We were shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Power Trip vocalist Riley Gale yesterday. Almost instantly, the rock and metal community took to social media to pay tribute to a vocalist who was gone too soon.
Here is the statement Riley's band and family put out.
"Dear Power Trip fans worldwide,
"It is with the greatest of sadness we must announce that our lead singer and brother Riley Gale passed away last night.
"Riley was a friend, a brother, a son. Riley was both a larger than life rock star and a humble and giving friend. He touched so many lives through his lyrics and through his huge heart. He treated everyone he met as a friend and he always took care of his friends. We will celebrate Riley’s life and never forget the great works of music, charity, and love that he left behind. You, the fans, meant so much to him, please know how special you are. If you have a memory of Riley please share it, no matter how small, as we remember him.
"Please respect our wishes for privacy during this time. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Dallas Hope Charities, the link to donate directly is here.
"Signed, – Rlley’s Loving Family
"P.S. Funeral and visitation arrangements are pending."
Here is a collection of tributes from social media:
Completely shocked and saddened at this news. Our condolences go out to family and friends @powertriptx https://t.co/kFRNCuZNp7
— Anthrax (@Anthrax) August 26, 2020
Just heard about Riley. Goddamnit. Sending love to his family and friends and his band. @powertriptx
— Scott Ian (@Scott_Ian) August 26, 2020
I just got the news.. He was only 35.. I’m devastated.. Still don’t know how… I’m speechless. So Fd up.. smh ? https://t.co/c1MOo8p4GE
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) August 26, 2020
This is awful. Devastating news. My deepest condolences to Riley’s band, family, friends and fans. Please respond w/ a memory or your favorite PxT jam. See you on the other side brother. ??❤️ https://t.co/iGNhljGnbs
— Jamey Jasta (@jameyjasta) August 26, 2020
I'm not going to pretend like I knew Riley Gale very well, I didn't. I do know that a lot of you did and I feel for you…
Posted by The Black Dahlia Murder on Wednesday, August 26, 2020
So sad to hear of Riley Gale’s passing. I only had the good fortune of meeting him once, but he had a way of making you feel like you’d known him forever, instantly. Such a profound loss. Love and deepest sympathies to @powertriptx and everyone close to him.
— Jay Weinberg (@jayweinbergdrum) August 26, 2020
We were able to chat about comics, games, and food – often – and you fronted a band that had the world excited like no other. You will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace Riley. pic.twitter.com/6GQ5oDzvXl
— Matthew kiichichaos Heafy (@matthewkheafy) August 26, 2020
— Paolo Gregoletto (@TriviumPaolo) August 26, 2020
Totally shocked about this, RIP Riley ?, my heart goes out to his family and the #powertrip guys https://t.co/vZ019nmZZd
— Charlie Benante (@skisum) August 26, 2020
Very sad to hear about the death of Power Trip singer Riley. Saw them open for Cannibal Corpse and they were fucking awesome. Sending positive energy to the bandmembers and his family ??? https://t.co/pzJU3D0rwk
— Robb Flynn (@TheGeneralMH) August 26, 2020
Rest in Power, Riley Gale of Power Trip. We were looking forward to making memories together next year. Our thoughts are with you all. https://t.co/zbuynYcm55
— Coheed and Cambria (@Coheed) August 26, 2020
RIP Riley. I only hung with him a few times in person but I got to know him more from internet interactions. Was just a kindred spirit. We appreciated and saw things in a lot of similar ways. Going to miss knowing he was out there fighting the good fight. Rest in power and love.
— Brian Fair (@brianshadfall) August 26, 2020
RIP Riley Gale. Much love to the Power Trip family and all those close to them.
— Nighted Throne (@NightedThrone) August 26, 2020
Love you so much. https://t.co/qKcETeiG57
— Deafheaven (@deafheavenband) August 26, 2020
Rest In Peace Riley.
you made a huge dent in heavy music history that will last forever.
our deepest condolences to his friends, family and the guys in @powertriptx https://t.co/bIqlX49dfN— Code Orange (@codeorangetoth) August 26, 2020
I love you Riley
— ? (@LeeSpielman) August 26, 2020
i’ll never forget my father showing me power trip for the first time. one of the first bands that got me into hardcore from the metal world. so important to me. riley was always so kind every time i talked to him. i’m devastated. https://t.co/GTiecVi18w
— Isaac Hale (@caasihale) August 26, 2020
Really awful news, sending love to the Power Trip crew. Rest easy, Riley. https://t.co/sxTpEjSTjq
— This Is Hell (@THISISHELL) August 26, 2020
No, no, no. This is too much. So much love in my heart for Riley. This is a real heartbreak. ??❤️? https://t.co/Olen9jOe6n
— Geoffrey Rickly (@GeoffRickly) August 26, 2020
I am absolutely gutted by the news of Riley’s passing. Completely in disbelief. I remember making the trip to Dallas from LR many of times like 12 years ago to see em when they were a mere local band. He was an incredible human being with a bigger heart than most. REST IN POWER.
