• 895 replies
    marye
    Joined:
    Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • marye
    Joined:
    so sorry for your loss, donnie
    Ryan sounds like an awesome guy.
  • neondonnie79
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Ryan L. Black 7/22/1976 - 7/22/2008
    Recently My Friend and Boss passed away. His name is Ryan L. Black he's fom Lake Arrowhead California. He was a huge Fan of the Grateful Dead, Rat Dog and so on. He Died last tuesday, early morning, he lived excatly 33 years. I thought posting this here would be a good memorial for him. The community here will miss him as well as all of us who knew him well. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers and thoughts. KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Once a man and twice a child, Everything on earth is just for a while. Bob Marley
  • culliganman007
    Joined:
    Thank you for your kind
    Thank you for your kind words , and if anyone discovers they knew him share a story
  • grdaed73
    Joined:
    peace b with u, culiganman007
    Andy, may the four winds take u gently homerest in peace friend
  • GratefulGigi
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    culliganman007.....
    So sorry for your loss of your best friend Andy,may he rest in Peace
  • marye
    Joined:
    so sorry for your loss, culligan...
    Healing beams to Andy's loved ones, and may he be happy dancing to Jer forever.
  • iknowurider
    Joined:
    Hey Culli ~
    Healing Beams Heading to Andy's friends & family, 'May the four winds blow you safely home.." PEACE
  • pkpotter
    Joined:
    Andy
    Very sorry to hear of this. Did not know him but he sounds like a wonderful man. Will be thinking of him and his family. Fare thee well fellow deadhead,we will miss you. peace,pk
  • culliganman007
    Joined:
    "Andy" Otherwise known as John Andrew Vojtko
    I wish to Inform the Deadhead community that my Best Friend in the entire world as passed and any fellow heads that would know him (and there were many, many heads)should know that this happened, particularily Tony in Portland that i do not know how to contact but I saw at the 2004 show there with the Dead. Andy was a model deadhead in his belief system or principals. Jerry would of have been proud to call him friend , he never wanted to be a typical fan or hassle anyone at anytime. He was my music partner we went to so many shows together , the ones on my profile is a small sampling. His knowledge of the music and the Dead plus numerous other band community was like a library of knowledge , The vault people could of used Andy. The following is his Obit and the DEADHEADS worldwide weather you knew him or not, should heed to his passing. His story is 30 years plus and amazing. It would take more space than I'm provided to tell the story from beginning to end. I have been given his music collection , which is quite extensive in tapes as well as CD's , Probably more than 3000 pieces or more. I will be cataloging this collection of live shows and all. The following is the OBIT , My Tears have flown for three days now since I found out. Yesterday was the big day for the furneral and being with his family. I have known Andy since we were 15 years old. John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko of Libertyville Visitation for John Andrew "Andy" Vojtko, 45, will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the services at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 29700 N. St. Mary's Road, Libertyville, with Pastor Robert Davis officiating. Born Aug. 18, 1962, in Libertyville, he passed away Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Andy had lived in the Libertyville-Mundelein area all his life. He was a 1980 graduate of Libertyville High School, received an associates degree from the College of Lake County and attended Illinois State University. He was a charter member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Libertyville and was employed as a cook at Winchester House for many years. Andy enjoyed music, model trains, the outdoors, various pets and cooking. Surviving are his parents, Gerald and Delores Vojtko of Libertyville; two sisters, Jane (Charles) Binning of Cornville, Ariz. and Lynne (Darren) Rogers of Wauconda; and his favorite nephew and niece, Ethan and Brianna Rogers. Memorial contributions can be made to your favorite charity. Arrangements were made by Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, Libertyville, 847-362-3009. Published in the Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on 6/27/2008.
  • grdaed73
    Joined:
    thx all
    4 all your kind words, showed my daughter, she appreciated them alot (who r these people, do u know them?she asked). happy trails tc
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Forums
Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.
user picture

Member for

14 years 10 months
Permalink

Loved this man and his music. Time to put on some music. Ohh, the shape I'm in!
user picture

Member for

16 years 1 month
Permalink

Sad, sad news, a real rock pioneer and one of the first singing drummers, loved this guy and his music, so sad, RIP Levon, it's ok, you can put the load on me.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Spare a few thoughts please for the Cambodian environmental activist and very brave man, murdered this week by military police while he was documenting illegal logging. I worked with him a lot. His death is another sad blow to the protection of Cambodia's forests and to the fight against totalitarianism and kleptocracy. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/27/cambodian-soldier-environme…
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

