bummer

huge bummer

Man. That sucks.

He was great. The shows I saw with him sitting with JGB were better than most of the Grateful Dead concerts I saw in terms of musicality and the general 'vibe' being better.

RIP, jamming man.

Bill_Wick's_Friend: The shows I saw with him sitting with JGB were better than most of the Grateful Dead concerts I saw in terms of musicality and the general 'vibe' being better.

Agreed.
As much as I loved a good Dead show, there was something magical about a Jerry show. You knew you were in for a treat. Great music, great covers, mostly upbeat, no space, plenty of good jammin' from a tight band.
Don't believe me? Watch JGB - Live at Shoreline. (Yes, I know that was a Melvin show, but you get the point).
Simply amazing.

Didn't Merl help rehabilitate Jerry Garcia after he had his diabetic coma? The story I remember is that he didn't remember how to play guitar after coming out, and Merl spent all his time with him helping him recover. Then one day he just remembered (common with coma victims). RIP piano man.

Saw him perform with Melvin Seals on a small stage in my college years. Great night.

WaltzingMathilda: Didn't Merl help rehabilitate Jerry Garcia after he had his diabetic coma? The story I remember is that he didn't remember how to play guitar after coming out, and Merl spent all his time with him helping him recover. Then one day he just remembered (common with coma victims).

As I remember it, he helped teach him mostly theory... scales, etc and Jerry's mind eventually kicked back in.

unremarkable asterisk: WaltzingMathilda: Didn't Merl help rehabilitate Jerry Garcia after he had his diabetic coma? The story I remember is that he didn't remember how to play guitar after coming out, and Merl spent all his time with him helping him recover. Then one day he just remembered (common with coma victims).

As I remember it, he helped teach him mostly theory... scales, etc and Jerry's mind eventually kicked back in.

yeah, that's about right. that's awesome. i loved this guy.

anyone else ever catch one of his shows at the brookdale lodge?

good times...

Very saddened by this news. He was a wonderful musician and I feel very honored to have seen and met that man. RIP Merl, I know you're making beautiful music in heaven and are at peace.

Rest in peace dude. Saw him once and it was awesome. He told us about the Jerry rehabilatation story that night too.

Seems everyone around The Dead are dying off now. Their lawyer the other day, now Merl.

Truly a grate musician and human being.

I saw him in August of '95, at the 8 x 10 in Baltimore. Good show. You could hug him if you wanted to!!!

RIP Merl... He put on one of the greatest small venue shows I had the priveledge of seeing. Super approachable, chatted with everyone from the audience that hung out afterwords. Seemed like a truely kind spirit and authentically likeable guy.

RIP, Merl.

I'm going to listen to 'Blues from the Rainforest" and burn one. Big ups Merl. RIP.

Man, that blows...

I had the pleasure of working a my first big show doing production with Merl back in late September of 2001. Was a great time. Merl really was a kind and genuine guy. Also very patient for a man who made as much on a gig as he did. The Organ for that show was DOA... and some dude that was trippin his balls off fixed it. (guy really did know what he was doing though, and is well reputed for his work, being somewhat of an authority on Hammond Organs...)

Merl had a smile on his face the whole time. His set was incredible to boot...

Think I'll see if I can find the recording of that show I made from monitor world...

Fav Merl story: Saw him in '97 at this place in Vail that went by a few different names. At the time I think it was called 8150. The place is sold out. About 600 people crammed into a 400-person place. Merl and the band is on fire, the crowd is going crazy. This place had a wooden floor that starts bouncing like a trampoline. The whole building is shaking. The roadies had to hold down the equipment the entire show. I'll never forget Merl having to press the keys harder to keep his keyboard from falling over. He truly enjoyed his job. Not many people get to say that. Thanks Merl.

oh man, HUGE bummer.
I shook his as he made his way to the stage for a show in Va. many years ago.

RIP Jam Man and thanks for all the good music, you will be missed.

aw c'mon: oh man, HUGE bummer.
I shook his *hand* as he made his way to the stage for a show in Va. many years ago.

RIP Jam Man and thanks for all the good music, you will be missed.

\Just to clarify things

He was as sweet as his music, a gentle giant at ease in tiny halls as well as huge venues.

Was at the Last Day Saloon in the mid-90s watching some Steve Kimock / Zero type show, and here was Merle standing next to me in the audience. We exchanged greetings and nodded along to the music. Then Merle waved to the stage and jumped up between numbers, taking over at keys. I will always remember the look of joy on his face just before getting up there to play. Like a kid on Christmas.

/thanks Merle!