Christian Man Loses Wife After Son's Birth; Newborn Then Dies Days After Father Sings Touching Version of Beatle's 'Blackbird'
Chris Picco, a Christian worship leader whose wife and newborn son died just days apart, brought new meaning to the popular 1968 Beatles hit song "Blackbird" after a recording of him singing the song to his young son shortly before he died went viral on the Internet.
The recording of the touching moment posted to YouTube Wednesday had been viewed close to 7 million times shortly after noon on Friday.
A description accompanying the video explains the narrative behind it.
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Picco's son, Lennon James Picco, it explains, was delivered by emergency C-section at 24 weeks. His wife, Ashley, died in her sleep shortly after that.
"Lennon's lack of movement and brain activity was a constant concern for the doctors and nurses at Loma Linda University Hospital, where he received the absolute best care available. During the pregnancy, Ashley would often feel Lennon moving to music so Chris asked if he could bring his guitar into the NICU," it further explained, which led to the now viral moment.
Beatles member Paul McCartney who wrote "Blackbird" explained to RollingStone that the song was about the struggle over civil rights at the time.
"I had in mind a black woman, rather than a bird," said McCartney. "Those were the days of the civil rights movement, which all of us cared passionately about, so this was really a song from me to a black woman, experiencing these problems in the States: 'Let me encourage you to keep trying, to keep your faith, there is hope.'"
A crowdfunding campaign that was started on Youcaring.com to help Picco's family deal with the financial pressures has raised more than $100,000 from the public.
"Ashley Picco was a rare light, a gracious care giver, and deeply in love with her husband, Chris. They were looking forward to becoming parents and raising their son together. Tragically and unexpectedly her life was cut short. We grieve with Chris and their extended family," said a message to donors on the Youcaring account.
"As individuals and community, it is difficult to know how to respond. This is just one tangible way we can all honor Ashley, bless Chris, and grieve together. Thank you for your kindness, prayers, and goodwill," the message continued.
A memorial service for Ashley and Lennon is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Loma Linda Seventh Day Adventist Church in California, according to a message posted on the church's Facebook page.
