I was at my studio. When I heard that Chi Cheng had died, I stopped working. I couldn't work anymore. I just wanted more info. I wanted to know if they pulled the plug, if there was no possible way he'd come back.
I first met him a long, long time ago when we played some shows together. He was a meat-and-potatoes kind of bass player, very modest, and I liked that. I connected with the whole band. We were like brothers — Deftones and us — like two brother bands. I remember one time when we did Ozzfest together, Chi and I were talking — not partying or drinking — and he was very spiritual. We were talking about how high you could be as a spiritual person. We talked about using your head and using your power and energy. He was the coolest guy in the world and I miss him very much.
When I first heard about his accident, the first thing I did was I got on a plane and flew to San Jose to see him. I didn't even tell anybody. I just got on a flight and flew. I needed to see him and to be there for his mother. I was highly involved in that whole thing really from the beginning to the end. It was all very difficult. Now his smile is my fondest memory of him.
