RIP

Rest in Peace, genius: Brian Wilson (1942-2025)

Brian Douglas Wilson was 82 years old.  As sure as Beethoven and Bach were geniuses, so was Brian.  Born, raised and embodying California, Brian Wilson and his music was entwined with my life from an early age.

When I was a kid, riding in the passenger side next to my Uncle Paul, he would always pop a Beach Boys tape into his deck.  “Little Deuce Coupe” was a favourite.  He loved that early Beach Boys; the surf rock.  My mom grew up on that music too, but it was Uncle Paul who played it the most.

My wife Jen and her dad David always loved the Beach Boys.  She danced to “Surfer Girl” with him at our wedding.

Last summer, my dad and I watched a Brian Wilson documentary on TV.  We were both spellbound both by the man and his music.  My dad told me that my grandfather considered moving to California in the 1950s.  Imagine how different things would have been.  I’d never have been born.

Brian was a visionary composer, perhaps to his own detriment.  He was able to see forward, beyond what the producers of the time told him was possible or commercial.  He stretched his boundaries in composition and production, creating layers of music previously unimagined.  Unable to achieve his fullest visions at the time, the Smile album (1966) was shelved and Brian spiraled with depression and substances.  He became the butt of jokes, which was tragic.  It was good to see him return to making music before it was too late.

Rest in peace, you genius.

#1098: Today I Feel Very Special – An Uncle Paul Story

RECORD STORE TALES #1098: Today I Feel Very Special – An Uncle Paul Story

Today we lay my Uncle Paul to rest.  I learned something about him yesterday that I never really realized before.

Sunday was the visitation.  These are always a storm of mixed feelings.  You’re sad, you’re exhausted, and there are dozens of people to meet.  It was wonderful to hear so many people say loving things about my dear uncle.  He was clearly well liked by his friends and colleagues.  There were a lot of happy memories shared, introductions made, and friends to catch up with.

I was happy to see two of my best friends in the world after long absences:  the legendary Bob Schipper and the beloved Peter Cavan with his sister Joanne.  I have not seen any of them since, well, the last funerals.  We are all a little older now, and time has taken its toll, but the faces were the same.  It is good to know that my uncle had such an impact on my friends that they would drive to Stratford to honour a man they were not related to.  That’s just how my uncle was.  I heard lots of the same words today, over and over:  kind, thoughtful, attentive, caring, warm.

The thing that I did not expect to learn was a story repeated twice by two different co-workers of his.  They both said that he spoke of my sister and I fondly, all the time.  All the time, as if we were his own kids.

I knew that he considered us like his own, but I didn’t know how he spoke of us so often.  He had pictures of us in his office along with other family photos.  He must have said some pretty amazing things because the two co-workers we met specially wanted to tell us this about him.  I really did not know.

He always took interest in what we were doing and wanted to know what games we were playing and what music we were listening to.  He liked fast songs about cars.  I know I played “Slick Black Cadillac” by Quiet Riot for him when I was just a grade school kid.  I hope he liked it.

Thank you Uncle Paul.  We say goodbye today but the stories will live on forever.

In Loving Memory of Paul Joseph Ladano

Here is Uncle Paul’s official obituary.  It only scratches the surface.  I have so much more to add.

 

Paul Joseph Ladano, age 77, of Stratford Ontario, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 27, 2023 at West Perth Village, Mitchell. Born in Guelph, ON. Son of the late Joseph and Helen (Thompson) Ladano. Paul is survived by his true love and soulmate Maria (Festoso) Ladano. Paul will be remembered by his brother Don (Bonnie) Ladano, his niece Kathryn and nephew Michael and his wife Jennifer along with the Festoso Family and many nieces and nephews. 

Paul was a long-term employee with National Trust/Scotia Bank, retiring as Vice-President. Paul and Maria for many years enjoyed their cottage on Lake Huron, trips and many outings with his beloved Barracuda. Paul was truly an enthusiast of Mopar Cars, and he and Maria volunteered for many years at the Mopar Fest held in New Hamburg every year. 

Paul was the epitome of a true gentleman and always enjoyed family get-togethers for food and laughter.

Not only was he a true gentleman, but he had many friends.  He would be the first one to offer his seat, or to ask if you needed anything.  Though he loved quiet time alone watching the races on TV, he was rich in friendship.

He was a car expert.  Any movie or TV show, he could identify the vehicles.  He would always know when a car that was too new for a period piece was used by mistake.  You couldn’t sneak it past him.

He loved Christmas, ornaments and TV specials.  It will be weird knowing he’s not here to enjoy this Christmas.  We will miss him more than usual this year.

