Rich Dangle RIP
bluesfantom
and a decent guitarist who could flat pick the blues as well as ... well.
When I saw him with the fabulous Wailers (the boys from Tacoma), they had
mentioned what a big influence Bobby Bland was on them in the late 50s.
They also like to tell folks if it hadn't been for them, there would be no
Kingsmen. It was also posted to me that Ernestine Allen was to play with
Dangle's band from Dec 26th to the 31st. No word on that yet.
tom
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It is with profound regret that this message is one of deep sadness. Richard
Dangel, our great and wonderful friend, sensational person, and one of the
greatest guitar players in the world passed away unexpectedly. He was
discovered in his north Seattle home by his close friend Charlotte on
Tuesday
evening after failing to answer his phone and door. Richard celebrated his
60th birthday Sunday December 1, at the Swiss Club in Tacoma, Washington,
performing with his Butter Bean band with members Michael Kinder and Buck
Englund. Several musician friends attended the event to jam with Rich and
wish him a happy birthday. The group was in top form that night, with Rich
playing as amazingly as always, and as great as we have ever heard him. He
will not only be sorely missed by his enormous family of musician friends,
but by the world of music, his fans, and so many who have been entertained,
inspired, and have learned so much from this wonderfully talented man.
Kent Morrill and I feel blessed to have had Richard as our long and devoted
friend. Luckily we jammed with Rich and the boys on his birthday. It's been
a
long run, and always an honor to perform with Rich as a fellow fabulous
Wailer. We are fortunate to have so many fond memories of Richard and his
impressive contribution to the world of music, whether it was jazz, blues,
rock n roll, funk, Rich knew it, well. He had so much more to offer. Rest in
peace now Richard. We all love you.
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Jef Jaisun
gathering for Rich in Tacoma. Several hundred friends -- many of them
musicians who performed with Rich -- and family members shared some
wonderful memories of a man who literally defined blues/rock guitar in
the Northwest for over four decades.
As guitarist for the Fabulous Wailers, Rich's influence and style has
been routinely cited by guitarists as diverse as George Harrison,
Keith Richards, Van Morrison and hundreds -- maybe thousands -- of
guitarists. He counted people like B.B. King among his personal
friends.
Rich had more taste and tone in his little finger than most aspiring
guitarists amass in a lifetime. He could move fluidly between styles
without missing a beat, didn't matter if it was blues, jazz, rock,
R&B...you name it, Rich could play it, and play it well. In addition,
he was one of the nicest, most unassuming guys you'd ever want to
meet.
Glowing tributes were read from those who were unable to attend,
including jazz icon Larry Coryell (who shared a houseboat with Rich in
the early Sixties). Don Wilson of the legendary Ventures marvelled
allowed, "Can you imagine? He wrote his first Top Ten hit at the age
of what, 16?"
One of Rich's former band mates quipped, to knowing chuckles from just
about every musician in the place, "I'm pretty sure somebody in Heaven
went up to God and said, "Um, y'know, the band just isn't happening.
We need help. Can you get us Rich Dangel?"
More than one speaker yesterday referred to Rich as "the Architect of
Northwest Rock-n-Roll." That may be as accurate a description of his
career --and as high a tribute-- as anyone can pay his memory. Without
Dangel tunes like "Tall Cool One" and "Dirty Robber," the Northwest
Sound as we know it may never have developed. What Rich may be noted
for more than anything else is his arrangement of the rock classic
"Louie, Louie." The Wailers recorded the tune before the Kingsmen,
though it was the latter group whose version became enshrined in the
halls of rock and roll. Next time you hear it, pay close attention to
the guitar solo...it was "borrowed" almost note for note from Rich's
recording with the Wailers.
If you can find an original LP of the Wailers "Live at the Spanish
Castle," you've got a legit collector's item. Fortunately, the music
has been released on CD. Check out http://www.thefabulouswailers.com/
For more bio info on Rich Dangel, see
http://www.thefabulouswailers.com/biorich.htm.
In the last year, the Northwest has lost more that its share of
influential blues guitarists. Dave Conant and Isaac Scott just to name
a couple, and now Rich. None of these guys were over 60. In fact,
Conant was six days shy of making that mark, and Isaac was only 56.
Longevity, for some reason, doesn't seem to come with the blues
territory nearly often enough. Needless to say, we miss all these
guys.
Rich Dangel was a wonderful human being and brilliant musician. The
day before he checked out he got to jam with many of his lifelong
friends at his 60th birthday party. My guess is most of us would
settle for such a grand send-off.
Jef Jaisun
On 17 Dec 2002 05:56:07 -0800, blues...@sisna.com (bluesfantom)
wrote:
>I just had this posted to me. Rather important individual to the NW scene
>and a decent guitarist who could flat pick the blues as well as ... well.
>When I saw him with the fabulous Wailers (the boys from Tacoma), they had
>mentioned what a big influence Bobby Bland was on them in the late 50s.
>They also like to tell folks if it hadn't been for them, there would be no
>Kingsmen. It was also posted to me that Ernestine Allen was to play with
>Dangle's band from Dec 26th to the 31st. No word on that yet.
>
>tom
>**********************