I just got the sad news that Lou Appel, my drummer from the Out Of The Blue Tour died in his sleep last night – cause unknown.
I’ve run into him in the past few years and he was the same nice, down to earth, true NY guy I’d always known.
I have many memories of him from my touring days, my fave being the time my Mama found him crying in a locker cuz the other guys were being “mean” to him! It showed he was a big sensitive teddy bear of a guy.
The other was when he tried to sneak his boxers into the tour laundry and my little sister Denise, who was only 13 at the time, held them up and said “WHOSE are these?!?”. We all got a laugh!!!
But, on a serious note, to know someone who was so a part of my formative years in my career has gone too soon is incredibly saddening….
If you have any pix or memories you’d like to share, please do so.
My heart goes out to his family and all his close friends!
that’s so sad 🙁 I watched the OOTB tour tape so much, I remember him well. May he rest in peace and may his family be guided with all the love and the strength they’ll need during this time of grief and eventual healing……
This is a very sad thing to hear. I remember him when I went to see Deb perform during her Out of the Blue Tour back in 1988. I was hopeful that he and Deb would someday get back together on a future album. I remember he was also in the Out of the Blue video.
Very well said, he will be surely missed. We are heartbroken and in shock and the outreach of love is not surprising to me at all. I love the picture of him you have on here. Thank you!
I just wanted to extend my sincere sympathy to Louie’s family. He was a wondeerful young man…….a bit mischevious but in a fun way. I was the “den mother” of the Out Of The Blue Tour and Lou certainly added some fun and spirit to the tour. He was just a gentle young man and we all loved him. We will miss him…..All of us on tour had our own fun memories…I’m sure there are some I don’t know about 🙂 I am sure our other band members , singers, and dancers will miss him also.
Lou was an incredible person and muscian. Lately, he was touring with John Eddie, a New Jersey Singer/Songwriter. Lou was the life of the party wherever they played. He had a big heart that was filled with joy and laughter. The last time I saw Lou, he was giving out rice crispy treats to people at Coffee Works, a small place they played occasionally. He will be truly missed. RIP, Big Guy.
Thanks Deb,
I knew Louie since 6th grade West Babylon jr.hi.Last time I talked to him he hadn’t changed a bit since those days.He will be missed.In hi school he came over to my house and on his car he had a fake license plate 10 day extension taped to his windshield.It was there for 1 year.Rip buddy.
So saddened by the news of Louies passing today. I remember the days when he was not touring and use to spend his 9-5 working with the rest of us daytime controllers and night time rock and rollers, at a company called ACE AV. Louies laugh was infectious and he was always playing pranks or stirring up some controversy to keep it interesting. Though it has been a long time since our paths crossed he’s smile and tireless rhthm will live with me forever. blessed to have known Louie.
In September 2007, a friend and I went to Las Vegas to see John Eddie and his band play at Toby Keith’s. It was our first trip to Vegas following the band. I knew of Louie from his days with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and had just started following JE. We ran into Louie in the business center at Harrahs. He proceeded to regale us with tales of his days touring with Debbie and proudly pulled up all the old videos to show us.
He played with John for the last few years as I was house drummer at Toby Keiths in Las Vegas (Still perform there weekly)
I knew him and we spoke occassionaly when he came in to see us play. I did some songs with you Deb when you came out here last year at Carnival court.
Always sad to lose a fellow friend & musician – RIP Lou.
When I first started to gig with bands in New York in 1979, I met a fellow drummer at the Right Track Inn. He was playing with another good friend who has also passed Lee Tobia. He traeted me like a little brother, gave me good advice and watched my back. We played many times together over the years. He was truly a great person and a monster on the drums. He will be missed greatly. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. I am honored to have known him. Peace my brother
When I read that Lou died on your site, I was stunned, to say the least. It may be a tired saying, but in his case, it’s appropo – people like Lou Appel aren’t supposed to die this young. But then again, we all face this prospect sooner or later – our fate is in God’s hands. When He says it’s time to join Him, it’s time. God needed a drummer and it was his time…but his memory will live on through all of us and the music he played for our enjoyment. Rest in Peace, my friend. You will be missed.
I met Lou in Chicago playing for John Eddie. I would meet friends at Joes everytime they came into town. Lou was very sweet! (if I knew how to send pictures, I’d send you one of us) He told me how he played for you on tour. I was part of your fan club and remembered him. I told him how I met you in Indiana and we talk about you during his whole break the first time we met. He was a wonderful, talented drummer! My friend, Yoli, lives in Chicago and was very close to Lou. She is having a hard time. Lou will be greatly missed!
