His departure was quick and painless with the support of Our loving family by his side.
Celebrations of his life are in the works. Please check back for updates. Your continuous support and donations are greatly appreciated and still needed to offset the financial burden of his medical care. From our family to yours, much love.
On April 17, 2008 Chris Gaffney passed away after his brief illness.
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40 comments:
To Julie and those who loved Chris:
Although I didn't know him well, I've been a fan since the late 80's of Chris' music, cool stage presence and witty lyrics. He was truly a joy to watch and I will miss all that he brought to the L.A. / So. Cal scene. He was definitely one of the coolest, he always had a kind word for me at those shows and I'm sure he's rockin' that accordian to high heaven in heaven. I wish you all the best in this time of sadness and my prayers are with you.
Teri Alexis
To: The Chris Gaffney Family,
My deepest sympathy for your loss! Chris will be missed terribly. God Bless
KrushRoc
Julie, Greg, and family:
I wanted to send you my deepest sympathy. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. As for Chris, he's started a new adventure. In Gods Speed, Journey On Gaff.
I Love you all,
Judy Booker
Dear Julie,
I am heartbroken today upon hearing the news that Chris has left us. My life is definitely richer having known him. Try as I might, I just can't believe he's gone. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
I miss him already.
Kerry Getz
Julie and the Family, I'm deeply saddened by this news. May God Bless you in this time. You are in my prayers. Chris touched many, for good reason. I'll miss him. I wish I had come across this all sooner, and could have been of more help. Lean into faith, here. God whispers in the good times but shouts in these. He causes all things to work together for good.
Peace. Stanley T
Julie and and family...
my heart goes out to all of you...Chris was loved by so many and will be sorely missed.
My heart goes out to the Gaffney family during this tough time. I'll be paying tribute to Chris and his music on my local radio show this Sunday. I usually play 40's and 50's R&B but I'll be breaking away from my usual format to reminisce and play some of Chris' tunes. You can listen online at www.kser.org this Sunday at 3:00 PM (west coast time) God bless ya Chris, you'll be missed.
Our condolences,
Marion + Robert
from Austria
This is a sad day for me.
condolences from Italy.
Pepi and family
Dear Gaffney Family,
We won't hear his incredible vocals and instrumentals on stage but the memories of many phenomenal concerts live on in our minds. Chris is missed…we will cherish the memories and keep his music alive in our home and our hearts.
We’re thinking about his family and friends during this sad time.
Lani & Scott Turner
Still can't believe it, Met Chris a few times when he made it here to Scotland, he was a true gentleman, his music will always live on. My thoughts are with his family & friends at this sad time
My deepest sympathies go out to all of Chris Gaffney's friends and family. His gifts will be sorely missed throughout the roots music communities and beyond.
Dan
Twin Cities Rockabilly Online
Dear Julie,Greg,Ben and Family Members,
I am deeply sorry for your pain in losing Chris. Just know the gifts he left behind will be cherished forever. Many hearts are broken including mine. Please take good care of each other. If I can do anything please do hesitate to ask. I will continue with the benfit at The Doll Hut on Sunday April 27th and get the proceeds to you as soon as possible.
Much love,
Linda Jemison
Lindalou64@earthlink.net
To the Gaffney Family,
I am just a stranger to you, but I wanted to send my deepest condolences to you today.
I hope this doesn't seem disrespectful in any way, but I looked up Chris's obit online and there were hundreds of notices from all over the world! It helped me a little to realize that I wasn't alone in missing him.
Please know that many people are missing and loving Chris too.
Love and Peace,
Patricia Sweet
Los Angeles, CA
Julie and family, my prayers go out to you, as you most of all will now go on, without Chris. As you hold him in your heart know that God holds us in His arms and that we all too, grieve with you, as you mourn and will celibrate Chris's life as healing comes, in it's time. We can all receive hope in our trials from God, "the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3)
dwb
To all the Gaffney family ~
Chris has been a part of our extended family and a very close friend to my older son, Chris for some years. Cherished for his heart, soul, humor, music and that incredible voice, I know we will miss seeing his great face. he has left this planet, but not our hearts.
