RIP Peter Halsten Thorkelson

[72targa]

And then there were two...

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47319788

[ptrsbtrs]

"we're the young generation"......
RIP Mr Tork.

[Bullethead]

In April 2006 we booked Peter and his band Shoe Suede Blues for the first time. Nearly all the west coast musicians know one another, and when someone like, say, Phil or Dave Alvin (Blasters) or John Hall (Orleans) or even John Oates (Darrell Hall's shorter half) gig at your place, before you know it you're taking calls from a BUNCH of guys that used to be famous. Peter was fun, still kinda goofy... he once hung around a couple of days after another weekend a couple years later to jam with old pals New Riders of the Purple Sage. Or was it Commander Cody? Surprisingly, not as much weed was smoked compared to Levon Helm standards, but I digress.

Believe it or not, many of these people still tour small venues not for the money (there's very little) but because they love it. The joy of performance.

Last time Peter visited us, Ray Manzarek had just passed away, a year after he had done a show at our place with JL Hooker's slide master Roy Rogers. I had known Roy several years, which is how he brought Ray to our place. Like I said, they all know each other and share preferred gig locales. Ray was in remission then and looked pretty good... but post show, we talked grimly of unexpectedly losing Roy's old sidekick Norton Buffalo in 2009. I had run into Norton at a private gig (Olivia Newton-John, Norton was her long-time multi-instrumentalist) in Sonoma a few years earlier. We partied hearty. He didn't yet know he had lung cancer. Anyway, later it hit me hard that Ray's comment about Norton
and Peter's regarding Ray were so similar. To paraphrase: When or if we wake up, it's a gonna be good day.

They also believed that it's wise to travel with a clean towel. That's Good Advice.

[LiveFromNY]

In April 2006 we booked Peter and his band Shoe Suede Blues for the first time. Nearly all the west coast musicians know one another, and when someone like, say, Phil or Dave Alvin (Blasters) or John Hall (Orleans) or even John Oates (Darrell Hall's shorter half) gig at your place, before you know it you're taking calls from a BUNCH of guys that used to be famous. Peter was fun, still kinda goofy... he once hung around a couple of days after another weekend a couple years later to jam with old pals New Riders of the Purple Sage. Surprisingly, not as much weed was smoked compared to Levon Helm standards, but I digress.

Believe it or not, many of these people still tour small venues not for the money (there's very little) but because they love it. The joy of performance.

Last time Peter visited us, Ray Manzarek had just passed away, a year after he had done a show at our place with JL Hooker's slide master Roy Rogers. I had known Roy several years, which is how he brought Ray to our place. Like I said, they all know each other and share preferred gig locales. Ray was in remission then and looked pretty good... but post show, we talked grimly of unexpectedly losing Roy's old sidekick Norton Buffalo in 2009. I had run into Norton at a private gig (Olivia Newton-John, Norton was her long-time multi-instrumentalist) in Sonoma a few years earlier. We partied hearty. He didn't yet know he had lung cancer. Anyway, later it hit me hard that Ray's comment about Norton
and Peter's regarding Ray were so similar. To paraphrase: When or if we wake up, it's a gonna be good day.

They also believed that it's wise to travel with a clean towel. That's Good Advice.

Awesome stuff, Russ.

[Frank Beck]

That is a great story Russ!


Love listening to the Monkees. Triggers thoughts of my boyhood in a much more innocent era.

I've probably mentioned this before (This is my new disclaimer because it's most likely true. lol); there is something very sad and disingenuous about our propensity to eulogize but not celebrate someone's life while they're still alive and can be part of the event.

The "so what" whenever a hero, icon, or more importantly; a loved one dies is asking ourselves "What can I do to celebrate this person's life and accomplishments while they're still with us?"


Reminds me that I need to stop by my dad's shop today and see what he's tinkering with.

[72targa]

Looked through my stuff and found these last nite...very sad day.