Childhood memories. Remembered in a time of loss.

Growing up I was exposed to a lot of great musicians and a lot of great people when I would visit with my Uncle Denny. Jimmy Black was one of those. He is someone in my childhood that I hadn't thought about in years. That is until I heard how sick he was. Jimmy crossed over last night at 11pm is what I am told. Being that he was in a German Hospital, I don't know if that was German time or ours.

My Uncle and a very good friend of his (Tom Leavey) were working on a benefit to help pay for the ton of hospital bills Jimmy had racked up with all his medical bills. This benefit has now turned into a memorial. Here is what Tom had sent to my mom;

Hi Everybody,
Jimmy Carl Black a dear friend since 1969 and fellow bandmate
(GERONIMO BLACK) is dealing with cancer of the lungs,kidneys, brain and
leukemia. To help his family with mounting medical expenses we are throwing a
benefit concert on Sunday December 7th. 2008 from noon til dark at Thousand
Trails Campgrounds in Acton, Ca. The location was found by Candy Zappa and Nolan
Porter who used it for a benefit last Sunday and when myself and Peter Lovio, a
member of Frank Zappa's 1st. band (The Blackouts) saw the natural beauty of
this venue we decided this would be the perfect place for Jimmy's benefit
concert. There will be many musical guests connected to The Mothers Of Invention
with several original band members. Also, Jimmy's sons Geronimo & Darryl
will be driving in from Jimmy's home town of El Paso to perform as the New
Geronimo Black. We will keep you updated with guests that will be appearing, but
we guarantee there will be many,many surprises and lots of great music. If you
had a good time during the 60s we're
gonna bring it back to you by celebrating Jimmy Carl Black's 50 years in
show business. Hope to see you all there.
Thanks, Tom Leavey

I have tried to post a picture that I am not sure will turn out. It is of the dads with their sons. Jimmy Black with Geronimo on the left, My Uncle Denny Walley and Jared in the middle and Tom Leavey with Darin on the right. Us kids were probably about two at that time.

I am going to do everything I can to go to that gig! It would be nice to see and reconnect with lost friends (and family) before we loose another one.