Sad News from the LT

[Harnk]

Drummer San Fadyl passed away from asthma complications.

[The0wlsgo]

:(:(:(

[other]

...so sad.

[dwightp]

That's bloody awful... unbelievable even.

[el topo]

More info.

http://elephantsix.blogspot.com/2007/04/san-fadyl-passes-away.html

I'm not sure about the date in the LT statement (the 26th would be this morning, but I first heard word yesterday and was trying to confirm); maybe it's just the time zone difference between Wisconsin and Switzerland?

It's awful news.

[graham]

Shocking news. My thoughts and best wishes go to Brigit and wee Liam, and to everyone touched by his work, recordings, and utter loveliness over the years. :(

[el topo]

Gary Olson set this up:

http://sanfadyl.blogspot.com

[Code_J]

Tragic.

[David_R._Gross]

I am very sad at this news. There is not much that can really be said here that hasn't already been expressed, so I've decided to share a write-up I did in November of last year, that pertains to San.

The write-up was done for a small e-mail file sharing (free/band authorized MP3s) group I'm part of called Song of the Day. The message is in it's original state as the day it was sent, so please mind the spelling/grammar mistakes, and typos. I do my best to edit my write-ups before they're sent, but still, written language has never been my strong suite.

Original Write-up:

Today is Humpday. Nearly five years ago, I was introduced to the Elephant 6 through the "Humpday Show," a Wednesday night show Brandon ran at Carthage "WAVE" radio beginning in the fall of '01. He invited me along one day after a discussion on "The Grateful Dead." Despite an over all nervousness with the thought of live broadcast and my perception of public speaking, I took him up on the offer. During the Anniversary week of SOTD, I mentioned and discussed how I was hooked after I heard The Apples "If You Want To Wear a Hat," but what I didn't discuss is how a group of friends (Current members of The Syllable Section and other Racine natives) at Carthage became known as "The Wednesday Niters." A synopsis of that time in our lives is essential in appreciating today's Song of the Day.

We were dubbed the "Wednesday Niters" through our dedication to "The Wednesday Night Humpday Show." What I mean is Brandon and myself would go to the station and air a two hour show in, what we believed was, true college radio style. The rest of the Wednesday Niters would gather in Brandon's dorm room and listen. Sometimes we took requests from them, other times we would develop segments to the show to make it more official....some stuck, like Deep Dave Drops Dead, and others would fizzle out. Sometimes, while the show was airing even, the others would dress up in their "Sunday best" and share a competitive game of croquet. The point, however, was we developed our friendship by ritualistically attending every Wednesday. It was to the point where the core members would compete for the most consecutive Wednesdays made.

After the 2 hours, Brandon and I would meet the others and discuss the show, music, philosophy, religion, politics, and most any thing life had to offer. It was one of the most unique times I have ever had the opportunity to be apart of and pretty much defined my College experience. However, the dorms of any college become monotonous no matter the company, so it was inevitable that the "Wednesday Night Field Trip" would develop (not necessarily on a Wednesday night alone.)

Geared mainly in music, shows were the bulk of the trips and E6 shows epecifically being the majority of that bulk. We went to many shows that are memorable and unique. My favorite (from the prime of the "WNers" era) being the Pipes You See, Pipes You Don't/The Instrument/Circulatory System show. Still, nothing can beat that first trip (debatable chronological speaking) and coincidentally my first E6 show..... The Ladybug Transistor/ Essex Green, Schuba's Tavern, Chicago, April 23, 2002.

For most of us, that was the first experience with being able to go right up and talk to our favorite musicians. We were bouncing around, getting posters and freshly bought CDs signed, discussing why we loved the music so, and all other points of giddiness after being amazed by "Mrs. Bean" and "Oceans in the hall." With hindsight, I sometimes feel a bit a fool. Then again, Ladybug's drummer, shared the same feelings to a certain extent and on second thought really made all that excitement genuine and appreciated as I sit here typing. I mean, If you could have seen the smile on his face when we all told him we drove an hour and a half just to see the show, it showed, that that meant more to him in his career than thousands of screaming fans. I am big on supporting genuine, humble musicians, who share the same passion for music that I do. San Fadyl is with out a doubt that particular type of musician. It is unfortunate, perhaps in only in my mind, that The Ladybug Transistor is under rated even to true aficionados of the whole E6 collective. I also think that just magnifies the clouds that shadow San's abilities. So when I found "Egos Clashing" last night on San myspace page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfmfuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=55789745I knew homage must be paid to a musician that needs more respect than he sometimes gets. There is little to no information on what is happening with San's solo work and I am under the impression that this project is just reviling itself despite the fact that San has been involved with Independent bands since he was 14. The only other insight to the song that I can mention at this time is that it was done using analog synthesisers (minimoog)and seems to follow, in a vague way, that of synth pioneers "The Silver Apples." Ultimately I feel the music speaks for itself.

The Irony of my discovery falling on a Wednesday night was exactly what I needed to put San in the right light. Fate? Or the ability to recognize a passion that not only heightens the senses, but stimulates the mind and fattens the soul. Song of the Day is a vehicle to unit that individual ability and share it with like minded individuals. It is no coincidence that you are still reading this message. We are all fortunate in recognising these blessings and I say Thank you.

------------------------(end original)----------------------------





Fare Thee Well San,

DRG

[raydavies02]

this saddens me greatly

[c_elephant]

Horrible news :(. My sympathies to his family and friends, wife and new baby.

[acrobat]

This is incredibly sad. My love and prayers to his family and loved ones.