Dave Franklin, frontman of legendary NJHC band VISION, passed away this week aged 47.
Franklin passed away on Thursday afternoon, his cause of death unknown.
Franklin lived in Florida and was visiting family and friends in New Jersey when he passed away.
VISION's legacy includes the landmark Nemesis Records release, "In The Blink Of An Eye" and "The Kids Still Have A Lot To Say" on Grilled Chesse Records. They also released "Watching The World Burn" on Epitaph and "Detonate" on I Scream Records.
Our condolences to friends and family.
A Go Fund Me has been set up to cover his funeral costs. Donations can be made here.
Tributes have been flowing in the memory of Dave...
From Tim McMahon: "Right around this past Halloween, Dave Franklin texted me and told me he was moving to Florida, he said he had a bunch of records, photos, shirts, stickers, etc that he wanted me to have. I drove up to his house in Bridgewater, NJ that night. We hung out for hours, talked, laughed, had a blast and went through boxes upon boxes of memories. This photo right here is of his original X Swatch and Adidas jacket that he gave me, both of which he's wearing on the back cover of the "In The Blink Of An Eye" LP. I gave Dave a few bucks, but essentially he gave me a ton of great stuff, just because he wanted me to have it. I was honored that he thought enough of me to pass a lot of the great stuff he had, down to me. I had known Dave for close to 30 years and ever since the first day I met him, he was such a cool, welcoming guy. Even when I was a little Vision fanboy, congratulating him on a great set at City Gardens in 1988, he talked to me like we were long lost friends. Dave was New Jersey Hardcore to me, he was the walking, talking, embodiment of it and I always had a lot of respect for him. I could quite honestly go on and on with Dave and Vision related stories and how much of an impact he and the band have had on my life, but if you know me, you already know this. Take a look through my past IG posts, you'll get an idea. Ever since hanging out with Dave around Halloween, we've been in constant contact, even as recently as two days before Christmas. He was so excited about how those recent string of Vision shows with H20 went and reprinting all those classic Vision shirts, he seemed to have all kinds of plans for life in general. To say that I'm in complete and total shock over the news of his passing, would be an understatement. I have so much to say, yet so little to say at the same time. I'm genuinely heartbroken, we lost one of the good ones today."
Sick Of It All: "It's with very heavy hearts that we have to say goodbye to one of our true brothers, Dave Franklin, who unbelievably passed away today. It seems unreal to think that someone so close to us has been taken away. He loved laughter like no one else and he burned incredibly bright during his short life. We'll always have his glow in our lives because every memory is a fond one. May you rest in peace, Dave. We'll miss you so much."
H2O: "We will miss you sincerely Dave Franklin. Never did we see you and you were not smiling or reminiscing about the fun old days. 2017 starting off like this already?"
Killing Time: "RIP Dave Franklin. Our friend and brother. We will miss you beyond belief. Prayers for strength to your family, friends and our brothers in Vision (past & present). Love you. NJHC."
BoySetsFire: "Dave Franklin was more than a legend of NJ Hardcore (even though he most certainly was exactly that: a legend)…he was a true brother & friend. He gave me a job working construction with him when moving to New Jersey and really took me under his wing. He showed me that hard work could also be tons of fun. He even gave me my nickname “Das Boot” while living out there. He really meant a lot to me and us. More than I could ever convey in a post. His laughter and presence touched everyone who knew him and will never fade. He will be truly missed. Forever. Robert & BSF"
Bouncing Souls: "Still trying to process this. Can’t believe one of the biggest personalities we’ve had the pleasure of knowing has passed. Dave Franklin will always live on in our hearts as the funny, loud, brash and larger-than-life brother in our strange beautiful family. Dave had so much life in him he should have outlived us all, it’s just senseless. Our thoughts are with the Franklin family (as well as Dave’s all of Dave’s extended punk/HC family) today."