Tom DeLonge has nothing but love for Matt Skiba for helping keep blink-182 “alive and thriving” over the last several years.
Earlier this week, blink-182 surprised fans by announcing a brand new album and massive world tour featuring the classic lineup, DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, a reunion years in the making following DeLonge’s exit from the band.
It was here that Skiba, lead vocalist and guitarist for Alkaline Trio, stepped in.
DeLonge took to social media on Thursday to share a personal message he sent to Skiba because “it’s important for the world to know that I honour him” for his years in the band.
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“I wanted to take a minute and say thank you for all that you have done to keep the band alive and thriving in my absence,” he wrote.
“I think you are enormously talented (I still love to listen to your band to this day). You have always been so kind to me, not only in the press, but also to others. I really noticed.”
The rocker acknowledged how things could be tense in the band but said Hoppus’ recent cancer battle help them gain perspective.
“Emotions between the three of us in blink have always been complicated, but Mark’s cancer really put things in perspective,” he said.
“But to be honest, the band would not even be here today if it were not for your ability to jump in and save the day. So from my heart to yours, thank you for being a member of our band.”
Fans enjoyed seeing the reverence DeLonge has for Skiba, with many voicing their support for seeing him join the band on stage in the future.
