Rest In Peace, Rich Grinnell

Another sad piece of news to report today. This evening, Rich lost his battle with Cancer. His wife has put together a website that chronicles his last few weeks, and the brutality of the hard war he fought against his own body. Truly, an emotional rollercoaster that I've never witness so close at hand. It's a really heart-wrenching read, and I feel great empathy for those close to Rich, and a great deal of sorrow for the passing of the man himself.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/richardgrinnell/journal

Since this blog is about the Stickmen, it's only fair to discuss Rich in that context. I think the long and the short of it is that the band NEVER would have happened were it not for Rich. If there is one single common denominator that brought the band together, it was the Comic Quest, the comic book store owned by Rich and Lisa back in the day. That was our hang out, our meeting ground, and ultimately our practice studio.

Thinking back, I can recall the countless hours we spent there writing songs, playing music, planning our next adventure/gig, or whatever. NONE of that would be possible without Rich and the store. I may have never even met the rest of the band members were it not for Comic Quest. A debt of deep gratitude is owed, and I don't think it can ever be repaid. Maybe we should dedicate the Black and Blue album to Rich's memory.

Sad days indeed. Rich is the first person I've known in my adult life that I have seen pass. I knew a girl in my freshman year of high school who died shortly thereafter, but I didn't know her all that well. We just hung out once or twice. But this is different. Rich played a huge role in my young adult years, and even though I haven't spoken to him in years and years, it's still very sad to think that he is no longer of this earth.

Rich Grinnell, you will be missed!