Having known Tommy, Kirk and Louie for many years, it was Lou and I who became the closest over the last decade or so. A great guy who left a lasting impression wherever he went with the gift of laughter and making people laugh whether they wanted to or not. He took a lot of good natured ribbing from his contemporaries in the industry pertaining ti the “Out of the Blue” years, but he was always proud of that time and never forgot his roots. Please feel free to visit my website to learn more and read what I hope is a fitting tribute to a friend I jokingly called my “lil’ brother” and someone who will forever be missed. mortmaz dot blogspot dot com
I played the “Out of the Blue” concert video (VHS) until it literally wore out. He sounds like a great guy, who loved playing the drums and having fun. Read Tom’s (aka Morty) bog post if you want a real insight into Lou. Highly recommended.
I heart goes out to Deborah and Lou’s family and friends.
Rest in Peace Lou.
Loui was a monster drummer with a great ear for what sounded good in the song, like a lot of great ones, it was as much what he did not play, that made it sound great. Lou you will be missed. RIP
Awww maaaaaan. I logged onto Debbie Gibson’s site to see what she’s been up to and one of the VERY FIRST things I remember is Loui and his drumset from the OOTB tour that I saw over and over again on VHS. I STILL HAVE IT!! 😉 He seemed to be one of the 1st EVER drummers to have white powder-coated hardware on the white drums he was using on that tour…and RIMS MOUNTS!! 😉
I have and always will have a crush on Deborah Gibson. After school I came home and played to the OOTB and Electric Youth albums because I so enjoyed…AND STILL DO…enjoy emulating the drum programming of some of those songs. Lou Appel was a HUGE inspiration to me for YEARS !!!! He did SUCH an AMMAAAAZING job on the tour and the VHS concert was incredible!! ENERGY UP !!!!
Ms. Deborah…if you EVER come to Nashville I’d be honored to perform a songs or two with you!! 😉 I’m a Nashvegas drummer/percussionist and thankfully…wth the love and support of family…do this professionally. Props 2 U for still doing what you do…and acknowledging those who backed you/supported you on the road in years passed!
Shocked to hear about Louie’s passing. As you said, he was big pussycat. Just found out this weekend from Gary Setzer about Lee Tobia’s passing. That one SHOCKED me as he and I were very close back in the Roustabouts days. Hope they’re ripping it up gigging in Heaven with Buds all around. Rest in peace, friends.
=( So sad. I loved watching Lou. He was such an energetic drummer. He always looked like he was having so much fun!
that’s so sad 🙁 I watched the OOTB tour tape so much, I remember him well. May he rest in peace and may his family be guided with all the love and the strength they’ll need during this time of grief and eventual healing……
R.I.P. He will be missed. All condolences to his family, friends, and people he worked with.
This is a very sad thing to hear. I remember him when I went to see Deb perform during her Out of the Blue Tour back in 1988. I was hopeful that he and Deb would someday get back together on a future album. I remember he was also in the Out of the Blue video.
Very well said, he will be surely missed. We are heartbroken and in shock and the outreach of love is not surprising to me at all. I love the picture of him you have on here. Thank you!
TOO GOOD TO BE FORGOTTEN,ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG.
Heaven will probably be just a little louder now…. God Bless….
~Bets
RIP Lou 🙁
What Deb wrote about him was very touching.
They say a true measure of a person after they have sadly gone is what people say about them.
Thank You For Keeping The Out Of Blue Drum Beat For The Fans Live On Tour!
So sorry to hear about this. At least he got to be a part of something amazing. RIP!
I just wanted to extend my sincere sympathy to Louie’s family. He was a wondeerful young man…….a bit mischevious but in a fun way. I was the “den mother” of the Out Of The Blue Tour and Lou certainly added some fun and spirit to the tour. He was just a gentle young man and we all loved him. We will miss him…..All of us on tour had our own fun memories…I’m sure there are some I don’t know about 🙂 I am sure our other band members , singers, and dancers will miss him also.
God Bless,
Diane “Mama Di”
Lou was an incredible person and muscian. Lately, he was touring with John Eddie, a New Jersey Singer/Songwriter. Lou was the life of the party wherever they played. He had a big heart that was filled with joy and laughter. The last time I saw Lou, he was giving out rice crispy treats to people at Coffee Works, a small place they played occasionally. He will be truly missed. RIP, Big Guy.
Thanks Deb,
I knew Louie since 6th grade West Babylon jr.hi.Last time I talked to him he hadn’t changed a bit since those days.He will be missed.In hi school he came over to my house and on his car he had a fake license plate 10 day extension taped to his windshield.It was there for 1 year.Rip buddy.
So saddened by the news of Louies passing today. I remember the days when he was not touring and use to spend his 9-5 working with the rest of us daytime controllers and night time rock and rollers, at a company called ACE AV. Louies laugh was infectious and he was always playing pranks or stirring up some controversy to keep it interesting. Though it has been a long time since our paths crossed he’s smile and tireless rhthm will live with me forever. blessed to have known Louie.
