Some thing very serious this time, Yesterday morning at 3am a great friend of mine passed away. Geoff had been diagnosed with cancer last summer, which was a shock to everyone, he was one of the healthiest people I knew! I don't want to focus on those few months though, because there are years of great times that deserve much more attention.
I met Geoff when I was about 14, can't remember the exact year. I had been given a drum kit for christmas and I had set it up in the attic, for some reason. I hadn't had any complaints so far so when some one knocked on the front door asking to speak to "the drummer of the house" I was nervous, expecting a angry old man as I came down the stairs I was greeted by this tall smiling Austrailian man. He lived on the street and tracked me down using my drumming. He said he'd like to teach me how to play properly, which was probably wise as the whole of Sandhurst could hear my rhythm-less bashing.
I took him up on the offer and the next few years he taught me how to play at his house, this was great although at the time some days I just wanted to be out playing with my mates in the evening sun. I'm so glad I kept at it, when I started I just wanted it to be a hobby but thanks to Geoff's tutoring and taking me to see a number of drummer's clinics my love for the instrument grew, he is the reason I am on the path I have chosen, studying drums at the ACM and trying to get the Cheap Days some recognition.
Geoff with Jof and Myself at a Bar Four Gig.
When we needed a drummer for the band he was more than happy to play for us, also offering a great place to practice. His enthusiasm kept the energy on stage at a peak level, always playing the hardest and best he could. His talent could be heard specifically on "You didn't let me know", which is almost a country beat, but his playing on "One Up On Me", a drum track which I had written, proved he had the stamina to hold a quick tune like that together. All the tracks that we played live and wrote together evolved into something that we never imagined they could be, reshaping what you can hear today. It will be impossible to replace that man on the tubs.
It was a great privilage to play in a band with Geoff, and an even greater honour knowing him. Everyone who met him fell for his charm, he was a great great man that will be forever missed and never forgotten.
If I know Geoff he'll be chatting away to the greats, like Buddy Rich and Bonham, already! He deserves so much more from me than just 500 words on a blog no one reads but this is all I can do right now, there are so many things I could write about the years I knew Geoff. If you ever met him you know how much of a loss to the world this is.
Goodbye and rest in peace Geoff.
Geoff Benton.
1 comment:
Thanks for all you did for the boys Geoff. We will never forget you.
Post a Comment