Joseph Lana
November 13, 1962 - February 7, 2019

"To Joe's Family We are sending our heartfelt sympathy and prayers in this difficult time. Joe will be truly missed and he will never be forgotten. Their are so many memories that we will always treasure. We are heartbroken. We hope that you find peace and comfort knowing that Joe was truly a legend here in Rochester and everyone that knew him, loved him!! Marie, Joe, Cara and Gianna Cutaia"

"My condolences to the family,so sorry to hear this sad news.Joe played in our wedding and was phenomenal.He will be missed !"

"Many memories I have of Joe and the Lana family. My heart, thoughts & prayers are with all the family at this time."

"To the Lana family, I am truly sorry for your loss. Joe loved music, was a great musician and a great person. In all the years I knew him, I never saw him get upset about anything. Joe was a great friend. I saw his band play live at Webster Avenue Park in 1979, English Village, 18th birthday party, bars, other parties, etc. I was also in a band with him during 1982-1983. I always knew Joe was the best drummer in Rochester. He never had to practice he was that good! Here are a few stories I wanted to share. Back in July 1981, Judas Priest was touring with Whitesnake and Iron Maiden, but the show sold out in Rochester. Joe came up with a great idea and we drove to Buffalo praying to get tickets to see the bands there. When we arrived, the ticket attendant said the Priest show is sold out, but she has tickets to see Heart. Joe said he did not want to see Heart and told her a story about we are big fans and had drove all the way from Rochester just to buy tickets, etc. After a few minutes of listening to him, the attendant ended up selling us their sixth row seats right up front! On July 17, 1981 we attended the show at the Buffalo Shea Theatre and had a great time. The next night we went downtown to the Rochester Auditorium Theatre hoping to see the show. Joe got us in to the concert, we met all our friends there and had a great time. We ended up seeing the bands twice within 24 hours! I remember laughing with Joe as he was analyzing Judas Priest's performance between the Buffalo and Rochester shows. Good Times! Also, once during a blizzard in 1982, Dave D'Angelico called and asked us to be roadies for one night for his band. Dave's band was playing a gig near the Penny Arcade at Charlotte Beach. The weather was brutal, snowing, icy conditions, and people were not supposed to be on the road but Joe said let's go! We met the band at the bar, set all the equipment up and worked for free. We had a blast! The night was very successful with a big crowd turnout and Dave treated us to Nick Tahou's for a famous garbage plate at 3:00 AM. Unreal! Lastly, Joe mentioned to me this story about when he was younger he took a Greyhound bus all the way to California to visit someone. He said that during the long bus ride from New York to California, this person kept playing a Led Zeppelin song Going to California over and over again. When Joe was back home in Rochester, whenever that song played on the radio he reminded me about his famous bus ride! Joe you are gone but not forgotten... Rest in Peace brother. "

"I am so sorry he was amazing guy he was a amazing drummer and I loved that rest in peace now kiss kiss xoxo xoxo"

"Obviously Joe was an unbelievable talent!! But what impressed me the most in all the years I knew him he never boasted once about it. He was very humble, very friendly, very engaging. I loved being around him and he loved just hanging around doing whatever. I will miss his laugh and whenever I saw him he would introduce me...."Mr. SANDS"!!! I will never forget him and will miss him! My prayers are with the family. Joe Jr and Jenn whenever your Dad & I were together you guys were always the conversation. Your Dad loved talking about you and always wanted the best for you. "

"Nothing but love. Great loss of truly great soul. Never forgotten. "

"Although Joseph was my cousin I sadly never got to know him. It sounds like I've missed the opportunity to know someone very special. I do however have fond memoriies of Sam, John and Debbie. My deepest condoences goes out to them and the rest of the family. I lost my brother a few years ago and know the pain and heartbreak you are all going through. Just know that with support of friends, family and prayers things will eventually get better, not OK just better. God be with you all and rest in peace Joseph."

