Deadsplinter Up! All Night: Don’t you think it’s sometimes wise not to grow up?

My big brother Jeff passed away this weekend after a lifetime of ailments that slowly deteriorated his body, but never his spirit. He was a kind and gentle man except when it came to politics where he considered anyone east of radical leftie despicable, God bless him. I’m sure the worst part of this for him is that he didn’t outlive the Trump administration. Jeff lived in Gainesville, Florida where he was a proud sore thumb. He went to the University of Florida and never left because the climate was good for his severe psoriatic arthritis. It always kind of felt like he was a hostage down there.

He was a much older half brother, so we didn’t grow up together and have the usual older-younger brother relationship. It wasn’t until later in life that he became something of a mentor. He loved to teach me about the bands he grew up seeing and listening to. He came of age in the late 60’s and 70’s, so he did get exposed to some great music. We recently each did our top 5 guitarists lists for the thousandth time. Despite the fact that he actual saw Hendrix, Jimi didn’t make his list this time. I don’t know if it was a sign of old age, but he and Dicky Betts were replaced by Leo Kottke and Deborah Coleman. Topping the list once again was Mick Taylor. A good choice. He actually made the Rolling Stones better, an amazing achievement. That Mick finally gave them the sound they’d always been searching for, I think. And Goats Head Soup is my favorite Stones album. So, in Jeff’s honor, here are two choice Mick Taylor highlights. Brian May and Santana round out his list, by the way. Pretty predictable if you ask me. Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd tie for top position on my list.

The Rolling Stones – All Down the Line

The Rolling Stones – 100 Years Ago

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29 Comments

  1. Jonee, sending you sympathy and condolences. In your brother’s honor, Here is one of my favorite Rolling Stones song:

    • Thanks Elliecoo. Another favorite of his.

    • This is another exquisitely recorded album that should be listened to under a quality pair of headphones.

  2. Jonee, also very sorry for your loss. My brother was my musical mentor when I was a little kid, he also saw Hendrix and was a huge influence on my early musical choices. I went to see John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers with Mick Taylor on guitar, long after they had all gone their own way and circled back together. It was a great show and Mick was very good.

    • Thanks! That’s awesome. I know Jeff got to see them both in their prime and one of those later resurrections.

      • When I saw them with John McVie & Mick Fleetwood. Jeff Skunk Baxter was playing with them too. It was a crazy all star show. I’m wondering if they just did it to write off Hawaii trips or something because I have never heard of that lineup in any other shows.

        • Yeah, that is a weird lineup. Great idea to get a free trip to the islands.

  3. I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like he was a good guy, with excellent taste in guitar players. Mick Taylor is one of the greats. I love his acoutic work on this song.

    The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses

  4. I forgot to mention, my nephew, and Jeff’s son, Zach is on Jeopardy tonight. It’s a shame my brother didn’t get to see it, but I went to the taping and gave him the rundown. Spoiler alert: this is not the only night he’s on. As a matter of fact, he is currently still the reigning Jeopardy champion since they had to stop production due to coronavirus.

  5. My heart goes out to you and your family. Here is one of my favorite Santana songs.

    • Excellent choice Keitel

  6. Damn, @jonee, I am so sorry to hear about this. RIP, Jeff.

  7. Sorry for you loss Jonee. Here’s the Mick Taylor Band:


    Mick Taylor Band – Live at The New Morning (Live in Paris) 1995

    Track list:
    Part #1
    – You Gotta Move
    – I Wonder Why
    – You Shook Me
    Part #2
    – Judgement Day
    – Little Wing
    – Secret Affair

    Mick Taylor – guitar
    Snowy White – guitar
    Jeff Allen – drums
    Kuma Hurada – bass
    John Dunrick – keys

    • Awesome. Thanks, Earendil.


  8. Leading to one of the greatest comedy cameos.

    “BEAT HIS TESTICLES!”

  9. Jonee, I’m with Jeff on the “east of radical leftie” thing and I am so sorry for your loss…thinking of you:

    • Thanks Prophet. Another great Santana selection.

  10. Jonee, I have to say I’m pretty envious of your relationship with your brother. If I got news of my brother’s death today, I can honestly say that my reaction would be one of indifference. So, counterintuitively, here’s Charles Bradley with “You Think I Don’t Know (But I Know)”.

    • Sorry to hear that, Butcher. It’s really great having supportive siblings. I took mine for granted for a long time.

  11. Jonee, I am so sorry for the loss of Jeff. There are no words adequate but I will share what was shared with me by someone who had been there too. It’s been 30+ years now, but I still remember:

    “Right now, you may feel as if you’re a block of ice – but eventually that ice will melt into a warm flow of loving memories”.

    It did eventually for me and hope it will for you soon too, Jonee.

    Here’s a sweet moment from Brian May:

    • Thanks Polly. Those words are perfect.

  12. Jonee, I feel for you, and I am so sorry for your loss.

  13. im sorry for your loss mate

  14. I don’t know if it’ll work,but these were the pics of the art I got today.

    The light outside was really great today (the weather was wet & drizzly!), and lots of the colors popped really well.

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/wEvar7sDLwu3pdWe9

  15. Sorry for your loss, Jonee.
    I hope you have many more happy memories of him, than sad ones, as time moves forward. And may his memory be a great blessing to you & yours💖💗💞💓

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