Big Poppa
Well-known member
Yesterday I lost a friend. He was a friend first and a customer second. His name was Pat Bonham. HE was involved with our stuff for the most part of 30 years in Australia.
I met him in 1974. I was a wild guy entering the business and he was partners with a guy named Peter Hayward (Who also passed away).
Peter and I were like oil and water and Pat was always excited and positive. Qualities that
he carried throughout his life. When you are coming up in a business many people dont want to listen to you they want to go to the top. Pat never did that...he showed interest and respect from day one. I saw history repeat itself with Brian and Pat working a few NAMM shows ago and I remembered what Pat meant to me way back when.
Many people can try to manufacture passion, with Pat it came naturally. I remember driving him to the Sundance saloon in 74 to hear Albert play. I remember playing Pat a demo of Biff Baby's Allstars and him insisting on bringing us down there....not once but twice! He arranged clinics and gigs and drove us all over the country....(ok we flew to Adelaide and Freeemantle) Im sure he lost his ass but I'm also sure that he loved every minute of it.
When he found out about Anthony Kim and my involvement I heard from him a bunch but didnt hear from him for awhile and lept meaning to check up on him. I didnt know he had gotten sick. I feel badly that I didn't get in touch.
You get lucky a few times and get to have someone in your life where only good thoughts and feelings are associated with that special person. Pat Bonham was at the top of that list. I'll miss him.
Here is to you Patty!
I met him in 1974. I was a wild guy entering the business and he was partners with a guy named Peter Hayward (Who also passed away).
Peter and I were like oil and water and Pat was always excited and positive. Qualities that
he carried throughout his life. When you are coming up in a business many people dont want to listen to you they want to go to the top. Pat never did that...he showed interest and respect from day one. I saw history repeat itself with Brian and Pat working a few NAMM shows ago and I remembered what Pat meant to me way back when.
Many people can try to manufacture passion, with Pat it came naturally. I remember driving him to the Sundance saloon in 74 to hear Albert play. I remember playing Pat a demo of Biff Baby's Allstars and him insisting on bringing us down there....not once but twice! He arranged clinics and gigs and drove us all over the country....(ok we flew to Adelaide and Freeemantle) Im sure he lost his ass but I'm also sure that he loved every minute of it.
When he found out about Anthony Kim and my involvement I heard from him a bunch but didnt hear from him for awhile and lept meaning to check up on him. I didnt know he had gotten sick. I feel badly that I didn't get in touch.
You get lucky a few times and get to have someone in your life where only good thoughts and feelings are associated with that special person. Pat Bonham was at the top of that list. I'll miss him.
Here is to you Patty!
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