"We(Gina and I) met Joe at Bathtub Billy's on several occasions when he was playing. Gina is filipina and Joe could speak Tagalog fluently. We enjoyed his company and were honored to see him play. His music was his inspiration. We can't express in words the profound loss of a good man who was full of life. He will be missed. Antonio Caia & Gina Leo"

"The Dash by Linda Ellis I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning... to the end. He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that, dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own, the cars... the house... the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard; are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged. To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile... remembering that this special dash might only last a little while. So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash? "

"To: My Best Friend Joe.... My life will never be the same without you in it. You were the most Loving and Caring Human Being I ever new or had in my life. I will miss our afternoon talks and laughs we had together over the phone. You made me a Better Person and Man just being in my life. If there one regret I have, is that we didn't spend more time together. I guess that how life is. You will always be on my mind and in my heart until I die and join you in Gods Kingdom. I know you will be there to Welcome Me. Life will be a struggle for me with you not here to give me the advice I need in difficult times. I could not have a better FRIEND OR PERSON to look up to through out my life. You always seem to have the answers when I needed them most. But most of all, my Children Loved You As Uncle Joe. You are my Blood Brother Forever!! I will always Love You With All My Heart and Soul. "

"I'M FREE Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I'm following the path God has laid you see. I took His hand when I heard him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way I found that peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss Oh yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and peace to thee God wanted me now; He set me free."

"Joe and I worked together as kids on Case farms on Norton Street and Pardee Road, where, while we were picking vegetables, a baby rabbit sprung up and everybody was chasing it, trying to catch it, when Joe went and grabbed a milk crate and captured it. "

"I am so very sorry to hear of this great loss. Not only was Joey a GREAT drummer, but more importantly, he was such a fantastic person. So much fun to be around. He will be missed in so many ways. "

"Jenn. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your in my prayers during this very difficult time."

"Joe was a great guy , family man & musician and we will all miss him dearly. It's hard to find the right words to say, of how saddened we are to hear of his passing. To his Family & close friends my deepest sympathy. I was lucky enough to have met Joe and knew we were buddies. We always had a smile & joke for each other. And I always enjoyed our talks.! Love you Joe, Rest In Peace Brother.! "

"We were saddened to hear of Joe's passing, and are so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in knowing that he was loved and admired by many. You and your family will be in our prayers, during this difficult time. "

"I am so sorry for your loss, so unexpected. Please accept my heartfelt condolences . "

"I first met Joe Lana in 1990 or 1991. We were both metal drummers in the 1980's but somehow our paths didn't cross then, but in 91' or so my buddy Willie Lopez left Avalon and moved back to Rochester. Willie was interested in forming a project with me but I was busy with my act at the time Justin Tyme so I didn't do it. Some months later I checked out Willie's project at their band rehearsal space on Lyell Ave. (This band also became the short lived Black Sabbath tribute band, Rat Salad)...and after hearing the band for about 30 seconds I thought to myself, "Well... Willie won't be needing me. This drummer he's got is FIRE!" That drummer was Joe Lana. We became fast friends pretty quickly. Our personalities are similar. Goofballs who LOVE drumming and playing our music. Later he went on to East Coast Connection and I to the Riff Monsters. Then he spent some time ruling the town with Uncle Plum while I went on my adventure with the Buddhahood. Through it all we stayed in touch and stayed friends and peers on the scene. When my brother passed suddenly in 2014 I stopped playing music to focus on family. When I revived the JPP in October 2017 at Three Heads Brewing the show was a success personally. Many people showed up to show support...and so did Joey Lana! He showered me with praise and encouragement and told me how much he loved what the JPP was doing and we just hung and talked and had a couple beers. We lamented the next day that we didn't get a picture together that night and promised we would next time. We just ran out of next times dammit. Gone too soon. We were supposed to be old(older) men exchanging gig stories at the old folks home. Rest in peace Joe...till we meet again. Still in shock."