— TERMINAL NATION (@terminalnation) August 26, 2020
So sad to hear about the passing of Riley Gale of @powertriptx . Glad I was able to have a moment that I’ll remember forever. Rest In Peace Riley. #rileygale #powertrip pic.twitter.com/PU2xFmk9qY
— Caity Babs (@CiBabs) August 26, 2020
Riley forever. Devastating news. All our deepest love and condolences to his band, family, friends and Texas. ? https://t.co/NH3NJQ1wCi
— Touche Amore (@ToucheAmore) August 26, 2020
We are in complete shock.
Riley and the PT family have ALWAYS been welcoming and kind to us, from day one. Our community lost genuinely one of the nicest, most fun loving souls I have ever encountered. Tell your friends and family you love them, even the ones you don’t talk to. https://t.co/AGbc7fHiLR
— Harm's Way (@harmsxway) August 26, 2020
— EARLY GRAVES (@earlygraves) August 26, 2020
You will be missed, brother. Damn this sucks. #RIPRiley https://t.co/aSVb24ASVJ
— Doc Coyle (@DocCoyle) August 26, 2020
Riley and Powertrip destroyed my living room in the best possible way. This is a huge loss. RIP Riley. https://t.co/p54mNVy00X pic.twitter.com/5XuDkSrtSn
— Prime Mixister StroumPHÒulopoulos??? (@strombo) August 26, 2020
To a great front man and a even greater friend! Every time RO played TX, you took care of us and always showed us love! Condolences to your family/ friends/ fans. We love you, Riley! #powertripforever @RILEY_CYRUS pic.twitter.com/RWVVAxgHU0
— ROTTING OUT (@RottingOut) August 26, 2020
Man, horrible news. Sending love to his family, friends and bandmates. Rest In Peace Riley. https://t.co/dAiocBnnG4
— Nonpoint (@nonpoint) August 26, 2020
Riley always put on for the home team, he and Power Trip helped open a lot of doors for us and many other bands out of the Texas hardcore scene over the years. The music world lost a huge star, Rest in Power Riley Gale. https://t.co/DK75XRKi5N
— Creeping Death (@CreepingDeathtx) August 26, 2020
Rest in peace Riley Gale. You were universally loved by everyone, including all of us. ?
— Incendiary (@IncendiaryHC) August 26, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEVTuZVlgTH/?utm_source=ig_embed
Just a week before police murdered Breonna Taylor, Riley Gale of @PowerTripTX co-wrote/guest-starred on "Point the Finger" by @BodyCountBand, calling out police brutality in *the* most essential metal song of 2020.
Rest in power to an incredible thrasher.https://t.co/qizdLy4dws https://t.co/TSfCF5PaVz— Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) August 26, 2020
We wouldn’t exist without Power Trip and we wouldn’t be here without Riley Gale. Riley put on for us and gave us opportunities when he absolutely didn’t have to, and some of the bands best memories are directly owed to him. Riley Gale forever.
— Judiciary (@JudiciaryTX) August 26, 2020
Thank you for making us feel so welcome in Texas, Riley. Thank you for giving us your raw energy on stage. May you rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/tqMSEc7ANz
— Kelen Keller (@KelenKeller38) August 26, 2020
Rest in power Riley Gale. You were one of the biggest influences on my life.. I have no words pic.twitter.com/aPjUelL24i
— NARROW HEAD (@NARROW_HEAD) August 26, 2020
I never got to express that to him, but now I really wish I had. He believed in me more than I believed in myself and I’ll never forget that. This hurts.
— Connor (@afterallthedead) August 26, 2020
Riley once said when commenting on the death of a friend. “Matter cannot be created or destroyed, it just changes.” Riley gale forever.
— Uncle Dan (@allnitechemist_) August 26, 2020
Our deepest thoughts and condolences go out to Riley's family and friends. This sucks.
