated LOVE in what he was doing was uplifting. Such an amazing drummer and an even better person.

[@JasonFrey-tr3ys]

That was great! Tough to get through, but really worth it.

[@marlenemars]

You dont know me but I've seen you play many times. You are amazing. I'm blown away by this video and yes I cried. My daughter was a nurse at palative in Pointe Claire. Now she's ER at Lakeshore. Really wish she was there to take care of you. You have touched many. You have had an amazing life. You are one of the lucky ones. Bless you and your family.

[@zumbalanzarote]

Beautiful brave soul 💜 Sharing this will help so many people.

[@gigglesharmie]

Only knew him peripherally, but Brenda Walsh was an influence in my musical journey too, that's amazing. Very sorry to hear of his passing.

[@GeorgesElchakieh]

Hey Ben, Sending you strength and peace during this time, your courage is inspiring and puts everything in prospective for all of us.

[@Breadking100]

Wow what a special guy, thanks for sharing his story. When my time comes I can only hope to have half the grace this guy has. Life is the ultimate jackpot, and this seems like a life well lived. Congratulations on your great journey.

[@kidmercury1111]

Hey Ben, Kid Mercury here, aka Harvey Richard S, Olivier's Dad. I don't know your family, but I can only imagine they are beautiful souls.. Just like you. Any time I had the pleasure of playing my Harmonica with you, Derek and Manu.. I felt so damn happy.. Watching you perform magic on those drums, even though I was the retired Magician. You are LOVE, PURE LOVE, Ben.. and I have so much I want to say, yet.. I'll just say I Love you and thank you for touching so many of us with your always Ben Wisdom.. Your kindness, your music and your truth. Blessings! Baraka Bashad, May the blessings be. 🙏💕💙Peace and Love to you forever, Angel Ben ✨

[@cynthiabolanis255]

I first met Ben when he was friends with my eldest son. Breaks my heart watching this video. I am sure he has touched many people in his life. Bless you Ben

[@nickiefournier5734]

I meet Ben at John Rennie High School. Brenda Walsh gave him the love she had for music and what it can do for people. I was blessed to be able to welcome him in my house and my life. Later, I would see him around Pointe Claire or at a show somewhere, always a smile, and always a trooper. He has survived other cancers but this one is tenacious. Love you Ben.

[@orionedwin]

What a beautiful video and what a joy to read the comments. Ben, it is obvious you are well and truly loved. We only crossed paths once when we did a Canada Day gig in the West Island in the early 90s, but I still remember your positive energy from that show. I understand you are reading these comments, so all I want to say is: Well done. Have a happy heart. Big hugs.

[@moustaphahoteit2672]

Ben was my drum teacher and an amazing one at that. He was chill, informative, and incredibly talented. My lessons with him were always a great time. It's truly unfortunate what he's going through. This video is amazing and I appreciate you doing this for him. You're the man, Ben 🤟🥁

[@martymcflytw]

Ben was my drum teacher in ‘95~’96 while i was also in Ms Walsh’s music class at JRHS. I remember everything he taught me to this day. I also remember Ben bailing me out of a crap set i was having during a gig at an elementary school. Thanks Ben.

[@EndangeredStories]

That was my grad year. He came back to the school to teach?

[@nikitabyrnes4489]

Thank you for producing this video. We love you, Uncle Ben! All the way from Aus.

[@lisadeschamps3653]

Jason, thank you. this was so heartfelt and i am sitting here in a puddle. Ben is most definitely one of one. Wishing his family peace at this time.

[@larryhughes6917]

Hi Ben,I am an old musician from Montreal.We have never met but I played drums for many years, also. You are an amazing human being,god bless.

