I just found out about the death of my friend, Jeff Golub. What's sad is that he died on January 1, 2015 ... and I only just found out about it! What's even more sad is that, having lost touch for a few years, I had no idea how life had been treating him.

I first met Jeff in 1980 when he was the guitarist in Billy Squier's band, and I was with Peter Frampton. Jeff was an outstanding guitarists, and we became fast friends. I hired him to play for me on several jingles, and we worked together on other recording dates (though due to conflicting schedules, not as often as I would have liked). We also hung out together, often partying with Julian Lennon at Yoko Ono's brownstone apartment in Manhattan (when Yoko was out of town, of course).

Jeff also wrote his own music, formed a band with whom he recorded and played live, collaborated with many other recording artists, and he also released several solo albums. His most star-studded gig was probably when he played guitar in Rod Stewart's band. After a few years touring with Rod, I remember him telling me he had had enough, and wanted to focus on his own music projects. So he declined the next Rod Stewart tour. But Rod valued Jeff's playing very highly. Rod even told me so himself one night when I had the chance to hang out with Mr. Stewart.

Anyway, Jeff told me he got a call from Rod's manager, begging him to reconsider, and offering quite a big raise in his normal fee. Jeff really didn't want to go back on the road, so he declined again. But Rod's manager said, "How much would it take?" So Jeff just named a totally outrageous fee (so high he thought they would never go for it). Unknown to him, Rod had been listening on another phone extension, and he said, "Alright, you ***! You've got it!" So back on the road he went ... socking away a small fortune!

If you read the linked article, you'll find out, as I belatedly did, that Jeff developed a rare disease which caused him to lose his sight. In NYC he also fell onto the subway tracks and was dragged by a train. And, as you now know, he died months ago without me even knowing about it. Makes you wonder about other friends you might have lost touch with ...

http://jazztimes.com/articles/151334-gui......es-at-59

So sorry to hear of your loss, very sad

Very sorry, arthur. Thanks for posting this.

My condolences, Arthur.

I am sorry for your loss and for your regrets, Arthur. Take care.

Don't wallow in your own self pity Arthur!
I had a similar thing, though it was over a two year gap.
I visited his resting place and had a little chat with him. It helped no end.
I've only ever been back once since then. There's only so much you can say. But, it helped...

Not self-pity, Ray. Just kind of shocked that someone one knows can expire without one knowing anything about it.

Sorry for your loss Arthur.

In today’s fast paced world it is very easy to lose track of old friends, I know I have.

Tom

I know how you feel Arthur,

I'm very sorry that your friend died.

Keep in mind that he probably had good feelings about you as well but also didn't keep in touch. We just hold our people in our hearts and it makes it seem like they will always be there, and in a way they are.

-Mary Mowder

I had a high school friend, Mulgrew Miller, who was a magnificent jazz pianist who played with some of the greats before starting his own band. A few years back, totally out of the blue, I found his phone number online and decided to give him a call. Even though we hadn't seen each other in more than a dozen years, it was like we saw each other all the time. In 2013 I got a call that he had died (he was only 57), and I was so glad that I had made the effort to get in touch with him.

Thank you for sharing this with me...I LOVED his music!
He was one of my very favorite jazz artists. R.I.P.

Sorry to hear Arthur. It's always sad when we hear of the passing of a close friend that we haven't seen in some time

May your friend rest in peace and my condolences, Arthur. As one gets older one sees more and more of the old school going.

Very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. May he rest in peace.

Thanks everybody for all your kind words. And thank you, Devious, for posting that wonderful Avenue Blue track featuring Jeff Golub. Beautiful track, beautifully performed. I'll consider it as a fitting tribute to my friend.