Blessings and light for his journey,
Lorna (of the Portland Miller clan)
As with all, I was saddened to hear of Chris's passing.
I wish I could say I knew Chris well or that I had years of history with him. Neither would be true.
What is true is a memory I have of Chris.
My girlfriend and I live in Redding, Ca and in early Aug, 07 we saw that The Hacienda Bros were playing in a small club here in town.
She and I very work hard and are involved in so many outside things that sometimes we don't take us much time with one another as we should.
We had seen Dave Alvin & GM in San Francisco the summer before & when we saw that The HB’s were in town, we decided to go.
It was a crowded night at the bar when we got there, but we quickly wiggled our way to part of the dance floor right in front of the band.
With Chris’s guitar a few feet from our heads, and his voice booming in our ears, she and I danced, laughed and loved song after song after song till the night was over.
Chris was kind enough to chat with for a few moments after the show. He thanked us for having such a fun time with the music and band! It really was a night both she and I will remember.
My girlfriend and I briefly discussed Chris’s passing this morning.
We recalled that night back in August. We both agreed on what a nice night it was.
We sat there quietly with another.
Then we got to thinking.
We do work hard.
We are involved in so many outside things.
Sometimes we don't take us much time with one another as we should.
I think my girl and I are going to go out dancing tonight!
Peasce be with all of you
To Chris's family and many friends,
Chris's music has been a lasting gift to us all, and his reverence for the many tributaries from which his music sprang was always apparent. His kindness, courtesy and dignity came across every time I saw him in person, and the twinkle of fun was always there in his eyes. You all were indeed blessed for having had him in your lives, and I send you my warmest wishes for strength and peace in the days and months ahead.
Mary Catherine in Portland
Nothing I can say 'cept that I got your post card today. I miss you.
P.S. I love you too.
Jimmy Camp
My greatest of many Chris memories happened long ago in Texas. Linda and Diane were bickering about something. He offered them a saucer of milk. There'll never be another like him. So long old friend...
Gary Gomez
Julie, Greg and Family,
I'm deeply saddened to hear the news of Chris's passing. He was a good friend over the years. We'll all miss his quirky wit and accordion playing.
Lorne Rall
Julie, Greg, and Family,
I am truly saddened to hear the news of Chris' passing. He was a good friend over the years. We'll all miss his quirky wit and accordion playing.
Lorne Rall
Rest in eternal peace and joy, Chris. Sending sympathy and prayers to all the family and friends who will miss him so terribly.
my heartfelt condolences on your loss. This music community has lost a good one:-)
A fan in San Francisco
Our Thoughts & Prayers go out to Julie, the family, Dave Alvin, Dave Gonzalez, Dale Daniel, Hank Maninger and David DB Berzansky and all of Gaff's friends and fans.
We are all so heartbroken at Gaff's untimely passing but I know he is in heaven reminding us to not be sad for too darn long and to get on with living life with all the joy we can.
The Sunday Roadhouse event for Gaff will go on as scheduled:
Sunday, April 27, 4-9 p.m.
Sunday Roadhouse Celebration of Chris Gaffney's Life & Music
Mick’s Music and Bar, 5918 Maple St.
Omaha, Nebr.
$15 admission/donation
Featuring a special screening
of a rare, previously unseen
Sunday Roadhouse Series Hacienda Brothers concert video.
There will also be raffle ticket sales and drawings
for a variety of great donated prizes.
All proceeds from this evening will go directly to Chris' widow Julie
to assist with whatever she and the family
need most during this difficult time.
We mourn the passing of a great man, a great musician, an amazing vocalist and a wonderful friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with all Chris' loved ones after Chris' sudden passing due to liver cancer on April 17.
doors at 4 p.m.
concert video showing at 5 p.m.
www.sundayroadhouse.com
www.micksomaha.com
www.helpgaff.com
A note from Sunday Roadhouse concert promoter Dean Dobmeier:
"Chris was diagnosed with liver cancer back in February. It was that diagnosis that led to the cancellation of the Hacienda Brothers show we had scheduled for last month. All involved hoped that, with treatment, we'd see Chris back on stage later in the year.