 

R.I.P. Eddie Money (1949 – 2019)

Edward Mahoney was a cop.  As Eddie Money, he was a star.  “Take Me Home Tonight” and “Two Tickets to Paradise” will be played on radio stations forever.  Thank you for the music Eddie Money.

At age 70, Eddie succumbed to cancer of the esophagus.  A long hard struggle.  We hope his family finds peace in this difficult time.

 

Rest in peace Eddie Money.

 

 

 

R.I.P. Peter Mayhew (1944-2019)

Rrrrrhh Rrrhhh Rrrrrrhhhhhh.  That’s Wookiee for “We will miss you, Peter Mayhew”.

The 7′ 3″ British actor is best loved as the original Chewbacca in five of the Star Wars films.  In his final film, The Force Awakens, he shared the Chewbacca role with his successor Joonas Suotamo.  Mayhew mastered the art of performing in a massive costume and mask, imbuing the character with life.  His expertise was called on twice more, as a consultant on The Last Jedi and Solo.

Chewbacca would make my “top 10 sidekicks” list any day.  As kids we all loved Chewie for his raw strength and loveable personality.  Peter gave him that personality.  Rest in peace.

RIP Stephen Hawking

The most brilliant mind in a generation has gone.  Stephen Hawking’s impact will be felt for generations more.

You may be familiar with A Brief History of Time, but are you familiar with Hawking’s musical debut, “Keep Talking”?

Pink Floyd used Hawking’s voice in their 1994 track from The Division Bell.  Please enjoy as we remember the great Stephen Hawking.  Rest in peace.

RIP Pat Torpey (1959-2018)

If any single person in the rock world seemed destined to keep on truckin’ despite a terrible diagnosis, it was Pat Torpey.  Even though he had Parkinson’s disease, he was still participating in Mr. Big in every way except physically playing the drums.  He wrote the parts and oversaw their performance by Matt Starr.  He was in the videos. He was so positive and inspiring in interview footage.

This debilitating disease finally took Torpey’s life at age 64.

This one hurts.  Mr. Big is one of those underrated bands made up of fantastic players, but largely ignored.  They had the dreaded “one hit” (“To Be With You”), but that’s not the song we’ll use here to remember Pat Torpey.

Listen to the power, precision and sheer rock and roll that is Pat Torpey on “Addicted to that Rush”.

Rest in peace.

R.I.P. “Fast” Eddie Clarke (1950-2018)

And then there were none.  “Fast” Eddie Clarke, the last original member of Motorhead, has passed to the great beyond at age 67, of pneumonia.

Our correspondent Uncle Meat is quoted as follows:  “Whatever people are calling heaven these days just got louder than everyone else.  RIP Fast Eddie…and hello to the reunion of the band that used to be here to kick your ass.”

The original Motorhead was decimated in recent years, with “Philthy Animal” Taylor and Lemmy both passing in late 2015.  Now the three are reunited, jamming again whilst Michael Jackson and George Michael plug their ears in agony.  Motorhead is dead — long live Motorhead!

“Fast” Eddie should be recognised almost as much for his notable band Fastway (with Pete Way of UFO).  Post-Motorhead, Fastway are often remembered as the band who did the soundtrack to Trick Or Treat in 1986.  1983’s Fastway and 1984’s All Fired Up were also notable entries in the genre.

It should be stated for the record, that “Fast” Eddie was far from “Heavy Metal Bullshit”. You will be reading more about “Heavy Metal Bullshit” in the months to come. “Fast” Eddie was old fashioned and greasy, able to groove with the baddest bass player on Earth. Listen to his playing on “Bomber”. It’s all meat and gravy, no fat.

Rest in peace “Fast” Eddie!

R.I.P. Chris Cornell 1964-2017

A moment of utter shock:  waking up on the morning of May 18 2017 to discover that Chris Cornell, the pipes behind Soundgarden, Audioslave and Temple of the Dog, has passed away at age 52.  One of the greatest (if not the greatest) set of lungs behind the grunge era is gone.

According to the BBC, Cornell played a concert with Soundgarden last night in Detroit.  His passing was “sudden and unexpected”.  The family is asking for privacy at this time.

What are your memories of Chris Cornell?  For us it’s the psychedelic and insane video for “Jesus Christ Pose”, a landmark of the grunge era and a showcase for his finest lead vocals.

R.I.P Chris Cornell.

R.I.P. Paul O’Neill 1956-2017

There was a time when Paul O’Neill (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Savatage’s “sixth member”) was my favourite lyricist, period.  He did, after all, write the most emotional rock opera I’ve ever experienced (Streets, by Savatage).  More people are familiar with TSO than Savatage, but for me, the impact that Paul’s music had on my soul via Savatage cannot be measured.

Rest in peace.