8-30-30

[Big Poppa]

Was my Dad's Birthday. If he was still with us he would be 80....another few days marks the 6th anniversary of his passing.

I think of him all the time....I thank him for the opportunity he gave me that Im able to pass on to my kids....

If your Dad is still around give him a call.....

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Thanks for sharing BP, the great man he was. Long live the memory.

I am in the same boat as you. I can't make that call no more.

 

[Caca de Kick]

I call my dad all the time, just did yesterday.

My drummer though, just had a little girl born today.

 

[2ndBassGuitar]

Nor can I. I am an orphan. My father has been gone for 23 years now. He was 59. Sorry for your loss, but I am glad he had 74 years. And I am glad he left his legacy. I am glad that are also leaving yours. Your company has given me many hours of escapism and enjoyment.

 

[DTG]

I will call my pops today ! All my love BP

 

[Colin]

this is poignant stuff and worth thinking about. I have my father in law living with me and he's 84 years. Will encourage the kids to spend more time with him

 

[mmbassplayer]

Your company has given me many hours of escapism and enjoyment.

and debt!

Just kidding. Very nice thread. I call my dad everyday as I know one day I will want to and not be able to. As with all of us, he has been a great source of inspiration and knowledge for me. JOSH

 

[JayDawg]

Will do BP! My Dad is a Vietnam vet that was sprayed with Agent Orange and has MS as a result and is now in a wheelchair. At the end of September he will be 62 but due to his disease, I doubt he will live into old age. I often think about what things will be like when he is gone. I will miss him that's for sure. As a kid growing up he was a long distance truck driver up until he got diagnosed so I did not see him much unless it was those rare occasions where I was able to go on the road with him. While it sucked he was gone all of the time, at least he was out their working and busting his butt to make sure our family had a roof overhead and food to eat. A lot of the character that I developed as I grew up came from watching him. He may not have been around a lot due to work but he did teach me right from wrong and what is most important in life!

 

[cyoungnashville]

bp, your dads name will outlast all of us, and without a doubt, he would be proud (and maybe a bit surprised, haha) that today the name "ernie ball" is every bit as synonymous with quality as it ever was. not as many people knew my dads name, but he was one helluva bass player, and loved music more than anyone ive ever met in my life. his birthday was 8/14, just a few days ago, and has been gone for 6 years as well. his name was chuck young, and i have attached the last picture ever taken of him. i knew when i pressed the camera shutter, and took this pic, that we were running out of time together. as it turns out, this fraction of a moment, captured in the frame, was literally the last time he looked me in the eyes, and marked the end of the last conversation we ever had (about music, naturally). his mind faded as soon as i got him back inside, and he was gone soon after. this guy was my best friend, and the only person that truly knew me, understood me, and still loved me. hahaaa. mostly because im just like him. pretty much to know me is to know him. miss him, know how ya feel. here's to the dad's!!!

 

[keko]

That's life, sorry about Your Dad BP!

My Dad is 75 and still running, hope he's gonna make it for a while...

 

[davidjbass]

Sorry for your loss BP. I believe the ones we love that pass on are in a better place and watching over us.

My dad is still is with me. His birthday is coming up on 9/4. He will be 87! And he is for the most part is very healthy. I hope I am in his condition when I am 87. He has been behind me and my music since day 1. My kids compare him to the grampa on Rugrats.

He is one of the dwindling WWII vets that exist in this country. He flew B24 bombers over the European theatre. He is also one of the oldest existing registered Boy Scouts in the country. He has been is scouts for 65 years.

I agree with Big Poppa. If you still have your dad around give him a call. It will make his day. If you dad has passed on stop for a moment and think of him. His spirit will know that you are doing so.

 

[Hellboy]

bp, your dads name will outlast all of us, and without a doubt, he would be proud (and maybe a bit surprised, haha) that today the name "ernie ball" is every bit as synonymous with quality as it ever was. not as many people knew my dads name, but he was one helluva bass player, and loved music more than anyone ive ever met in my life. his birthday was 8/14, just a few days ago, and has been gone for 6 years as well. his name was chuck young, and i have attached the last picture ever taken of him. i knew when i pressed the camera shutter, and took this pic, that we were running out of time together. as it turns out, this fraction of a moment, captured in the frame, was literally the last time he looked me in the eyes, and marked the end of the last conversation we ever had (about music, naturally). his mind faded as soon as i got him back inside, and he was gone soon after. this guy was my best friend, and the only person that truly knew me, understood me, and still loved me. hahaaa. mostly because im just like him. pretty much to know me is to know him. miss him, know how ya feel. here's to the dad's!!!

Beautiful beautiful picture, Craig. Respect. My dad is still around. Age 74 now. My mom passed at age 55 abit more than 12 years ago. She always wanted me to phone her up after I´d been away scuba diving, coming home after a tour, a motorcycle trip or things like that. Just wanting to know that all was fine. It honestly took me over two years after she had passed before I stopped trying to phone her. I was actually the one that had terminated her phone subscription after she had passed but I forgot. Tried to call her when coming home after having done things she considered abit more "dangerous" for over two years. Force of habit..... Strong stuff.....

My dad played trumpet when he was younger. Stopped at age 25 about cause he didn´t have time. I told him some years ago how sad I was that he didn´t play anymore. Would have been great to play music with him and how much fun it would have been. He started to cry. One of very few times I´ve seen him cry. He miss playing but it´s just too long ago. Would have had to start all over again and now he´s 74. So that won´t happen. Music is indeed a powerful thing.

//J

 

[Big Poppa]

Craig....great shot and great story....

 

[douglasspears]

wow, powerful stuff. My regards you guys (and girls) that no longer have your pops. I get to see mine this weekend!

 

[slofingers]

My Dad would be 110 now if he were still around. Yes, I was a late arrival. He was born in 1900 so it's pretty easy to remember how old he would be. I still kick myself for not getting more stories out of him from his early years. Imagine all the changes. Unfortunately by the time I was mature enough to get along with him, he was gone. Well over 30 years now. I still miss him as much today as the day he left us. Thanks for kicking in the memory of him BP.

 

[Mabongohogany]

My Father Sam passed last November at 97 years old.
Among other things, he was a War Hero who received a lot of decorations in WWII, including 4 Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star with many Battle Stars.

More so, he was a Hero in his unconditional love and support of his Family; my Mother, Sister, and myself. These days sometimes, not so easily taken for granted.

He never particularly understood or condoned my pursuit of the arts; he would have preferred me to settle into a more stable career, but he knew, and he supported inside.

The last 2 years I spent taking care of him best I could, the last month was the hardest. I think the most difficult aspect for him was losing his independence.
He did EVERYTHING himself until at age 95, he physically no longer could.

There have been signs to me that his Spirit remains- My feelings and my belief.

Sterling, of course my condolences and I echo your sentiment to those who still can give their Dad a hug.

I'd give up All of my incredible Bass Gear for (1) more hour to talk with my Dad, I really would.
BUT if I did, I know what he'd say:
"Why did you do that?! I'm allright! Don't worry about ME! Move on, and get to the next chapter!"

God Bless.

 

[cellkirk74]

I am going to see my dad right in a view minutes. He helps out with my daughters birthdayparty. She is four years old today...

 

[Moondog]

Thanks for the reminder . . . I always get caught up in the everyday minutia and lose sight of the important things.

 

[Bean]

My father passed away 2 days after Christmas, 2001. I miss him dearly and I only wish he'd been around to see his two grand children.

Long live the old men!

 

[T-bone]

Happy Birthday Ernie Ball.

Most peoples legacy is their children. I say you did pretty well.

tbone