We had scheduled a fundraising event for 4/27 at Mick's in order to raise funds to help with Chris' medical bills. This email was originally to inform you of that event but yesterday's news has changed things.
Los Angeles Times Obituary
The show will go on. As it always must. And the need for funds is real as Chris' wife Julie still has the medical bills to contend with. But the focus will be different. We'll now come together in celebration of Chris' life, talent and friendship.
Many of you were at the Hacienda Brothers show at Mick's in March of 2005. Do you remember that show? Do you remember Rosie Flores opening with a short acoustic set? Do you remember the camera guys?
That's right. The camera guys. Gary had that show recorded. A 3-camera shoot that captured forever a wonderful moment in time: Chris Gaffney and The Hacienda Brothers in a sold-out show at Mick's with one of the greatest audiences an artist could ask for in attendance.
And on Sunday, 4/27/08, we're going to relive that Sunday in March 2005. We'll be screening the entire show on the big screen. And I doubt that they'll be a dry eye in the house when the show closes with Chris singing "Cowboys To Girls".
We'll also be raffling off a number of very cool items that have been donated for the event. We'll remember, we'll celebrate, we'll have a good time. But bottom line, we'll be together. Chris would like that.
We'll be at Mick's Music & Bar, 5918 Maple. The doors open at 4pm and we'll start the show at 5pm. The suggested donation is $15 with all monies going to Chris' wife Julie.
It's the Sunday Roadhouse. In Missing Man formation.
Hope to see you there!
Dean & Gary"
I've been asked to share this information on Lincoln, NE, tributes to Chris.
Lincoln's Zoo Bar will host a Celebration of Chris' life on Sunday, May 18, with a multi-band line-up -- details to follow soon.
www.zoobar.com
Chris' passing was on the front page of Lincoln's Friday edition
of the Lincoln Journal-Star
www.journalstar.com/
Meanwhile, on Monday, April 21
KZUM LINCOLN RADIO SHOW TRIBUTE TO CHRIS GAFFNEY:
A good friend of the Haciendas in Lincoln, NE, Warren Rudolph, is planning to break format and to devote an hour of his usual Hot Jazz show on KZUM Monday night (April 21) in a tribute to Gaff...
playing cuts from various recordings from Gaff's career.
Fans and friends can catch the show from 9 - 10 p.m. Central Daylight Time on Monday, April 21.
You can hear it online at kzum.org
Gaffney! Gaffney! Gaffney! ...always!
B.J.
I met Chris on the phone in early 1987. I was a trucker passing through L.A. and Chris was being interviewed by a student reporter at KCSN in Northridge. Songs from Road To Indio were playing and I was enchanted. I pulled off the freeway, found a phone and called the radio station. I got right through to Chris in the studio and had a great talk and he mailed me a copy of his album. I was thrilled and have shared that music with so many who would never have otherwise heard it. I finally met him at a show not two blocks from where I live. My heart is heavy and I send you my deep condolences.
Chris was an amazing man, and brought much laughter and joy into our lives through both his music and his dry sense of humor. He was a pleasure to be around, whether watching him up on stage, or enjoying a conversation with him after the show over a beer. I had the pleasure to know him for over ten years, and each time he came to town, a babysitter was hired, plans were changed, and no matter what, we attended his performance, and always, always, had an amazing time. I am honored that I was able to share some time with him when he passed through Dallas with the Hacienda Bros., and I will always be thankful that I was able to enjoy his company one last time. He touched many, many people with his talent, and I, for one, am proud to have known him, and his wonderful laugh as well. Lisa Landeck
julie and family and his many friends:
my deepest sympathy for you all at this time. i have had such admiration for this man since the days of phantom herd at the metro. he had an incarnation called "cimarron" who played at my birthday party back in the late 70's somewhere out on tustin avenue. my ex and i spent many a night glued to the rail at the stage in the swallows inn. i thought long and hard about what a major influence he was to me and everyone who i drug to go see him.
i was told of a pretty large benefit concert coming up soon in my old home-county, as well as a tribute album in the works. i think this is all so great- he was so well-loved. see you all then...
bill herzog
borrego springs
ps- i was doin pretty good there until i went to the post office last friday and there was your thankyou card complete with a little note from him...all i can say is "see the big man cry mama"
posting this on behalf of Gary Grobeck, self-proclaimed "analog guy" and half of the Sunday Roadhouse concert series promoters duo.