Chris Ethridge died April 23, 2012, at 65, in Meridian, Mississippi from pancreatic cancer. Chris played bass guitar and was a member of The Flying Burrito Brothers, along w Gram Parsons, Byron Berline, Al Perkins, Sneaky Pete Kleinow and Chris Hilman. Hot Burrito #2 was one of his country rock compositions. I wore out my vinyl album "Last of the Red Hot Burritos", a live recording with "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down", "Six Days on the Road" and a good version of "Orange Blossom Special". His first band was the International Submarine Band, with Parsons and Hilman, evolving into the Burritos. Chris did a lot of studio work with many other musicians, like Ry Cooder, Leon Russell, Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt. He toured with Willie Nelson for a few years, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwPTYimAE7E&feature=related
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 10 months
Permalink

My lil' dog Texas passed away today. He was 16 years old, he remembered the old days. God bless and keep our animal friends. Let's cherish them in the present and the past. Thanks for letting me share my loss. Cheers fellow music lovers!
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

Like marye I am also sorry for your loss. It's soo hard to lose a beloved pet.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

I first saw Doc at a Bluegrass Festival at Mole Lake, Wisconsen. Vassar Clements, John Hartford, Doc & Merle Watson, Lester Flatt Band, and many more, decades ago. But Doc's set seemed so special, Merle took his arm and led him to the chair in the middle of the stage. And then Doc & Merle led us all though a wonderful and intimate evening of music. Happy Trails, Doc. And thanks so much. http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/obit/story/2012-05-29/doc-watson-di… Doc Watson played the acoustic guitar with such pure precision that Bob Dylan once compared his picking to "water running." The folk-music icon, 89, died Tuesday, after a fall last week at his home in Deep Gap, N.C., and subsequent colon surgery. Blind from infancy, Watson grew up playing harmonica and a homemade banjo but learned guitar after his father bought him a $12 Stella acoustic when he was 13. Born Arthel Lane Watson, he picked up the nickname "Doc" at the suggestion of an audience member at a radio broadcast when he was in his teens. Though Watson was instrumental in developing the canon for 1960s folk musicians with his recordings of traditional tunes like Deep River Blues and Shady Grove, he didn't play just the music of the Appalachian Mountains. Before folklorist and musician Ralph Rinzler first recorded him backing old-time banjo player Clarence "Tom" Ashley in 1960, he worked with a local dance band, playing honky-tonk, rockabilly, pop and square-dance tunes. "His adaptations of fiddle tunes to the flattop guitar virtually reinvented the instrument's role in bluegrass," journalist John Milward wrote in liner notes for the 1999 compilation The Best of Doc Watson 1964-1968, which included Watson's versions of the Eddy Arnold country hit Tennessee Stud and Jimmie Rodgers' My Rough and Rowdy Ways. A master of both finger-picking and flat-picking styles, Watson was, along with Merle Travis and Chet Atkins, one of the most influential acoustic guitarists of the '50s and '60s. He played the 1963 and 1964 Newport Folk Festivals and became popular on the folk circuit, especially in New York and California. "He is single-handedly responsible for the extraordinary increase in acoustic flat-picking and finger-picking performance," Rinzler once wrote. "His flat-picking style has no precedent in early country music history." His appearance on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's 1972 Will the Circle Be Unbroken triple-album set took him to a wider audience, including fans of country, bluegrass and blues. "There may not be a serious, committed Baby Boomer alive who didn't at some point in his or her youth try to spend a few minutes at least trying to learn to pick a guitar like Doc Watson," President Bill Clinton said when presenting Watson his National Medal of the Arts in 1997. Watson also won seven Grammys over a 33-year period and received Grammy's lifetime achievement award in 2004. For many years, Watson toured with his son, Merle Watson, who died in a 1985 tractor accident. Merle's memory is honored by MerleFest, an annual North Carolina roots-music festival that the elder Watson hosted. Held on the last weekend in April since 1988, MerleFest draws more than 75,000 annually to Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C.
user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months
Permalink

i too just wanted to chime in on doc's passing. my first exposure to doc was on the nitty gritty dirt band's album, will the circle be unbroken. this timeless classic exposed me to an entire world of music, which i'm still hooked on to till this day. i was aware of the dead, but not until a few years later, and blues for allah, did i hear that 'other' element that, for me, is the dead. i guess i was in like 7th grade, and when i heard some of circle, i was mesmerized. it was my good fortune to have seen doc play live on many occasions, maybe as many as 10, including the doc and dawg tour with grissman. he was just one of my all-time favorites, and i am so glad he shared his unique talent with us. rip doc...
user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

Better late than never to the table -- one of the greats.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