[@supersmashbbproducer]

Ben...man I don't cry often but this one was a tear jerker for sure, and if you are reading this Ben and you're confused its Freddie's son. I have had the opportunity to watch you up close. Though at that time I wasn't ready to be on stage watching you on stage was always a pleasure to watch and too see how much energy you put in your performance. Your passion your character is truly and I mean truly one in a million scratch that billion. To barely know you but also know you so well is strange to me. I remember coming to your house when I was a kid playing video games with your son. From our last time that we met at the Poutinefest in Brossard. To finally have the opportunity to share the stage with such a talented musician I wish I could replay that day over and over again. I will carry that energy that is so hard to replicate into every performance I do. Because I know behind me is a drummer who can somehow rock his head back and forth for the whole gig and hit every beat. I'm gonna miss you Ben

[@dJs18eREEcBPGO3HWH8p]

Jason, my friend, you honour our Ben beautifully in this interview of an amazing man. To first meet Ben, like I did back in 2016, was to meet a bundle of energy. I thank Freddie James for this. He hired me to take photos of his band, and it was one of the most entertaining and pleasant photo shoots I had ever done, and when you have a drummer like Ben, you know you're going to get some superb shots -- and I did. But better than that, I got to meet him. Thank you, Ben, for your words and your thoughts in this interview -- and Jason, thank you for being there, for capturing these moments.

[@amiramozig7073]

This is what I wrote on Facebook when I shared the "Ben One of One" video: In almost ten years of music blogging for the local scene, if I am asked who I consider to be the greatest drummers, without a moment's hesitation I will always include Ben Vezina in my top 5. You may ask "what gives me the authority to rank musicians when I am not a musician myself?". The answer is when music is so fundamental to your existence then you can draw such a conclusion when you know how that person's drumming resonates with your soul. Drumming is the solid foundation of the rhythm section, the heart of any amazing band. I have had the privilege of seeing Ben behind the kit with so many bands: Freddie James (he had a tenure of 16 years with FJ) , countless gigs alongside Alec McElcheran/Alan Springer, so many gigs with The Hi-Fins, and saw him as a hired gun with many others (trust me, I have the pictures to prove it). And despite all this extensive exposure, there is much of Ben that I unfortunately didn't experience first hand. How I would have loved to see Ben in the 90's in Memphis Soul Stew alongside Sara Latendresse and Andy Chuck Dacoulis. But despite what I didn't see, the gigs that I did see with Ben represent the ultimate badge of honour as a music fanatic and scholar. I knew for years that Ben has been severely struggling with his health, but to respect his wishes I never said a word about it. Even with this knowledge, when you witnessed, even very recently, how monumental his drumming is, you would have never ever suspected that he was privately going through these personal wars. But now Ben has documented his life and the critical phase of his personal wars right now in this brand new video just released. It is a duty for anybody that loves our local scene to watch the whole 25 minutes and to document on social media how much we love Ben. Ben, there are no words to describe your unwavering resilience and dedication that brought you to the present moment. I am in your corner 100% and wish you only the very best that is possible that current circumstances will permit. Every time I saw you play, these are my trophies as a music blogger.

[@leannechandler6404]

Ben this interview is so heartfelt and full of love. I met you 23 years ago and have many fond memories of our conversations. You always made me smile and you always have a positive outlook I loved hearing that your life has been fulfilling. You have touched a lot of lives in your 48 years and reading all the love and support on here is a testament to a life lived well. I am so happy I had a chance to see you in May and get a big hug from you and give you one in return. Sending you love

[@chrissym1296]

Ben…glad to have met you through this video. So glad you have had such a full life. Thanks for making this stage less scary for the rest of us. See you on the other side.

[@TheVinylLoungeMtl]

Oh man, this was “One of One” I’ll leave it at that 🙏🏼♥️

[@annepertus255]

Very touching interview, real and thought provoking...do what you love and do it your way. Wishing Ben (I do not know him) happy and pain free end of days.

[@debrakralka3848]

Ben, you suggest at the beginning of the interview to provide good advice to people who need it at that time. I think that this whole video is full of advice gems that I needed and will carry and treasure forever. Thank you deeply. I will especially try to adopt getting as much nectar out of life as I can, and to not “listen to any f*&in person ever” and do my own thing. The second one will be harder for me but oooh, it sounds so freeing. ❤

[@EssamHadi-h8u]

Man I love you. Known you since 1995 car mechanic school and following you and watching you play for tribal groove/Freddie James. Best human being I have ever known, that I cherish very much.

