MY DAD... <added music>

**bassybill** · #1 03-02-2009, 01:56 PM

... is 79, and isn't giving up the ghost just yet. But sometimes he seems as if he's getting close.

He's been drumming and arranging music for sixty years. He had heart attacks and a bypass operation back in 1989, and another heart attack in 2006, but he only stopped gigging about 18 months ago. That was hard for me to hear - imagine realising you're not fit enough to keep playing your instrument anymore.

Now his drums are permanently set up at my place where they get the use they deserve from the pair of us (he lives just up the road). He hasn't the space for a permanent setup, whereas I have. And he's still writing charts and telling bands how to play them properly.

And then today - he goes to a rehearsal to put a band through their paces with some of his stuff. Finishes the session, and then passes out while he's taking a leak afterwards before coming home. Smack, straight on the floor. That's a pretty common problem for older guys, I've just found out online. He gets a ride to hospital in an ambulance. I get a call saying he's in there, could I get over real quick. Anyway, I get there, wait around three hours for tests and stuff (nothing conclusive) and then get to bring him back to his house.

Phew. What a day...

Pilgrim · #2 03-02-2009, 01:58 PM

Enjoy him! he's doing his best to do the things he likes, and you should treasure the experience of being with him. The clock is ticking, and we never know when it will run down.

tom e smith · #3 03-02-2009, 02:09 PM

Your Dad's story is inspirational. I'm 52 and sometimes wonder how many playing days I have left (you do this kinda cr*p at my age). I just hope I get to do what I love as long as your dad and I hope when I go it is with a bass strapped around my neck.

Chunk-O-Funk · #4 03-02-2009, 02:14 PM

Sorry to hear it.
I hope everything is okay. Perhaps playing the drums was just a little to strenuous for him.

My Mom's in her eighties now and it's not easy seeing the ones we love get old. She doesn't look her age and when visiting her there is always a segment where she reminds me about how she's getting old and how her legs aren't what they use to be. I don't like to hear her talk like that, but it's just the way it is.

She is very independent, too. All we can do is help out in letting them do what they love to do.

**bassybill** · #5 03-02-2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks guys for the thoughts. Very much appreciated here. My dad wasn't drumming today, just telling the rest of the band how to swing on his stuff.

Next time I'm round to his house, he'll be playing (damn loud) what he's been doing on Sibelius, I'm sure. And he's thinking about accompanying me and my sister to New York for our GTG this August, but wondering whether he's up to it. We'll see how the old fella does...

Carlo Tanori · #6 03-02-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Enjoy him! he's doing his best to do the things he likes, and you should treasure the experience of being with him. The clock is ticking, and we never know when it will run down.

+1. I lost my mom last year. My dad is 83, soon to be 84. I do as much as I can with him. Look at the pic. I hope I look this good at 83. He's the one on the left. He's my ''roadie.''

Carlo

Aged_Clayman · #7 03-02-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

He's been drumming and arranging music for sixty years.

That`s cooler than the Rolling Stones.

**bassybill** · #8 03-02-2009, 02:25 PM

Carlo, he's looking good! Let's hope these old 'uns can be a model for us all, yes?

**bassybill** · #9 03-02-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aged_Clayman

That`s cooler than the Rolling Stones.

I will share that with him and he'll be as pleased as punch. Thanks!

Carlo Tanori · #10 03-02-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Carlo, he's looking good! Let's hope these old 'uns can be a model for us all, yes?

+1 bassybill. Hope your dad is doing better.

Carlo

Wally Malone · #11 03-02-2009, 02:50 PM

I also lost my mother a year ago but my dad at 82 is still playing drums. The harder part of gigging for him is driving at night and moving and setting up the kit. He's also involved in magic, something else that he had done when I was a kid. His health is very good for someone his age. He did have a couple of seizures a few years ago but the meds have them under control. Bassybill, as others have said above, spend as much time as you can with him while he's still here!