To Merlefest this year (scheduling conflict), despite the nagging voice in the back of my head reminding me that Doc probably didn't have many years left. I should have listened to the voice. RIP Doctor Watson I presume. You made our world a better place.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

of Fahrenheit 451, but he also wrote the film script for Moby Dick, which I never knew. Wotta guy.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Ray Bradbury passing means that all of the favorites from my youth -- Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke, Heinlein, Herbert -- have gone from this mortal world. *Sigh*
user picture
Default Avatar
Permalink

poor old soul. i just saw that on the news this morning.how incredible nature is and let it continue to be so.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Bay Area folks who knew him from BGP (you saw him on stage many times...) will be sorry to know that he's gone. He passed on a few days ago; this article from last year will give you an idea of what he was like and the various doings of him and his brother Bob. I got to meet them once or twice. They were great.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Our beloved neighbor and friendHerb the Hippie. He loved all kinds of Jam Music and The Grateful Dead. He traveled 1000's of miles and lived on the road for years. His motorcycle his only need many miles. Diabetes took him in his sleep as his sugar dropped to it's last low. If you knew Herb; all is handled and there are no calling hours. Herb lived them while he was here. His cat is off to Mass to live with his nephew. If you didn't know Herb, he was a great friend. He wanted everyone to feel free and happy. Now you do. The neighborhood won't be the same. Herb the Hippie was 69. All the best ahead friend, go ride the skies! Happy and free, xo!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 4 months
Permalink

A very unhappy surprise to hear of Chris's passing. If you can find a copy of "L.A. Getaway" (probably only on vinyl), I recommend it to all. It was a one-time trio with guitarist Joel Scott Hill (with Canned Heat for a while), Chris on bass, and drummer Johnny Barbata (with the Turtles, and later Jefferson Starship). It came out in 1972, and I still treasure my copy of it.
user picture
Default Avatar
Permalink

Eric Sykes - born 4 May 1923; died 4 July 2012. wonderful, inspiring English comic actor and writer. he also co-wrote some episodes of The Goon Show with Spike Milligan and also co-founded Associated London Scripts, wrote some classic Frankie Howerd routines and the brilliant "Sykes And A..." and "Sykes", two excellent BBC comedies in the '60's to the late '70's. hard to explain how much joy he brought to me in my youth; with such superb comic timing and his effortless style, thinking of him brings back the fondest of memories. was also lucky enough to see him in a classic Pantomime (before they were populated by reality-show pond life) alongside the equally talented Jimmy Edwards; watching those two firing on all cylinders on the same stage made one hell of a lasting impression. sadly, sadly missed. bless you Eric Sykes for spreading so much laughter.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

15 years 2 months
Permalink

What a kind and loving send off for Herb the Hippie. What a great person to have as a neighbor....
user picture

Member for

16 years 1 month
Permalink

Keyboardist for Deep purple, co wrote smoke on the water and others passed away today from pancreatic cancer, he was 71. I saw this guy put this old wooden hammon organ on one leg and spin it around like a top while playing space truckin' in 1973, never saw anyone do that before or since. RIP Jon, your music is etched in my memory forever.
user picture

Member for

12 years 3 months
Permalink

Bill Doss - 1968-July 2012. co-founder of Olivier Tremor Control and The Elephant 6 Recording Company.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

In Memory of Jerry Garcia, xo. And All the Other Ones Too, xo. Feels like June 12th, kinda. Anniversary's are like that. Sometimes... In the beautiful light of the sunset, I sit knowing one day I'll be next. BUT... You gotta wait your turn or at least try to. Let's party while we wait... shall we? Clink -----> Salute! Love you Jerry! All Heaven's best blessing for you... forever and ever, Amen. XO ------------------------------------------(------@ --------------------------------------(------@ -----------------------------------------(------@ -----------------------------------------(-----@ ----------------------------------------(-------@ -------------------------------------------(-----@ -----------------------------------------(------@ --------------------------------------------(-----@ ------------------------------------------(-----@ --------------------------------------------(-----@
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

In Memory of Jerry Garcia, xo. And All the Other Ones Too, xo. Feels like June 12th, kinda. Anniversary's are like that. Sometimes... In the beautiful light of the sunset, I sit knowing one day I'll be next. BUT... You gotta wait your turn or at least try to. Let's party while we wait... shall we? Clink -----> Salute! Love you Jerry! All Heaven's best blessing for you... forever and ever, Amen. XO ------------------------------------------(------@ --------------------------------------(------@ -----------------------------------------(------@ -----------------------------------------(-----@ ----------------------------------------(-------@ -------------------------------------------(-----@ -----------------------------------------(------@ --------------------------------------------(-----@ ------------------------------------------(-----@ --------------------------------------------(-----@
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

Sorry Gypsy for the loss of your friend. I wonder if I'd ever bumped into him at any of the many shows I'd been to?Looking forward to seeing you at Red Rocks in 3 weeks.
user picture