"Our Love and Prayers to the Lana family, we are so saddened by Joe's passing. Many cherished memories of Joe. May he Rest In Peace "

"Well, what can i say, Joe you will be missed by sooo many lives you touched. You were an inspiration to many! You were the drummer of my 1st ever band.. saw you just a few months back when you stopped into my music store to grab some stix for an upcoming show.. gonna miss ya buddy, way to soon for this.. and such a huge loss.. RIP my friend"

"I just want to pass on a little story of what kind of an impact Joe Lana had on my life. I had first met him when he was playing with East Coast Connection. Of course, you know that he eventually played with Uncle Plum. In talking with him one day, I mentioned about the first guitar I had ever built. He offered to introduce me to Mike Gladstone so I could talk with him about it. Well, one thing led to another and Mike offered to check it out at his home studio. There, he told me he would be happy to try it out at an Uncle Plum gig to see how it handled a live setting which I felt was incredibly generous, so I brought it to Fat Moe's... When Mike plugged it in and made it sound absolutely glorious, even Elvio Fernandes and Paul Akers just looked at each other with their mouths open!! Mike went back to that guitar several times that set and afterwords told me that he didn't keep going back to it just to be nice ..."because I'm not that nice..." (which is not true. He is) He said when he switched to that back pickup especially, it was "...one step closer to God!" Thanks to that encounter which was prompted by Joe, he and Mike gave me the confidence to move forward with creating more guitars and RockBeach Guitars began! Joe, you created and influenced more than you could know... I will never forget."

"Joe's still the best. Growing up I was so happy to play with him in a lot of bands. He was so funny and just a great friend to have. He made us all better musicians because he was so great on the drums. Lou, my brother Steve, Burgio and cousin Rick M, Chuck, Pete, Tommy D, the Sheldons and the Sloans, Nick, Luigi, and the endless cast of people we jammed and hung out with. Time goes on and a lot of us move away but the memory of this special person never goes away. Still have my Iron Cross tape. Blessings for his family and I pray we all meet again in Heaven."

"My deepest sympathy's to your family. You are and will be in our thoughts and prayers. Joe was an amazing inspiration to myself and all the other musicians on my second solo release and the first DDrive album. Watching the DVD of the 3 shows we did with him is amazing.. no one else could've done what he did for those songs. My friend and former band mate LOU Gramm loved the music and band so much he did appearances at all 3 shows. We had planned a reunion with most of the original members.. sad that this can't happen now. If anyone would like copies of the DVDs let me know. I'd be honored."

"I worked with Joe and Tommy Dinolfo in the mid 1980's at Economy Paper Co. and kept in touch with both at times over the years. Both gone way too soon and I always admired Joe not just for his obvious talent but for the way he was able to make everyone feel as though he was their best buddy and pal!.. He will be missed and thought of with great fondness! You can measure a person's life and what kind of man they were by the outpouring of those who called him "friend" in which Joe had many! My deepest condolences to his family!.. R.I.P brother Joe.. "

"You were a wonderful person. You smile will be greatly missed "

"I went to school with Joe and Lou .My daughter also hung out with Joe jr and Jenn.I am so sorry for your loss our prayers are with you threw this difficult time.Joe will truly be missed. Carolyn Magliocco"

"My sincere condolences to his family and to everyone who knew him. I talked to Joe a handful of times. Usually when I went to see Me n The Boys. He always looked like he was gonna tell you a joke. One of the nicest guys I ever met. And one of Rochester's finest drummers. I'll bet God is putting together a new band. Our world is a little emptier today. But heaven is a better place. Peace to you Joseph. "

"Rest in Peace Joe. Love and blessing to your family. "

"I am so sorry for your tragic loss. I wish in my years of rocking it in Rochester I'd had the chance to know your Joe. Seeing all the musicians of Rochester on facebooks comments I know I missed so much not meeting, or having workied with him. Joe sounds like his life was with filled with love, friends, music, and laughter. I'm sure he'll be awaiting us all in heaven waiting to rock it all again at one heck of an open jam. So very sorry to your family, but mostly for the Rochester music scene. Kind, funny, talented people are rare in our world. In the music business. To see such sincere words of loss, and dismay I am sure your Joe was truly someone I would have been proud to share a stage with. Thanks to Joe, and to his family for his contributions. I'm sure his loving family shared him with great pride. "

"My heart goes out to his wife and children!!!! He is in Heaven!!! He will live in the heart and faces of his children!!!! I will keep everyone in my prayers"

"My condolences and prayers to you and your family ..Joe will be missed he was loved by many he was a wonderful person ..I have several memories with Joe we traveled and worked together musically ...Great drummer. My heart like so many is heavy with sadness. Blessings to you Joe now you're flying with the angels ..."

