Big John Wrencher: tribute

From previous posts, you might know that I have a passion for playing harmonica. I am also enthralled by the blues, and its various musical offshoots.

I take what I am doing fairly seriously; but I also have a lot of fun. I have been playing every day -- whenever I possibly can -- for roughly 3 years.

As with everything, there are challenges. For example, I can't hold the harmonica in the standard way. I can only use one hand. It can be difficult; because I have seen the majority of players hold their harp, in a certain, accepted way. I started to wonder if my physical differences would prevent me from becoming the harmonica player I wanted to be.

Then, I saw Big John Wrencher!

Wrencher was born in Sunflower County, MS, in 1924 on a plantation. His youthful interest in music -- particularly the harmonica -- kept him on the move as a traveling musician, playing throughout Tennessee and neighboring Arkansas from the late '40s to the early '50s. In 1958, Big John lost his left arm in a car crash in Memphis. By the early '60s, he had moved North to Chicago and quickly became a regular fixture on Maxwell Street, always working on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to nearly 3:00 in the afternnon virtually non-stop, as Sundays were the big payday for most busking musicians working the area.

(from Answers.com)

'How many more years', Big John Wrencher.

Big John passed away in 1977. I am using this material, only with the greatest of respect. This post is a tribute to possibilities. I feel re-energised!

Drummer Mitch Mitchell found dead

Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell found dead - CNN.com

It is my sad duty to report the news that John 'Mitch' Mitchell, the pioneering drummer for The Jimi Hendrix Experience, has passed away. As the name of the group suggests, The Experience was a huge part of Hendrix's initial explosion onto the music scene. He was also a child-actor.

Some have suggested that the musicians with whom Hendrix surrounded himself provided only a backdrop for his musical creativity, that is a dubious statement to make. Jimi had an ability to surround himself with fantastic musicians. Mitch was no exception! He was jazz-influenced drummer, inspired by Elvin Jones with an aggressive, poly-rhythmic style. they think I am correct in saying, that Mitch played with Hendrix more consistently than any other musician. from the formation of the Experience in 1966, until the original lineup parted company in 1969; then, with the reformation of The Experience (with bassist Billy Cox) in 1970.

Of course, Hendrix died in September of 1970. You may notice that I speak about Hendrix's career, and those around him, with relative ease. I write about this because I want to.

Mitch played in an extended lineup with Hendrix, at the Woodstock festival. He had a really intense approach to his instrument and contributed a jazz flavour to the music of Hendrix, and others.

Following Hendrix's death, Mitch has been keeping a much lower profile. Although, he has worked with numerous other musicians, after 1970. Mitchell sometimes worked in production capacity, as well. He had done much to keep the legacy of his friend, Jimi, alive. He participated in many tours, along with other musicians who had worked with Hendrix, during his lifetime. In fact, that's what he had been doing, around the time of his death. He was found dead in his hotel room, at the age of 62.

Mitchell was the last surviving member of the original Jimi Hendrix Experience; bassist Noel Redding died in 2003. The second lineup is sometimes referred to as the 'Cry of Love' band.

There is much that could be said about Mitch, and his contribution to music... but the music speaks for itself. You will be sorely missed, Mitch!

Richard Wright: 1943 - 2008

What you read in this link, is one of the official articles about Rick's death. It's more than likely, that other Pink Floyd fans have already heard the news. However, I only found out today. Of course, it came as a shock; especially as I did not know that Rick had been suffering from a serious illness. This is very sad news for me; I have been following the band, since I was quite young.

For those who don't know, Richard was a gifted keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist -- and a founding member of the world-famous rock band, Pink Floyd. Much like many other people, I first came across the band, through the album Dark Side of the Moon. It was a part of my Dad's record collection. Little did I know that the LP would change my life.

With albums such as Dark Side of the Moon, I began to realise that music can be very deep. It did not necessarily need to be a passive experience -- something that was enjoyable, but ultimately inconsequential. This was not the case with Pink Floyd, however. Their music was always interesting, because it spoke to my mind, as well as my heart. It was a life-changing album for me.

The structure of the music, as well as the lyrics, was intellectually challenging. Rick 's musicianship and lyrical contributions were immensely important; but they were often forgotten by fans and journalists. Perhaps it's because he never sought the limelight much, I don't know. Anyhow, during his time with Pink Floyd, and when he was working on a solo career, the music was always great.

So many examples of Rick Wright's music are coming to mind. Obviously most people will think of Dark Side Of the Moon, when they hear Floyd; but there were so many other musical high points. This is taking a while to write, because I have so much I wanted to say. It may even be necessary to write another post!

From my perspective, I feel this loss deeply; even though we had never met. You will be missed, Richard.

Kurt Vonnegut

15 Things Kurt Vonnegut Said Better Than Anyone Else Ever Has Or Will | The A.V. Club

I still find it difficult to believe that he is no longer with us. Of course, being a fan, I know that he is perfectly alive in plenty of other moments. So it goes. Slaughterhouse Five had a revolutionary impact on me; and the way I thought about life and time as an entity. I would say that the discovery of Vonnegut's many and varied literary contributions was a life changing experience.

He thought, and wrote, like no one else, in my experience. I don't know -- he had a way of ridiculing the truth, while still maintaining its validity. Kurt's writing gave me the feeling of being on the edge of some kind of epiphany.

It is the kind of peculiar, edgy and dangerous prose, which inspires me to write. Very few people seemed to have the ability to see what is really going on in the given situation -- I think Vonnegut was one of those people. Seemingly every Vonnegut book I read, contains some kind of mind-bending truth or observation. (I should point out that this was not meant to be hero worship or a sycophancy; only observation and respect.)

He has made a great contribution to this world. I see things differently, now. I discovered Vonnegut's fairly late; I wish that I had caught on earlier.