Many, many musicians have left us over the last few years, both internationally and at a local level here in Trinidad.
Some were close, close friends. Some deaths were natural, some were suicides.
The hardest part about losing someone close to you is that you never have a chance to properly say goodbye, especially when it's sudden. But then again, saying 'last goodbyes' is not something anyone does well.
And I don't think anyone plans their 'last goodbye speech'.
Every death, whether of a musician friend or an artist I admire has left a void in my life. And I naively thought that these people were going to be in my life for a long, long time.
And I know that I have been putting a benefit concert on hold for a long time now, the one for my oldest friend who died suddenly two years ago. And honestly, I know that it must be done, but emotionally, I'm not at that point where I can give it my best.
When you spend so many years with someone playing music and they're not there anymore, even though you're not in a band, it just feels so strange to continue playing the music you made together. It just brings back too many bittersweet memories.
Everything comes rushing back, almost as if on memory overload.
But I know I have to do it sooner or later. I know that I will have to put aside the pain and play the music of my teenage years.
But in the meantime, I'm brushing up my chops, practicing as often as I can and enjoying music in my own space.
And for all those who have left this life, thank you so much for your music.
Safe travels to the next life - Andrew Moffat, George Elias, Justin Lee, Marc Thavenot, Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Greg Allman, Prince, David Bowie, Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul, Good Downie.
May each and every one of you rest in peace.
Some were close, close friends. Some deaths were natural, some were suicides.
The hardest part about losing someone close to you is that you never have a chance to properly say goodbye, especially when it's sudden. But then again, saying 'last goodbyes' is not something anyone does well.
And I don't think anyone plans their 'last goodbye speech'.
Every death, whether of a musician friend or an artist I admire has left a void in my life. And I naively thought that these people were going to be in my life for a long, long time.
And I know that I have been putting a benefit concert on hold for a long time now, the one for my oldest friend who died suddenly two years ago. And honestly, I know that it must be done, but emotionally, I'm not at that point where I can give it my best.
When you spend so many years with someone playing music and they're not there anymore, even though you're not in a band, it just feels so strange to continue playing the music you made together. It just brings back too many bittersweet memories.
Everything comes rushing back, almost as if on memory overload.
But I know I have to do it sooner or later. I know that I will have to put aside the pain and play the music of my teenage years.
But in the meantime, I'm brushing up my chops, practicing as often as I can and enjoying music in my own space.
And for all those who have left this life, thank you so much for your music.
Safe travels to the next life - Andrew Moffat, George Elias, Justin Lee, Marc Thavenot, Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Greg Allman, Prince, David Bowie, Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul, Good Downie.
May each and every one of you rest in peace.