[@Cleverogue]

Holy fucking crap! A friend tipped me off about this, but I didn’t believe that it was true Wtf Buddy? I’m so sorry to hear about this As a fellow “smasher of objects for a living”, I’m truly saddened to hear that such an esteemed, and legendary member of our local Muso community is facing such serious health issues Hands down, one of the nicest guys on the scene, and a “one of kind”stage presence Having moved across the pond twenty years back, I had no idea about any of this, and, although it’s truly shocking news, I’m so proud of the way he’s handling it I last saw Ben a few years back at an Alec Mc gig, and I asked him for his advice concerning the potential benefits of constructing a snare from a single piece of wood As always, he couldn’t have been nicer, or more well informed, and he patiently took the time to point me in the right direction A true gentleman, a class act, and a wicked drummer I’ll be back home again this summer, from the latest leg of my tri-annual swing through town, and I’d love to cross paths while I’m there I’ll ask Alec how he’s doing when I arrive to see if he’s up to it Fucking hell, Dude! This is truly upsetting news, but if there ever was a guy that could bend reality with his indomitable spirit and unique energy… it’s that “neck breaking” maniac, who friggin’ owned the backbeat Love, luck, positive vibes, and massive respect from Casablanca KJ PS Huge props to the guy who put this together

[@brianwalsh6666]

Ben, i learned a great deal this evening from you about living, about attentiveness to one’s deepest yearnings, about the importance of teaching and helping others - because you can and therefore you should. Kudos to that teacher who fed your young fire and trusted in you to do things beyond yourself. There is so much hindrance - the opposite of helping - in our world of economics, habitation… but you sought to free yourself from money and conventions as you beat a musical and creative mechanical trail through life - the road less travelled to be sure. Our bodies have a distinctive and likely unique beat that is our own. I’ve appreciated learning a bit about your beat and its significance. I wish you the peace and freedom that you have always sought. With profound appreciation to you Ben, Brian

[@deepmusic-sjfsrmusicdepart7837]

To be at peace and so strong at such a young age says a lot. Indeed, you have lived a charmed life. You followed your heart and did what you love. You inspired so many and have made a positive and lasting impact on the world. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I appreciate you so much!

[@MaryScott-f1p]

Amazing video on an incredible man. What a storied life for such a young guy. Jason I’m thankful you are such a visionary and insightful person. This is beautifully done

[@claudiasimpson3516]

Thank you for sharing your story..breathe deep, and much love.

[@thespacewizards7966]

Hey Ben, I hear they're reading you comments. This is Will from The Space Wizards, we met awhile ago, briefly. It's inspiring and reassuring to hear how 'no rules/no holds barred' your life has been. Much in the same way, I got rejected from Vanier at 18, was in an Electronics Engineering Tech program for all of two semesters and went and got a vocational degree for basically being a "computer mechanic" (IT). Its been a wild ride and I'm thankful that at some point we crossed paths and I got to hear you play. All the best, Ben. Sending you strength and peace of mind.

[@PaulMcDude]

Rest easy Ben, we'll see you on the Flip Side.

[@susanpratt5629]

It’s fun hearing your story. I had a similar feeling: I thought music had to remain as a side-hobby. I didn’t know one could really pursue it as a career, until later when I kept finding myself among musicians and singing. My path has been primarily through the church world, but I eventually went to university, majored in music, and I’ve had such fun opportunities to sing in different contexts, on different stages, in different countries and languages, starting in gospel music, getting into jazz, doing worship music on the regular, and lately a bit of Mizrahi… but I’m also a vocal teacher, and I find it extremely rewarding to help people develop their voices. A lot of doing music is getting past your personal fears, and I love seeing when people break through that performance anxiety and can really sing from their heart and be free to express themselves. I love it. I wasn’t so lucky as a young kid: I wanted to do drums too, but because too many kids wanted to do drums, my school band teacher put me on the flute, which is hardly a rhythmic instrument, and I definitely lost interest after a few years, and it took me away from music for quite a while. But still my favorite instrument is drums, and I definitely get the most joy when I’m in a band with a good drummer. But I’m not too discouraged… vocals are also a strength of mine, and I’ll probably take some drum lessons eventually. I just find it so cool and interesting to see a relative with the same passion (my cousin!). ☺️ wish we’d known each other better.

[@Redpointfpv]

Ben, I’m honored to be your cousin -VMiller

[@TamaraLorincz-or5ep]

🙏🏽❤️

[@Patmachin]

I am pretty sure I taught his sister? Says Machin reaching into the past!