Member for

12 years 3 months
Permalink

Allan Horsfall 1927-2012. English gay activist and, as a member of the Homosexual Law Reform Society, helped to bring about the decriminalisation of male homosexual activity in 1967. In 2009 he was interviewed for the Millthorpe oral history project; the recording can be accessed at the Sound Archive of the British Library. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/11/allan-horsfall-obituary
user picture

Member for

12 years 3 months
Permalink

David S Ware, born 7 November 1949; died 18 October 2012. 'musically to go so deep that you touch upon those universal forces'
user picture

Member for

12 years 3 months
Permalink

Clive Dunn - born January 1920; died 6 November 2012. finally succumbing to the old cold steel. goodbye dear Lance Corporal Jones.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

In Memory of All the Soldiers and Veterans of Both Sides of Any Side and Every side... in the Battles of the devil, guaranteeing him a take every time. If we find World Peace- the devil gets shit. The Children are loved and life is not a delivered, unwanted Hell. May you sense my loving Arms, near you, today and forever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1GmxMTwUgs The supplication spans more generations than that of only today. A thousand years ago is really only yesterday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHooH4464dQ Thank you whole-hearted-ly for your service and dedication and for shering righteousness in the most- selfless of ways. Is there none intelligent enough to beat the wiles of the devil? Perhaps, I may have to write a letter to help with that. Until peace is on Earth, know your sights are always prayed for, extra. In love and light- God Bless Us- Everyone, Amen.
user picture

Member for

12 years 3 months
Permalink

Sir Patrick Moore - 4 March 1923; 9 December 2012. Astronomer, broadcaster, author and xylophonist. To not see and hear The Sky At Night is unthinkable at present. A true inspiration. "He will be irreplaceable, but we can celebrate his long and productive life. He inspired literally millions, young and old, with his enthusiasms for the wonders in the sky,"
user picture

Member for

14 years 10 months
Permalink

A master of his instrument and instrumental in bringing the exotic sounds of the East to us. RIP Ravi. I'm sure we'll be hearing you play in your next reincarnation.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

In Memory of... My Father who died yesterday. I am at such a loss. Dealt the Aces and 8's hand and is leaving me behind. He was such an amazing person. I will have to stop back with a story or two. Tomorrow is forever, xoxoxoxo God Bless You- All -EveryOne, XO!
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

Sorry Sherbear about the loss of your father.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Thank you marye I am at such a loss I can only await the inspiration that must lie sleeping through this circumstance somewhere I have hope but am in absolute absence of it now. I'll be better on Monday, unquestionably better- is questionable. Thanks a bunch. xo
user picture

Member for

12 years 2 months
Permalink

Thank you for a forum like this. I know am not alone on how much we miss our loved ones who have departed to early. I have 32 friends lost to our way of living back in the day. Wether car accident or touring in generagl. way to many passed on to early to young. But they will bve waiting for us when we all get home.I know and trust that in my heart of hearts. To name a few would not be fair to all those others so I wont go there. I have to name my Dear Gina who I miss everyday. Life can be so unfair it seems. I know this much when my day comes to go to heaven she will be rite there waiting for me. I know this without conviction. The most gentle love I have ever had. I miss us Gina and yet NEVER had a relationship end in total blissfull love so for this I am grateful. To all that have lost loved ones your in my deepest prayers. Much love to us all here still
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

It's 1/19/2013, a birthday for remembering! Remembering the greatness and the fantastic-ness of Bear! In Memory of him and In Honor of those he left behind for the threshold of transition into the best "trip" ever. I attempt to not envy but much to my dismay I fail and await my "trip". We all get direction just not all in the same direction. Bear's was awesome and undeniably unique and just being able to sher in that...delightful. He has been such an inspiration to me. I am indebted but free. My taste so comparable to his. My eyes and ears and my world basked in it all. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAR ...it's like I told you... http://owsleystanleyfoundation.org/index.html
user picture

Member for

16 years 1 month
Permalink

Just heard Alvin Lee passed yesterday, routine medical procedure gone bad, he was 68. Loved this guys guitar style, saw Ten Years After many times, good times. RIP sir, another one for the heart of gold band. Also just heard that Ed Cassidy, drummer extrodinaire, passed Dec 6th last year, Father Spirit left us with some great music and he was a real sweet guy, massive arms and the upper body strength of a weightlifter, when he shook my hand, you could feel every muscle moving, that's what 75 years of drumming will do to you. He was 89 and played right up to his death. Randy and him are together again in the spirit in the sky band. RIP my brothers
user picture

Member for

15 years 3 months
Permalink

...the women all play bingo and the men are gettin stinko and they think no more of Inco on a Sudbury Saturday Night.. Goodbye Stompin' Tom You will be missed around these parts.
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

A belated memorial to Ron McKernan. RIP "Pigpen". 9/8/45 - 3/8/73