RIP louie
R.I.P LOU
In September 2007, a friend and I went to Las Vegas to see John Eddie and his band play at Toby Keith’s. It was our first trip to Vegas following the band. I knew of Louie from his days with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and had just started following JE. We ran into Louie in the business center at Harrahs. He proceeded to regale us with tales of his days touring with Debbie and proudly pulled up all the old videos to show us.
He played with John for the last few years as I was house drummer at Toby Keiths in Las Vegas (Still perform there weekly)
I knew him and we spoke occassionaly when he came in to see us play. I did some songs with you Deb when you came out here last year at Carnival court.
Always sad to lose a fellow friend & musician – RIP Lou.
Rest In Peace Louie! It was fun gigging with you.
Kirk
When I first started to gig with bands in New York in 1979, I met a fellow drummer at the Right Track Inn. He was playing with another good friend who has also passed Lee Tobia. He traeted me like a little brother, gave me good advice and watched my back. We played many times together over the years. He was truly a great person and a monster on the drums. He will be missed greatly. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. I am honored to have known him. Peace my brother
Deborah:
When I read that Lou died on your site, I was stunned, to say the least. It may be a tired saying, but in his case, it’s appropo – people like Lou Appel aren’t supposed to die this young. But then again, we all face this prospect sooner or later – our fate is in God’s hands. When He says it’s time to join Him, it’s time. God needed a drummer and it was his time…but his memory will live on through all of us and the music he played for our enjoyment. Rest in Peace, my friend. You will be missed.
Deborah –
I met Lou in Chicago playing for John Eddie. I would meet friends at Joes everytime they came into town. Lou was very sweet! (if I knew how to send pictures, I’d send you one of us) He told me how he played for you on tour. I was part of your fan club and remembered him. I told him how I met you in Indiana and we talk about you during his whole break the first time we met. He was a wonderful, talented drummer! My friend, Yoli, lives in Chicago and was very close to Lou. She is having a hard time. Lou will be greatly missed!
Having known Tommy, Kirk and Louie for many years, it was Lou and I who became the closest over the last decade or so. A great guy who left a lasting impression wherever he went with the gift of laughter and making people laugh whether they wanted to or not. He took a lot of good natured ribbing from his contemporaries in the industry pertaining ti the “Out of the Blue” years, but he was always proud of that time and never forgot his roots. Please feel free to visit my website to learn more and read what I hope is a fitting tribute to a friend I jokingly called my “lil’ brother” and someone who will forever be missed. mortmaz dot blogspot dot com
I played the “Out of the Blue” concert video (VHS) until it literally wore out. He sounds like a great guy, who loved playing the drums and having fun. Read Tom’s (aka Morty) bog post if you want a real insight into Lou. Highly recommended.
I heart goes out to Deborah and Lou’s family and friends.
Rest in Peace Lou.
Rest In Peace Lou. Warm regards to your family and loved ones.
Debbie Gibson And The Victims of Sarcasm will miss you dearly!
Oh the Victims Of Sarcasm… I have not heard that in years.. wow.. Thank you for the Memory.
Kirk
Loui was a monster drummer with a great ear for what sounded good in the song, like a lot of great ones, it was as much what he did not play, that made it sound great. Lou you will be missed. RIP
R.I.P UNCLE LOUI LOVE ALWAYS LISA
Awww maaaaaan. I logged onto Debbie Gibson’s site to see what she’s been up to and one of the VERY FIRST things I remember is Loui and his drumset from the OOTB tour that I saw over and over again on VHS. I STILL HAVE IT!! 😉 He seemed to be one of the 1st EVER drummers to have white powder-coated hardware on the white drums he was using on that tour…and RIMS MOUNTS!! 😉
I have and always will have a crush on Deborah Gibson. After school I came home and played to the OOTB and Electric Youth albums because I so enjoyed…AND STILL DO…enjoy emulating the drum programming of some of those songs. Lou Appel was a HUGE inspiration to me for YEARS !!!! He did SUCH an AMMAAAAZING job on the tour and the VHS concert was incredible!! ENERGY UP !!!!
Ms. Deborah…if you EVER come to Nashville I’d be honored to perform a songs or two with you!! 😉 I’m a Nashvegas drummer/percussionist and thankfully…wth the love and support of family…do this professionally. Props 2 U for still doing what you do…and acknowledging those who backed you/supported you on the road in years passed!
CHEERZ!
– Chris Beals
Shocked to hear about Louie’s passing. As you said, he was big pussycat. Just found out this weekend from Gary Setzer about Lee Tobia’s passing. That one SHOCKED me as he and I were very close back in the Roustabouts days. Hope they’re ripping it up gigging in Heaven with Buds all around. Rest in peace, friends.