R.I.P. Tom Kirby

[eargasm!]

I've been seeing posts on Tom's page that he passed away recently. Julia Dwilet brought it to my attention the other night. Tom was a long time friend of the G45 Central and contributor to the old Garage Punk Forums where many of us made connections with each other. Tonto and the Renegades will be getting some extra time on the turntable this week.

 

[bosshoss]

Oh no you are joking?!?

 

[Darren J Wallace]

Many of Tom's friends are paying their condolences through Facebook today.

 

[MopTopMike]

I received an e-mail about Tom today.

I know he was dealing with health issues in recent years, but you never expect to hear the worst.
I never met him in person, sad to say, but we exchanged e-mails often in the past.
I couldn't have known a better person from the '60s era to help me & contribute to my projects. Tom always offered his own interesting perspective that could teach both young and old about the music we all love so much.
Unlike most people who leave this world, Tom Kirby has left a vibrant and fun legacy through the music he made a half decade ago along with his pals from Grand Ledge, Michigan.

R.I.P. my friend.

 

[Stampy]

Wow, sad to hear of this great man's passing! He always helped me out when I asked him!

 

[greenfuzz]

Tom wrote me about a month ago telling me his days were few. Since then, we've exchanged emails and he kept up a strong front just trying to make the best of what he could. He never responded to my last email, and now I know why. He told me he'd have a friend of his contact me, but this is the first I'm hearing of his passing.

Of the thousand or so ex-band members I've interviewed, Tom was one of the few I'd call a friend. He was truly a great guy. I am thankful I did get to meet him, shake hands with him, and share a beer with him.

He called me a brother, and I felt the same about him. I am definitely going to miss him.

 

[jprackets]

I first connected with Tom on the old Garagepunk forums, as many of you did. It was always great to read Tom's take on whatever we were discussing. He had a way of grounding the conversation at times that I really enjoyed. He and I continued corresponding, on and off, via email mostly about music but also interspersed with thoughts about life in general. I always appreciated his perspective and really enjoyed seeing the tone of his correspondence grow more positive as he went from health issues, to feeling better, to being voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to playing music again with a friend of his at a local bar. I'm saddened to hear of his passing.

 

[Laurent Bigot]

Very sad news.

 

[13th Floor Garage]

I guess it's been (or close to) ten years ago when he introduced himself to us all on line. I still remember his introduction (quite humble and wondering if anyone was familiar with his band). I didn't know Tom on a personal level, but always enjoyed reading his postings.

I think that a forum member named Brad bought Tom's drums a while ago. Perhaps he can share a photo or story or two.

Sad news.

 

[pfft]

Very sad news. Tom always struck me as a kind and gentle man who was proud of his musical past, and rightly so.

 

[chas_kit]

I'm sorry to hear of Tom's passing. He was maybe the only '60s garage musician to stick with our petulant forum for more than a post or two! Great musician and friendly guy, I'm happy that he knew how much we like his music.

 

[beccabear67]

Been offline for a few days.

Just... speechless.

 

[mikael]

Tom was a good dude. May his Soul rest in peace.

 

[troggy]

Tom was a good dude. May his Soul rest in peace.

Indeed, RIP Tom.

 

[axel]

Sad to hear this. He seemed to be a very likable man.