Gregory Michael Amov, programmer & musician, 1959-2009, RIP.
sdavmor
it is with regret, but also relief, that I pass on that Systems
Theory band-member, long-time dbms programmer and computer teacher
Greg Amov died last night after a hard few months battling cancer
for the second time. Some of you may recall that he had esophageal
cancer three years ago. Eventually it came back, became systemic,
and it was the cancer that had spread to his brain that took him
away from us.
Amidst the turmoil and sorrow of his death, I'd like to say that
it was very peaceful and quiet at his end, which was a relief after
all the physical struggle of the last few weeks. It was clear to
everyone around him during the afternoon that it would be sometime
Tuesday, so his family convened to be with him. His wife was at
his side when the final breath was taken.
I do not yet know exactly what sort of memorial there will be,
or when / where it will be held. But something appropriate to
Greg's life and beliefs will be organized soon. I will pass on
that information when I have it.
Thanks to all that contacted the family through me and through
Systems Theory to express hope, support, sympathy, wishes for a
speeding passing, etc. That various branches of the progressive
music community, and those that he worked with closely on recent
programming projects, had been in touch with me meant a great a
deal to Greg. Hundreds of emails, text messages and comments were
posted to various forums in his final weeks, and that he was so
well-regarded and admired means a great deal to me personally as
his best friend of 32 years.
In the midst of the sadness of his passing, let me add a bright
note. Last night I got access to Greg's pair of music computers
(named "Fripp" and "Eno" after two stellar musicians he admired).
Everything that I could have hoped to find musically was there --
the masters for his two OOP CDs were there, plus several unreleased
completed projects, some long-forgotten projects, and new tunes
earmarked for both solo, Systems Theory and ViolinCyndee. So there
will be new music under his name in the next year or so, as well as
the re-release of wonderful "The Dark Within The Dark" (2001) and
"Gecko Highway" (2005) albums.
--
Regards, and thanks, SDM -- a 21st Century Schizoid Man
Systems Theory music project: <www.systemstheory.net>
on MySpace: <www.myspace.com/systemstheory>
on GarageBand: <www.garageband.com/systemstheory>
on Last FM: <www.last.fm/music/Systems+Theory>
on CDBaby: CDBaby <www.cdbaby.com/all/systemstheory>
get "Codetalkers" *free* at <www.mikedickson.org.uk/codetalkers>
NP: nowt
Tony Elka
sdavmor <sda...@fakeemailaddy.com> wrote:
It is terrible to lose a friend, but it is a fine thing that his music
can continue to be heard, thanks in no small part to your efforts. I
hope you can take some comfort and even joy in that.
Tony
Tony Gravagno
Tony Elka wrote:
>It is terrible to lose a friend, but it is a fine thing that his music
>can continue to be heard, thanks in no small part to your efforts. I
>hope you can take some comfort and even joy in that.
I echo the sentiment. Greg will be missed. There is comfort in
knowing that he was with loved ones, and that he has a legacy of
creativity which will carry on.
TobyK - thanks for putting the info on PickWiki.
TG
sdavmor
[snip]
> It is terrible to lose a friend, but it is a fine thing that his
> music can continue to be heard, thanks in no small part to your
> efforts. I hope you can take some comfort and even joy in that.
>
> Tony
I shall do right by him with all the music that is in the vault. And
Mike Dickson and I will also do right by him as we assemble a final
Systems Theory offering.
--
Cheers, SDM -- a 21st Century Schizoid Man
sdavmor
> Steven - thanks for the notice.
>
> Tony Elka wrote:
>> It is terrible to lose a friend, but it is a fine thing that his
>> music can continue to be heard, thanks in no small part to your
>> efforts. I hope you can take some comfort and even joy in that.
>
> I echo the sentiment. Greg will be missed. There is comfort in
> knowing that he was with loved ones, and that he has a legacy of
> creativity which will carry on.
There's enough good material of his for at least three releasable CD
projects. And then there's the fragments and under construction demos
intended for Systems Theory and ViolinCyndee. Those will be more work,
but since they would have gone to collaborators for fleshing out the
fact that some are fairly rough isn't a problem. They will all find
proper homes.
> TobyK - thanks for putting the info on PickWiki.
>
> TG
[nods to Toby] Thanks, my old JES compadre. I hadn't even thought
about doing that.
--
Cheers, SDM -- a 21st Century Schizoid Man
sdavmor
when he first went away to university:
<http://musicology.typepad.com/dialm/2009/11/the-dark-within-the-dark.html>
--
Cheers, SDM -- a 21st Century Schizoid Man
Systems Theory music project: <www.systemstheory.net>
on MySpace: <www.myspace.com/systemstheory>
on GarageBand: <www.garageband.com/systemstheory>
on Last FM: <www.last.fm/music/Systems+Theory>
on CDBaby: CDBaby <www.cdbaby.com/all/systemstheory>
get "Codetalkers" *free* at <www.mikedickson.org.uk/codetalkers>
NP: Greg Amov "Gecko Highway"
