Travis Barker Pays Tribute to Teen Fan Who Died From Cancer _ E! News

Transcript

00:00 Travis Barker is mourning the loss of a fan he says changed his life forever.

00:06 Alex Etheridge, a teen drummer who had the chance to meet the Blink-182 rocker, died

00:11 at the age of 13 on July 19th, his family confirms.

00:17 According to Phoenix outlet Fox 10, Alex was diagnosed with bone cancer in January of 2023.

00:25 Shortly after his passing, Travis shares a personal letter he noted he was working on

00:30 when he heard of the news.

00:32 He writes underneath the July 19th Instagram post of Alex, saying, "I just wanted to say

00:39 meeting you changed my life forever.

00:42 When my daughter Alabama told me about you and your story, I couldn't wait to hang.

00:47 You're one of the nicest people I've met.

00:50 You are so talented in so many ways.

00:53 You're a great songwriter, drummer, and musician.

00:57 I loved jamming with you, playing paradiddles, and heard us.

01:01 I could've hung out with you for days if we had more time."

01:05 Travis, who met the Arizona native in June, remembers the young musician as being "so

01:11 strong, happy, and present."

01:14 He continues, "Felt like for those few hours we got to hang out, you weren't in pain or

01:20 sick anymore.

01:22 You kept saying, 'Am I dreaming?

01:24 Like is this really happening?'

01:26 And I just kept saying, 'Yes, yes it is.'

01:30 As I'm writing this, I just got a DM from Alex's Instagram with news that Alex has passed.

01:36 I scrolled up and read through our messages and I'm crying heartbroken.

01:41 All I wanted was for this video and message to get to Alex before he passed, and I missed

01:47 him."

01:48 The 47-year-old goes on to note that he will keep his time with Alex "close to my heart

01:54 forever."

01:56 In their heartbreaking July 19 announcement, Alex's family remembers their loved one as

02:01 being "punk AF" and put others first until his final moment.

02:06 They add, "He cherished his relationships with friends and truly loved life."

02:12 "He was a great man, and I love him.

02:13 I'm so proud of him.

02:14 He's a great man, and I love him.

02:15 I'm so proud of him.

02:16 He's a great man, and I love him.

02:17 I'm so proud of him.

02:18 I'm so proud of him."

02:19 "I'm so proud of him."

02:20 [MUSIC PLAYING]

02:23 (upbeat music)