Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Posted 6 Mar 2003 9:03 am |
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In case some of you didnt see my post in "Our Extended Family", I just wanted to pass the sad news on here about the passing of a good friend and great guitarist Jerry Swallow.
Our friend Colin Cameron just sent me this email with a clip about Jerry:
"Jerry Swallow passed on a few days ago after dealing with cancer for many years. As of a few months ago, when I exchanged some emails with him, his spirits were very upbeat. His talents ran the whole spectrum of the music
business --- from playing great guitar to song writing and record producing. Jerry appeared on recordings and on stage with Randy Meisner (in the band formed after Randy left the Eagles), Michael Nesmith, Glenn Campbell, Tanya Tucker and many, many others. He leaves a lot of friends behind.I recorded and played live with him infrequently and we called each other friends over a period of 30 years.
I miss him already, God rest his gentle soul. Colin
This is from wedigmusic.com
Jerry Swallow is one of the world's premier guitar players. No exaggeration. He has done it all, from the studio, to touring the world with top name acts, as well as song writing and producing. Jerry began his music
venture at age 11, which is documented in the book, "Instrumental Surf Bands of the Sixties". At 16, Jerry was playing the Hollywood nightclub circuit. By 18, he was touring the world. Shortly after, Jerry landed in Las Vegas, playing the major showrooms on the strip.
In Hollywood, Jerry was recognized by top producers and eventually became a studio musician. He worked on sessions with members of Toto and Little Feat. What set Jerry apart from other studio musicians was his
creativity combining country overtones with R&B and hard driving rock.
It wasn't long before Jerry found himself touring with such names as Olivia Newton John, Randy Meisner of the Eagles, Michael Nesmith, Lynn Anderson, Johnny Rodriguez, and Glen Campbell.
Jerry's blend of rock and country was the connection between Hollywood and Nashville for Tanya Tucker. Jerry led Tucker's band for five years, which recorded five albums, including the platinum TNT.
Currently, Jerry owns and operates Swallow Recording [Lake Esinore, CA]. He has also produced and played
guitar on Dennis Agajanian's Outlaw CD, as well as serving in the same capacity with a group, Diamondback
(Deadeye Records). "
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John Macy
From:
Rockport TX/Denver CO
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Posted 6 Mar 2003 3:46 pm
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I met Jerry when I engineered that above mentioned Dennis Agajanian record. Though we had just met, it was like working with an old friend. Man, he played some killer stuff, and the "gentle soul" was a very apt description. I was not even aware he was sick.
I know his soul is in a better place now. |
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