FDNY firefighter who died in fall — William Tolley — was heavy metal drummer about to go on tour
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Previously: FDNY Firefighter William Tolley dies after fall — watch press conference
William “Billy” Tolley, the FDNY firefighter who died after falling 5-stories while transitioning between a tower ladder and an apartment roof, was also a heavy metal drummer whose group, Internal Bleeding, was about to go on tour.
Tolley, who was also a volunteer firefighter at Long Island’s Bethpage Fire Department, had been a member of the band since 1991 and, according to the New York Post had once been asked to join the Grammy-nominated band Hatebreed.
Billy Tolley is survived by his wife Marie and eight-year-old daughter Bella.
The group was preparing to go on a nationwide tour starting May 27, and had planned on releasing a single on Friday titled, “Final Justice.”
Their first stop was set for Spartanburg, South Carolina — followed by shows in Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago and the Big Apple.
“Our drummer, the heartbeat of the band, William Tolley died today,” the band wrote on Facebook Thursday night.
“There are ZERO WORDS to describe the loss,” they said. “He was a good, decent and honorable man who loved his friends, his family and the people he served. There will never be another like him. There are no words to describe the utter sadness and despair we feel right now. We love you Bill.”
