It is true. I just got off the phone with his wife Laurie not 2 minutes ago. He collapsed in his workshop yesterday morning and was unresponsive to the efforts of the paramedics. The cause is yet to be determined. I told her that I would post this information here, at her request, as to deflect any further inquiries and allow the family their much needed time and space.
Chris, you were a great mind to connect with during those long phone conversations we had so often. My hands shake and my eyes fill with tears as I type this. The harmonica world has lost one of the greatest of our generation. I will miss you Buddha, I will see you again.
I don't know where to start... I don't post on the forum too much, honestly i don't have enough time to do that but I read all the posts you guys write here, quite often.
This morning I was reading about Chris being banned and I wrote him a couple of lines on skype waiting for him to be online.
He built harps for me, among the best i've ever played, we shared a wonderful conversation live on skype and he honoured me with his honest friendship and advices.
I respected him a lot as a musician and as friend and he always had beautiful words for me and my music, I really don't know what to say.
Maybe it's not even too right for me being here writing these lines and sharing them with you guys, i mean oh well... but I'm still thinkin he's gonna check them in a few minutes...
yeah I'm missing him already, sure we're gonna meet again someday big man, it's ok...
I just started taking lessons from him 2 weeks ago. I immediatly liked the guy.........at first I thought this was a joke but now it doesn't seem possible you guys are joking.
I'm a very sad about this and my heart goes out to his family and close friends.
Hope it's a bad joke. Despite his style of online conversation he was a great musician and harmonica player. His lessons was too pricey for my taste, I wanted to take it someday. I can't forgive myself I didn't take that lesson. His critique insulted me at least twice, but it was completely adequate critique and it gave me a kick to practice more. RIP, Buddha. ---------- Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
Heaven will now have a corner devoted to funky harmonica playing. Chris' playing had a huge effect on me, he opened doors that I didn't know existed. He will be missed and we are all diminished in his absence.
I hope this is some sort of joke, but all signs point to it not being. I texted him yesterday and he never responded, which is really odd (typically he'll call me immediately).
I know many on the board will throw a fit in their heads, if not on a thread, but yesterday I was working outside listening to music and the song "Pretty Angry" came on by Blues Traveler. I always skip that song hadn't heard it in at least 5 years, but I felt compelled to listen to it. It is all about the passing of BT's original bassist and Popper's best friend, Bobby Sheenan.
Anyways, about 2/3 of the way through, my iPod just stopped working. It wasn't that it ran out of battery, and for 100% nothing had bumped it...later in the day I just started getting misty-eyed and it hit me that I would eventually have to morn the loss of a loved one.
I know this post probably doesn't make any sense, but so many weird things happened around here yesterday that I can't call it all random. Even stuff I heard on the radio...checking on my daughter excessively while she napped (to make sure she was ok)....all this crazy shit happening all day long. I went to bed even commenting on it to my wife. Then, boom, first thing I see when I pick up my phone is that word is Chris passed.
At risk of getting banned, which I don't even care about anymore, I don't believe in a creator god or the traditional definition of ghosts, nor do I believe how some have chosen to define karma...I think astrology has little to do with astrology and more about psychology...but I do know for 100% that everything is cause and effect and those effects can linger forever.
While he may be gone as we know him, Chris and his actions, both good and bad, will echo throughout time and have a direct and indirect impact on the universe. Maybe it is more complicated and his energy or ghost or whatever was calling out yesterday, but for 100% his contributions to the world have had an impact on me and influence my future behavior. He was and will continue to be an exceptional teacher.
If this is some sort of sick joke, then I will look like a nut, although, I guess one could argue that his intent and reaction from the world maybe played tricks with my mind, but I don't have a lot of close friends and the ones I do have all live away from me...I have always considered Chris a good friend, even more so when not talking harmonica. Those who knew him personally know what he is really about and will miss him greatly.
What a sad shock! When I seen the topic of this thread I thought it was a joke somehow related to recent forum issues here Im not totally up on since I havent bothered to keep up with the nonsense. But it seems to not be a joke.
I really liked Chris and held many emails with him off list in which he always responded with helpful tips to help guide me. No other harmonica player at a professional level ever shared so much for free with me on a one on one level. He was wonderful & nothing but kind on our lesson via skype. I spent quite a bit of time around him at SPAH & it was a pleasure to speak to and know him. I enjoyed the little bit of his music I was able to experience & the custom harmonica he built for me stands as the best harmonica I own.