The Sunday Roadhouse booked the Haciendas from Day One and all the guys always said Omaha was a favorite stop.
Gary Wrote:
"My soul needs a little satisfaction!"
That was how I greeted Gaff every time the Hacienda Brothers would pull into Omaha. He’d smile (in that Gaffney way) and proudly respond, “can do”. ( Shit, I can hear him saying that as I’m writing this) Anyway, we’d hug (tight), walk over to the bar & get a couple of beers. We’d clink bottle to glass. Then I’d say, “Chris, I only have one request for the night”. “Only one?” he’d respond. “Yep, only one”. “Well this is gonna be easy then”. Sometime during the night he’d play “Life’s Little Ups & Downs”. And after the song was over he’d let the lovely Miss Diane ( that’s what he’d call her) know that that was from her husband.
That’s just one of the snippits that run through my head at this time, leaving a bit of a hole in my heart and soul.
Rock In Paradise
Your friend,
Gary (Sunday Roadhouse) in Omaha
To all of Chris' family and friends: I didn't know Chris personally, but I did meet him briefly and had the pleasure of seeing him with The Hacienda Brothers a little over a year ago. I was amazed at the music he played and the heart that he put into each and every song. He and the rest of the band opened my eyes (and ears) to music I had not heard before, but fell in love with immediately. I truly believe that one of the greatest gifts you can give to another person is to share with them what you love. I truly feel honored to have been among the many, many people with whom Chris shared his music and immense talent.
My prayers are will all of you during this very difficult time. I hope knowing that Chris touched the lives of so many people is a great comfort you each of you.
Erica Lamb
I was very saddened to hear of Chris' passing. I never got to see him perform live, but I was a fan of his since the first Rom CD. "King of the Blues" was one of my all-time faves. His tunes keep coming on at random on my I-tunes now...hmmm...This came so soon after Danny Federici and the sudden deaths of two of my friends that I'm still in shock about it. My family's thoughts are with all of the Gaffneys and all the fans. Maybe he and Federici are dueting on accordion together now, rockin' those pearly gates! Rock on, amigo!
Julie, Greg, all:
I'll always remember hearing *Frank's Place* for the first time, live at the Canyon Inn in November 1992. Over the years and many, many such dates Chris was the consummate band leader, host, master of ceremonies and, to a degree, friend: the man in the white shirt, who played the corrido as it were.
requiescat in pace, dear Chris. Love to you and the family members and friends who miss you so deeply already.
John S
Chris Gaffney was (I hate that I have to use past tense) that rare musician who could make a range of genres and instruments appear both unique and natural in his hands; that rare performer who could balance a multi-faceted stage presence--ranging from gritty to soulful to slightly dangerous to a half-smile brand of wryly humorous--while never appearing contrived or false; that rare soul who was not afraid to show genuine kindness, regard, and downright love. It speaks volumes that, on the liner notes and credits for "Ashgrove", Dave Alvin listed Gaff's contributions as "harmony vocals, spiritual advisor".
