09/20/2020
Five years ago this Fall (2015), Gator Country Band's original sixteen foot by sixteen foot (16' X 16') Phantom Warrior stage backdrop was donated to an "appropriate" forever home in Riff's honor. Today it still graces The Abrams Fitness Center & gymnasium at Fort Hood, Texas.
In Riff West's own words:
"That backdrop was a surprise to us too!! It was a present to me from Universal Studios as a "welcome back" gift. We also had a new Gator Country Backdrop made, so, we'll proudly use both!! Yeah, the audience went wild when The Death Dealer backdrop was uncovered that night at Universal... they whistled and cheered for what seemed like an hour. It still gives me chills to remember the unveiling of it, and what it represents to so many Americans."
Below are excerpts from a 2005 article about the unveiling of the backdrop at Universal, along with the thread of emails between Riff's Estate and Fort Hood Military Officials, preceding and following the donation, transportation, delivery, and display of Riff's incredible Phantom Warrior backdrop.
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This custom stage backdrop was produced by Universal Studios Orlando executives as a gift to and for Riff West, to commemorate the reunion of his 5 former, original-era Molly Hatchet bandmates performing under a new moniker, "Gator Country Band." The expansive 16 ft. diameter Phantom Warrior/Death Dealer heavy vinyl canvas backdrop was unveiled at Gator Country's debut concert on 03/12/2005 at Universal Studios Orlando/Citywalk, immediately following Lynyrd Skynyrd's performance.
It was replicated from the image of American Southern Rock band Molly Hatchet's first album cover in 1978 simply titled, "MOLLY HATCHET."
This original artwork was named "Death Dealer" and painted by internationally-renowned artist Frank Frazetta, whose distinctive artwork graces the covers of several subsequent Molly Hatchet albums.
This large round 16 ft. diameter, colorful Death Dealer/Phantom Warrior image is on heavy duty vinyl, with several circular wind vents and grommets located every foot around the perimeter edges.
This Death Dealer image is not only the symbolic, unofficial mascot of Molly Hatchet and Gator Country Bands, it is recognized throughout the world through an array of art mediums that cross cultural boundaries.
The official mascot of the U.S. Army III Corps, a life-size bronze statue of Death Dealer, named "The Phantom Warrior" stands outside its Fort Hood, Texas headquarters.
Death Dealer is also the official mascot for the U.S. Marines' helicopter squadron HMMT-164 (formerly VMM-164, a.k.a. the Knightriders), based at Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, California.
The cover art for many Molly Hatchet albums displays other artwork by Frank Frazetta, the Death Dealer, a.k.a. "Phantom Warrior" is decidedly the most recognizable.
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----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Downing, Stacye M NAF USARMY IMCOM FMWRC (US)
To: "[email protected]"
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2015, 04:09:37 PM EST
Subject: Fort Hood PHANTOM WARRIOR
Terri -
As promised here is the amazing Phantom Warrior on the Abrams Fitness Center wall. It is truly stunning!!
Cannot thank you enough for providing this historic artifact to Fort Hood, home of the Phantom Warrior.
Have a wonderful day!
Stacye
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From: "Luedeke, Kirk A LTC USARMY III CORPS (US)"
To: Terri Stewart
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 2:40 PM
Subject: RE: "Phantom Warrior" 16' round canvas backdrop -
Ms Stewart-
I am touched by your heartfelt response and desire to make this contribution in memory of Riff West to Fort Hood. We are pretty proud of the III Armored Corps and the Death Dealer's place in our branding and recognition as the most lethal mounted force in the world. Please accept the attached image of the Phantom Corps in appreciation for your support of us.
We use this in all of our videos and official release products and you are welcome to have this for your personal use. As you can see- the Death Dealer is superimposed over the III Corps patch- the pointed caltrop, with the assigned Division patches at top- the 1st Infantry Division "Big Red One" at Fort Riley, KS; the 4th Infantry Division "Ivy Division" at Fort Carson, CO; the 1st Armored Division "Old Ironsides" at Fort Bliss, TX and of course- my own 1st Cavalry Division "America's First Team" here at Fort Hood. I served with the 1st Cavalry Division in Iraq during the troop surge in 2007-08 and again in Afghanistan in 2014. Also depicted is the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and 1st Army Division West patches. The smaller patches at bottom represent all of the separate brigade units stationed at Fort Hood.
As for the backdrop- let me talk to the MWR folks to see how to best make this happen in terms of delivery and timeline.
We don't have any kind of specific date/time in mind here, wanted to defer to you on that and then based on your recommendations, I can take it back to them for consideration.
Respectfully-
Kirk A. Luedeke
LTC, AR
Public Affairs Officer
III Corps/TF Phantom
Office: 254-287-6694
DSN: 312-738-6694
BB/cell: 254-630-3721
-----Original Message-----
From: Terri Stewart [Caution-mailto:[email protected] < Caution-mailto:[email protected] > ]
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 12:32 PM
To: Luedeke, Kirk A LTC USARMY III CORPS (US)