----------
~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
I have a strong feeling Chris would love this. I got to know Chris as a person from Buddha's Garden. I was a moderator on it. See you on the other side Buddy.
---------- Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind How you doin'
Last Edited by on Dec 17, 2010 6:08 AM
Sad news to hear of such a young person passing. I really feel sad for his family. I was looking forward to meeting him at last years Bean Blossom Blues Fest, but he wasn't able to make it. ---------- Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
Incredibly shocking and sad news. My prayers go out to his family, friends, and everyone he has impacted throughout the harp community. I was waiting for the day when I could afford the luxury of a Buddha harp and lesson. He will be missed by many. This thread, of all, better end up longer than any pointless bickering ones that have preceded it, if only to show our respect and condolensces. God Bless
I think it's painfully ironic that Sirsucksalot started this threat, as this definitely sucks more than a lot.
While not casting any aspersions on anyone for anything said on other threads -- that is NOT my intent -- I think this demonstrates what is important and what is not so much.
HarpNinja, I received a Seydel 1847 Silver C-harp (my model of choice) from Rupert about a week ago, and it seemed much more responsive than their already-good harmonicas had in the past. I then played the one Chris customized for me and thought about how much better it was even than this already-great-out-of-the-box harp. I was literally getting on the computer thinking about how I wanted to tell Chris this, when I learned of his passing.
His passing was confirmed by Brenden Power on Harp-L, who got the news directly from hia widow. Chris and I agreed far more often than we ever disagreed on forums. His postings, much like the way the majority of pros often talk, were often very brutally honest and if you're gonna be a pro, you have to develop thick skin because that's the way it is, like it or not and learn to avoid taking that stuff personally, but some players just can't do that.
Brenden made mention on his Harp-L post that Chris' bark was far worse than his bite and that's actually not uncommon with many pro players.
He's now in a better place, so rest in peace, Chris. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
BBQ Bob, you nailed it. I can affirm that Chris was a really good guy who would not hesitate to be honest, but also was quick with a compliment when he believed it to be warranted. He gave a lot of himself and I'd hope that people who only saw the "bark" side would listen closely to what the rest of us have to say about him. Everyone could learn something from him, and not just about harmonica. Even when I disagreed with something he said, I was glad that he made me think about it.
I'm getting teary as I reflect on the selfless generosity of this man and what he has done for the harmonica world and doubtless other worlds that he inhabited in his daily life.
His posts may have seemed egotistical, but his actions (and his speaking) were consistent with one who lives their life in service to others.
My fondest personal memory was an evening on skype when he and I stayed up late and shot the shit...he kept sending me youtube links sharing music he was into and I would noodle along on harp or melodica, I was having a very rough night and hanging with him really turned it around for me...
Tooka, is there a way to provide a link to your photo of him? I would love a copy, and I'm sure others would too.---------- Shane
To me, Chris had a personna like the late Dale Earnhardt. Some loved him, some hated him, no in betweens, but respect for his talents couldn't be overlooked.
I did not know him personnally and I very rarely interacted with him on the forum. Nevertheless, I feel for eveyone in this thread who have lost a great teacher and friend. My condolences to all of you and my thoughts go to his family as well.
Man, what a shocker, and what a loss. You know, people talk about how expensive his sessions were, but he gave me a terrific session that lasted about 4 hours, just for buying him and his friend dinner.
I bought a Turner Mic from Chris a while a go. It was one that Dennis Gruenling made for him for helping him out. It was a great price and it is still my go to mic. I will never sell it now. He will leave a big hole in the Harp community. Rest easy big guy. Russ ---------- Oxharp
This is a sobering reminder of the reality of death. Who would have guessed 3 days ago , this would be the topic today? See what is really of value in life and pursue it. Call your Mom, call your Dad, or kids. Tell them you love them. Any of us may not be here tomorrow, Steve ---------- My YT http://www.youtube.com/user/sjeter61?feature=mhum
RIP. Chris and I didn't get along, but I'm still very sorry to hear of his passing. I know he meant a lot to many people here, and I'll admit I enjoyed a lot of his posts too. I wish things hadn't been so rancorous between us. My heart goes out to his widow and his friends.
