Reagan Youth Co-Founder and Guitarist Paul Bakija, a.k.a. “Paul Cripple” has died after a long battle with cancer. He died early last week according to posts on social media from the band accounts. Formed at Forrest Hills High School in the footsteps of former attendees Ramones, along with singer Dave Rubinstein (a.k.a. Dave Insurgent), Reagan Youth would be one of the foundational blocks of early New York Hardcore. Their classic 1984 album Youth Anthems for the New Order (R Radical Records) is a NYHC genre classic. They lasted for ten years, and attempted to reunite several times over the years with a few releases, and notably played gigs in 2006. Read the bands’ statement below. RIP Paul.
View this post on Instagram
The band shared the following:
It’s a beautiful. it’s a beautiful it’s a beautiful-beautiful day!
Our beautiful friend, Paul, passed away on a beautiful afternoon, the last day of summer, after a long battle with cancer.
Paul was intensely stoic about his illness and rarely let on how much pain he was in. He constantly apologized for causing his loved ones pain and wished us to enjoy life for him. The last thing Paul would have wanted was for us to cry for him. We’re all going to miss him, miss his stories, miss his silly sense of humor, miss his smiles, and miss his friendship. We love you Paul. Thank you for everything.