"My sincere condolences. I never met Joe but know he must've been a very special person if he was friends w Jennie and Shannon. I pray for peace and comfort. "

"i love you so much joe i will always forever remember you and your crazy wild happy spirit thanks for always being so good to me and being my friend that i always looked up to love you always so much!"

"You will be missed by all and never forgotten, Angel! My love to your friends and family ??"

"Prayers to the entire family on the loss of a one of a kind great guy. May you find comfort in the many wonderful memories. Deepest sympathy. "

"Dear Lana Family Chet and I send our deep heartfelt condolences to all of you We are so sorry for your sudden loss Sincerely Felice and Chet Goldberg "

"Joey was a great person. Also, he was a great drummer. I am glad I got to know him, during his short life. Always a smile on his face.So sorry for his family, and close friends.So many people I know are affected by this huge loss.Thanks for the awesome memory's. The Jam Room baby, great times. Thank-you!!! Pat Ball "

"Broseph, there are no words to describe how much you will be missed: your boisterous laugh, corny jokes and watching you and Lou play off of each other. -Until we meet again dear brother. To my my Lana brothers and sisters: Though I am Lana by marriage, I feel loved like blood. I love all of you with all my heart and soul and I pray you each find peace and comfort in all the precious memories that you have. "

"My sincerest condolences to the Lana and extended family and friends. I was blessed to see Joe perform several times and met him once at Jazz fest with Significant Other. That smile and energy he brought was amazing...he made a huge impact on so many musically, spiritually and in our music community. I send my prayers of comfort and blessings to you all. God bless you all and God rest you, Joe! Thank you, Amen"

"Joe it's just too hard. I considered you a friend, we always said hi to each other and maybe I would snap a pic or two. Always a trip in front of the lens. My condolences to your family. RIP"

"Growing up with Joey and Lou Lana was the same as hanging out with Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Fin. You knew you were going to go out on an adventure and it was going to be a fun. When I see the movie "Stand by Me" it reminds me of the times we had growing up. I could go on and on with the many "Our Gang" memories and experiences of growing up on Randolph Street. Throughout my life I have continued to think of those memories of growing up with Joey and I always laugh and remember the fun we all had together. I could never fathom what my childhood life would have been like without Joey and the Lana's. We have all lost the most loving and out going brother anyone can have. My heart is with Joey, Jenn and family as well as everyone that knew him. Still can't believe I am typing this. "

"I first met Joe just after grade school about Frederick Douglass Junior time and we hung out with the same crew at wearing Park Cyril coleto and all of Joe brothers as the years when I used to go to a lot of different band practices 1 Pacific time I was getting married seacret Heart Cathedral and we had to do pre-cana classes and Joe was there with his fiance and I was there with mine they gave us a half hour break in between classes needless to say we came back laughing hysterically and interrupt the class several times can't say what we did but the nuns were pissed off there's so many memories of Joe and his brother David that I have probably forgotten more than half Joe you are the best drummer in Rochester and never be anybody that can compare to you brother you're one of a kind going to love and miss you dearly rest in peace brother will see you at another time God bless you and your family"

"Joey(lovey) what we called each other! We go way back from school days, when we skipped and hung out at Tommy Vess house then went to my house we're you taught me how to jam on my vintage Ludwig ( as much as you would let me have a turn.. ) or the time I let you borrow my bike and tape recorder (what we used back then ) and you returned driving the bike, barely with a bent wheel and a broken in pieces tape recorder telling me while laughing historically you got hit by a car... I was there when you wed beautiful Diane who became a great friend to me. Remember when your kids were born and remember little joe at 4 playing the drums after I gave him a bag of candy lol seeing you through many bands as well as your first 'iron cross' You were always and will go down in history as the best all time drummer in the world with a drive and skill like no others. You were a brother to me and I'm so great full for all of our time and memories I'm beside myself for getting sick and missing, what would have been the last time I would see you. You were in my thoughts to call you on Thursday and I'll always regret saying I'll call him later! Who knew? There is no later and now I guess I'll see ya on the other side! Love you, my brother, my best bud, my equally matched sense of humor. Many laughs to remember will be missed more than any one knows your with my Dad and many others love forever Denise Lovey Broccolo "

"Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your Joe. I am Angela's cousin, and regret I never got to meet him. He sounds like a wonderful man. I know he will be missed."