The most recent time the Hacienda Brothers played The Palms Playhouse here in Winters (California) was the best I've ever heard them; the musical magic they wove on stage wended its beguiling way throughout the room and carried the audience with them into that effervescent, ephemeral reality that truly exceptional live music creates. Three things from that evening stick out in my mind: First, that the band had gelled in a way and to such an extent that the "brothers" of "Hacienda Brothers" clearly applied to all five of them, compared to when they first formed and recorded and the "brothers" seemed to refer to Dave Gonzalez and Gaff with the other three guys as almost a back-up band. Second: Not many musicians' spouses come to gigs with them, and it's pretty unusual to see a long, loving marriage in action anywhere but especially one involving people in "entertainment" of whatever kind. Slaid and Karen Cleaves have this; Antsy and "Polly" McClain have this; Bill and Louise Kirchen are the masters of this; and, as Gaff was accompanied by wife Julie to that gig and the love and regard they had for each other was so evident, I mentally chalked Gaff and Julie up as belonging to that small and enviable group. Third: Dave Gonzalez, of course, was tearing things up on electric guitar throughout the evening--the audience erupted after each of his solos. But then Gaff took a solo on guitar that was exceptional but in a completely different way: As the band quieted around him, Gaff stepped up to the mic with his acoustic guitar, chin up and slightly out, and played. There were no guitar pyrotechnics, and it wasn't the kind of guitar solo that generations of teenagers are going to spend hours slavishly trying to copy, and it definitely wasn't the kind of solo that almost anybody else could have played effectively: Gaff thumbed one note on his guitar between twelve and eighteen times in a row. Somehow, perhaps due to an alchemy of dynamics and slight variations in how he hit the string, the emotions Gaff's playing evoked were kaleidoscopic, starting with a glimpse of uncertain bashfulness morphing lightning-quick to a pugnacious challenge, which faded in turn to heart-aching wistfulness, and finally resolved in a peacefulness tinged with nostalgia. Whereas Gonzalez's guitar work had ignited the audience, this singular solo of Gaffney’s hypnotized and entranced his listeners, who seemed to hold their collective breath as this seemingly simple spell was woven. Other notes followed, but those aren't the ones I remember. Standing next to me, a rapt listener breathed, "Was that all one note? That... was... all... one... note...". He grinned and added, "I like his style".
My heartfelt condolences to those who loved him, knew him well, worked with him. Selfishly, I mourn the music that, now that Gaff is gone, won't be created, that I won't get to hear. I mourn the musical spells that, now, will have to remain forever unwoven.
--Kate Laddish (Winters, California)
Our deepest sympathies... and appreciation.
Chip and Desiree Tait,
Austin, TX
Our sympathy to the family.
In the late eighties and the early nineties, I would frequent Garf’s on Superior Avenue in Costa Mesa. The Sharks were the house band, and I was always in awe of their musicianship. Every now and then they would invite Chris in to play accordion with the band, and it was always a treat. A few years later, my band the Big Enjoyers were recording our second CD and I wanted an accordion on one of our songs and of course I thought of Chris. We got a hold of him and he generously came to our studio and recorded his piece in one or two takes. It was a magical evening and we knew we were in the company of a true master. Thanks Chris.
The Big Enjoyers
Tom Neas and Jeff Bostock
To his family and friends,
Went on the HB website yesterday to check out this summer's tour dates and was hit with the worst possible news. We saw Mr. Gaffney and the HB's both times they played the Tractor in Seattle. Last August's Tuesday night show felt like a Saturday night. The best! May we extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to all. Michael King/Laurel Enright, Vancouver BC
Bob and I last saw the Hacienda Brothers at Casbeer's in San Antonio in the spring of 2007. We spoke with Chris and met his daughter from Houston (where we're from). He and the band have brought us such pleasure and wonderful memories over the years, especially at the Continental Club in Houston. This news is so sad for us, and we are deeply pained for your loss. Priscilla and Bob
Dear Julie, Greg, and family ...
from across the big pond I'm sending you my deepest sympathy ... I'm still stunned ... I'll miss ole' Chris a whole lot ... God bless ...
Kurt
To Julie and the rest of Chris' friends,
I am in shock here. I have been out of the country for several years and have been listening to his music all the time. I googled his name to get up to date to find this sadness. I loved his music but mostly will remember the nights at Mikes watching the pay per view fights. Chris was a BIG boxing fan. He was a great guy and will be missed not only for the music but for being a wonderful human being. See you next time around this old karma wheel.
Ralph Maijala
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