Just recently, I learned that a friend of mine who lived in New York (as did I years ago, which is how I met him through our mutual love of music), passed away. He was 65 years old and is said to have died from complications from CV-19 this past February. Since he lives in NY, I'm sure everyone or nearly everyone who dies there dies from some type of complication from CV. Hospitals receive money from the government for that designation.

Bill was a homebody, meaning working out of his home. He didn't get out much because of all the music that he produced and his studio was behind his home. I'm not sure how he might have contracted CV-19, while no one in his family did, but that's beside the point.

The last time I communicated with him and heard back from him was December 2020. He had huge plans about his next CD. He was excited about it and promised that he would be starting on things soon and would send me music tracks and wanted to work with me on lyrics and theme.

As usual, I'd receive his music tracks vial email, then record drum tracks for his songs. I'd return my drum tracks to him with another track showing where to place my drum track to align it perfectly with his track.

It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed creative outlet for my ability. My friend Bill, was always upbeat, low-key, and had a tremendous love for what he did. He was an excellent guitarist and his musical style was not of the norm.

Shortly after the new year began, I realized I hadn't heard from Bill in a bit. I waited because I knew he had said how busy he was, not just with music, but with his new grandson. He was trying to get things organized around the house and he had also mentioned how it was another killer winter in New York where in one case, a storm had dropped 41" of snow. I recall those days of my own living in New York with those winters.

Finally, on March 29, 2021, I decided the silence had been long enough, so I sent him a quick email asking how everything was going for him. I had recently decided that I was going to stop playing drums and wanted to tell him eventually, but wouldn't in this email.

Bill,

How’s life these days for you?

Life’s been busy here.

Our daughter gave birth 10 weeks early via c-section to another son.

He’s in Neo-natal ICU and will likely be there for 3-4 weeks or more. He’s doing well.

Our son and his wife are a few weeks away from welcoming their daughter.

Seems like life is cruising by at high speed.

Things going well at your end?

Fred

Hey Bill,

Is everything ok? Doing all right?

Fred