" Joe you'll never be forgotten I had some of my best memories in life with you I love you like a brother "

"I hung out with your brother Rick so I watched you grow up since you were a little boy. I was proud of and impressed with, the man you grew up to be! Love ya Joe...RIP my friend!!!"

"There are no words when our friends leave us, thank God for the memories we share. Rest easy...God bless the whole family. Our hearts are breaking with you. "

"Joey....you left me with decades of great memories to reflect on of all the fun times we had...i'm going to miss your 3 am messages :) my sympathy to your kids and family....luvya brother"

"I can't believe we have to let you go so soon. Thank you for being my brother in-law and my friend, for making me laugh till my sides split, for being my kids' totally inappropriate and hilarious uncle. We love you so much Joe and will miss you forever. "

"Sending all who knew and loved Joe comforting hugs during this difficult time. Keep playing those tunes Joe...never stop! Steve and Lisa Lowden ~ Nightfall"

"I remember Joey & Porky as kids me and my buddy Steve would occasionally baby sit them both while Joyce would go grocery shopping. As young guys we would hang out and play music in the band in there basement. The twins where full of love and fun. Especially Joey that kid was full of energy he wanted to be part of everything that went on as far as music it was in his veins! Especially growing up in the Motown era. He will be loved and missed my condolences to the Lana family. Sincerely Jimmy Saporito"

"Saying goodbye is gut wrenching. I will really miss you Joe. You were always a great joy to be around and had only good in your heart for everyone. Your ability to light up a room with your bigger than life personality was infectious. Your amazing musical talent, thank god, will go on through Joey, and fun loving personality will be remembered through Jenn and Joey. My heart hurts for your family and if given the choice, you would have never left them. You had so much more life to live and too young to go so soon. The only saving grace is that you're with god and family who love you. I'll never forget you my friend. You and your family will always be in my prayers. See you again one day. "

"I am unable to attend the funeral service. I only met Joe a few times but within those times he struck me as a funny, warm hearted, ball busting type of guy with a crazy laugh!! He seemed to be loving life and always had a smile on his face. Wish I had the chance to have known him even better. My conoldences thoughts and prayers go out to family friends and all who knew him and will miss him. "

"Joe will be greatly missed. He introduce me to the infamous Garbage Plate. (a Rochester Staple) Thoughts and Prayers go out to his family in this time of Grief"

"Joe was in my shop class at Edision Tech..I Remember the first time we ever heard Eruption by VH..We both were totally blown away.. The year was 1978..memories like that will always stay with you..RIP"

"I have been a fan of Joe's for a long time and had recently met him. I anticipated becoming friends with Joe after hanging out with him at Bar Louie recently. We chatted about funny movies, music and his future musical endeavor. My heart was broken when I heard the sad news. My love, thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and the local music community. May he rest easy and rock in peace!"

"Dear Joseph William Lana's Family. All of us at Music Lovers Shoppe | American Music Centre are deeply saddened by the recent news. Though we never knew Joe directly, we send our deepest condolences during this difficult time for your family. You're in our thought and prayers. God Bless all of You!"

"My deepest condolences to the Lana family. Gonna miss you Joe. We had alot of laughs together!!! "

"I will forever miss your smiling face and will remember all of the great gigs we've played together. I know that heaven will be rockin' with your presence there. Rest easy, my brotha'"

"My Condolences to Joe's family,may you find strength during this time.ROCKE THE HEAVENS JOE,RIP"

"I will miss you Joe...thank you for your friendship and for being the great man you were.Thank you for the music and the memories...I love you man."

"Tribute to a Good man and Great musician. God Rest his soul "

"My God, this is heartbreaking. I am so very sorry to the Lana family for this loss. A huge loss it is. Joe had an exuberant personality and I know he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Please take comfort in knowing he is in heaven with his loving mother and brother. God bless all of you."

"To you Joey I love you"