Wally

Carlo Tanori · #12 03-02-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally Malone

I also lost my mother a year ago but my dad at 82 is still playing drums. The harder part of gigging for him is driving at night and moving and setting up the kit. He's also involved in magic, something else that he had done when I was a kid. His health is very good for someone his age. He did have a couple of seizures a few years ago but the meds have them under control. Bassybill, as others have said above, spend as much time as you can with him while he's still here!

Wally

+1!!!

Carlo

**embellisher** · #13 03-02-2009, 04:20 PM

Glad to hear that your Dad is OK, Bill. As you said, we never know how much longer we have. Enjoy every moment you spend with him, and help him do the things that he enjoys. Here's to many more moments for you and him.

**bassybill** · #14 03-02-2009, 11:45 PM

Some of you have heard this before, but it's appropriate to link it here. This is a big band recording done a few years back. It's my dad's arrangement of an old Cole Porter tune, with him on the drums, my sister singing and yours truly on bass.

From This Moment On

Let me know what you think and I'll pass some of it on to my dad.

GregC · #15 03-03-2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Some of you have heard this before, but it's appropriate to link it here. This is a big band recording done a few years back. It's my dad's arrangement of an old Cole Porter tune, with him on the drums, my sister singing and yours truly on bass.

From This Moment On

Let me know what you think and I'll pass some of it on to my dad.

Great stuff, Bill! Thanks for sharing it. Your dad is right on it! Tell him it's too bad he has to carry the bass player like that.

Seriously, though, that's a fine family effort. I'm wishing the two of you many more years together. I hope he makes it to NYC, I plan to be there!

Joe Gress · #16 03-03-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Some of you have heard this before, but it's appropriate to link it here. This is a big band recording done a few years back. It's my dad's arrangement of an old Cole Porter tune, with him on the drums, my sister singing and yours truly on bass.

From This Moment On

Let me know what you think and I'll pass some of it on to my dad.

Awesome stuff bill! (and dad, and sister!)

It's really cool to see a whole family together, makin music, and from what it sounds like, actually having fun.

It's sad to hear that your dad may have to stop altogether, but it's really cool to hear that he was doing the thing he loves till the end.

kesslari · #17 03-03-2009, 09:02 AM

Thanks for sharing the tune. Cool stuff!

Good luck with your dad. Tell him that some of us online musicians find him pretty dang inspiring.

MakiSupaStar · #18 03-03-2009, 09:09 AM

Bill. I haven't dared listen to the song you sent me via PM simply because of where I'm at in life in regards to me and my Dad. We kind of had to break my dad's heart (figuratively speaking) when we told he can't have a beer for a long while. His response was "What's it worth living for then, if you can't enjoy a good beer?". I told him to look around him at all of us, and we shared a nice man cry together.

I will listen to this song. You and your family really share something special to be able to make music together. To be able to communicate on a musical level, I would imagine, would seem to put a nice level of mutual respect within your family. What a great thing. Sounds like you've got things in perspective Bill, but with all that said, it doesn't make it hurt any less. Your dad is a great man. Glad you realize it while he's still here. Thanks for sharing his greatness with all of us. Looking forward to hearing more stories about him whipping other bands into shape.

EDIT: Checked out the song with all you playing. Awesome stuff man. Nice walking bassline line there Billy-boy! Dad's got a great groove. What a great family project. Really good all around. Great quality recording. Love how it ends by letting the splash ride all the way out.

**bassybill** · #19 03-03-2009, 10:26 AM

I hear you, maki. And understand totally about the Tom Martin song - it is, to be honest, a bit of a tear jerker, in a good way.

I'm glad you guys have enjoyed the music and Dad will be thrilled to hear some of your positive reviews. Thank you very, very much fellas. TB is THE best site on the Internet without any doubt at all.

fo shizzle · #20 03-03-2009, 01:20 PM

Thanks SO much for that tune, Bill. That is an absolute treat. Listening to ya'll "swing that thing" made my day!!