NATASHA SHNEIDER

I am deeply saddened to tell you that the music community has lost one of its most gifted musicians that I had the extreme honor and privilege of knowing. The multi talented, extremely intelligent, and remarkably beautiful Natasha Shneider died of cancer on July 2nd, 2008.

I first met Natasha along with her equally extraordinarily talented husband Alain Johannes back in 2001 when we worked together on an album recorded in Joshua Tree, California called "The Desert Sessions 7 and 8". Natasha and Alain had their own critically acclaimed band Eleven, and worked with many, many musicians throughout the years, writing and producing songs and albums at their home studio in Los Angeles.

In 2005, I had the pleasure of touring Europe and the U.S. with Natasha while she was playing keyboards for Queens Of The Stone Age and I was playing drums for Eagles Of Death Metal. Natasha and I traveled on the same tour bus for many months, and I have countless priceless memories of her. As a woman in a male dominated rock music world, I looked up to Natasha not only for her genius artistry, but also her no bullshit-taking brilliant ways.

For those of you who can help, there is a Pay Pal fund account that has been set up to help the family defray the costs associated with Natasha's medical care. Here is the link: http://www.natashashneider.org/

I send my heartfelt condolences to Alain, her loving husband and soulmate, and her sweet son, Robin, as well as all those who Natasha has touched throughout her life. Natasha Shneider .. you are truly missed.

Samantha Maloney