I received the following email from Howard Freiberg regarding the passing of local musician Al Westcott…
Goodbye Old Friend
He was a friend of mine. He was a friend of many. It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of Al Westcott last night, January 7, 2009. Al has been a very close friend of mine since 1983. Many of you met him at past Ojai Rock Fest shows. He performed as “Maggie’s Pa” as well as helping put on the production of many of these events. Al died while doing what he loved best….playing music. He was performing at a Retirement Home when he passed out and later died of a massive heart attack. Al was the person who got me to come to Ojai almost 6 years ago by helping me land a great job. He was the one who went with me to the doctor when I was first diagnosed with Cancer, and then went on to organize a benefit to help me pay the mound of expenses I was to incur. He was a true friend. Everyone who met Al always liked him. He made people smile. He had a great sense of humor, and was extremely charitable, even down to his dying minute. It was a pleasure knowing you Al, you’ll be greatly missed!
Al’s Web Site
Al’s MySpace Page
Feature on RadioOjai.com
Ojai Musician Al Westcott Passes On
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Oh, my. I met Al a little over a year ago the way I’ve met most of the musicians on Radio Ojai – he put a CD on my porch. I soon discovered he had other passions, such as photography and serving the elderly, which lead to him creating the Gray Eyes Project. When I interviewed him about the project for an article I was writing last summer for the VC Reporter, he told me he started the project because he wanted to find a way to overcome the notion that “older people become invisible to younger generations.” He also told me he had had a stroke the previous year. I can’t help but notice the irony of the song that’s being featured on R.O. (follow Tyler’s link): “When the Kingdom Comes.” I’ll sure miss you Al.
Al was the person who organized the gift of cameras to many residents of some of the retirement homes in Ojai several months back. He gave them cameras, processed the film for them, and printed their images, had them matted and hung at local venues so that people would hopefully begin to see that the older population had a voice worth listening to. He said to me on the phone once, that he felt that people saw him as old, and therefore, rarely struck a conversation with him which made him feel as if they equated old with having no value or worth. His way to combat that trend was to give the residents the cameras. I am really saddened to hear of his passing, but his gift will go on in the hearts of many.
My deepest sympathies, Howard.
I didn’t even know him, and now I’m going to miss him.
Maybe now people will finally strike up a converstion with me (if I don’t get to them first)….
I used meet friends at Bodie’s on Sundays to listen and sing along with Al….what a great guy, a great heart and a great musician — I’ll put his CD on and sing along again…my deepest regrets, and a big Ojai Praise for one of our own…any tributes planned?
Be Blessed on your journey, Al — see you again on that Biggest of Stages!
I met Al in Baltimore in 1972. He was playing music and as always taking pictures. He was a friend and lover and the most unique man I’ve ever known. I will miss the string of e-mails about politics, the world, his pet projects and his take on life. I cannot imagine a world without Al. I send my love to his son and grandkids who he loved. Thank goodness we have his music to carry on and this wonderful Gray Eyes Project he was so proud.
There will be a memorial at The Gables Sun Jan 18th at 1:30pm and a gathering at Bodeees after.
I miss you Al…I’m sorry I didn’t give you a hug last Tuesday when you popped into the office to make some copies and show me your embroidered bell-bottoms that you were going to wear on Flower Power Day at the Gables.
You left a big empty space in the hearts of all who counted you as a friend. God speed to you my old and very dear friend. May you fly with my angels.
HOW SAD I AM TO HEAR OF MY OLD FRIENDS PASSING.I FORMED BROKEN ARROW WITH AL AND MIKE OHARA IN BALTIMORE AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY.HE WAS A CHARACTER…WE HAD SO MANY GREAT MUSICAL EXPERIENCES TOGETHER…AND TRAVELLED..AND LIVED THE LIFE TOGETHER…GOODBYE MY FRIEND.
I grew up with Alan Westcott in Baltimore. He will be missed by his old friends as well as new. Thanks for remembering me as that “older woman” in your song. You always did make me smile. RIP!
I will always remember Al’s gigs at the Clark Street garage in Baltimore, and I can still see the smile on his face at the Roy Rogers concert at the Inner Harbor. Rest in peace, my man, rest in peace.
I was involved with Al at the time he filed complaints with the FCC about indecent broadcasting. I visited with him during two trips to Las Vegas. The web pages he published at that time remain available on the Internet.
We honor Al’s life, and we will not forget him.
Tom Blackwell, Dallas, Texas
http://www.n5gar.org
N5GAR @ ARRL.NET
How sad. I met him on the radio during an interview when we were both battling Howard Stern. His logic and intellegence was over the top. He was an extremely remarkable man. Someone I met by accident but was always a driving force in determination in many of our lives. We spoke on the phone back then. We then kept in touch through the Internet. A short time ago his emails kicked back.
We have lost a driving force for good. I can only say I am proud to have known him in my limited way. One of the last times I emailed him
I wanted to buy a cd of his music if he had any.
Rest in peace Al. You made
a difference, more than most. You were brave, a leader, someone I was very proud to know.
Wow!!!! I don’t even know what to say. I’ve known Al since about 1985. I remember when we lived together in Lake Arrowhead and use to go fishing after work together. I’ll never forget how we would use to tell lies to eachother on the shore, I remember when I went to throw a fish back in the Lake and hit landed on the rocks and Al looked over and said “Gus, what did the fish do to you”. From that moment on, we always referred to eachother as Gus. I remember when we were in Los Angeles, with some crazy lunatic trying to kill us. I still have the tape at my wedding with him and genelle saying to my wifes family how we all met at the Chicken Ranch……Unfortunately, due to my longtime addiction to alcohol and drugs, I didn’t keep in close contact. At least we talked since I’ve been sober….what a great loss! See you on the other side Gus!!! Love You.
Sincerely,
Lane Schneider
See what happens when you mess with Howard Stern? It’s KARMA, baby!
rot in hell shitbag
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