R.I.P. Clyde Holly of the band "Biloxi"

[lerxstcat]

There's a big tribute thread at www.gulfcoastbands.com which is the local music board. A lot of the bands he recorded at Holly House want to organize a benefit concert as a tribute and for his family. That will likely be done with his bandmates and me if I can help, in the weeks or maybe a month or so following his services when we can collect our thoughts.

This is really a tragedy for our local music scene. Holly House recorded more bands than any other studio on the Coast and this leaves a huge hole as he waas the guy who helped so many bands pursue their dreams. He made them sound the best they could. I used to tease him and call him "Mississsippi Mutt" because his Biloxi mixes, IMO, were as good as the DeffLeppard mixes, and with a lot less gear than Mutt Lange had recording Def Leppard. His own artistry as a writer, singer and player were so great I sometimes forget what a great producer he was as well. His customers were always ecstatic with the CDs they left Hollyhouse with, he would get your best out of you. A lot of bands got session work from him at no charge, be it guitar, bass, keyboards or backup vocals. He got involved with his clients, he CARED about them. He loved music and he loved people.

[lerxstcat]

Well, our local news channel WLOX had a nice tribute story for Clyde, calling him an icon to our local scene and describing the shock it has dealt the local music community. The news anchor, Rebecca Powers, once played in a band with Clyde too, she did a great job and there was a moment of silence before they went to commercial. They had some cool pics and a couple of video clips (silent, they were behind the narrative).

I'm sorry so many other people are in the same pain, but it's good to realize he affected so many people's lives so positively. He was the hardest working musician I ever knew, he loved the performance but he loved the nuts and bolts almost as much. The technical aspects of doing a show or recording fascinated him, and he mastered it. He was showing me his new and rare 56-channel Mackie board, well new from Ebay anyway, that last night after his show and after we'd offloaded the gear. He already had a superb setup, but he was always wanting to improve it. He never rested on his laurels, he always wanted to do and learn more.

The third Biloxi album was almost done, needing only the vocals. Obviously that will never be completed as it should have been, but we hope maybe some grat singers that he knew may guest on some tracks. His lead guitarist, Mark Lanoue, an incredible player, is also a great singer in his own right, so who knows what will happen? It can never be "right" without Clyde's vocals, but his bandmates are awesome and if some kind of tribute can come of the unfinished material that would be so cool.

Tony, I listened to Vampire last night and it hit me like never before. Incredible.

[VitaminG]

nice to hear he's getting due respect, Rich. So many great & talented people disappear without a whisper

[lerxstcat]

Thanks G, he knew he was well-liked in life but I think he'd be surprised, pleasantly, at how much the people here loved him. It's odd, I always knew he was a great artist and a great guy, but it was also kind of like "oh, that's my little brother" (I'm a year older). I am looking through different eyes and even more respect and admiration now. I am reading his lyrics more closely and seeing things I didn't see before. You know us guys usually don't talk abolut the deep stuff, but he was as close as my own blood brother was to me, and this is as hard as losing my blood brother was. Even a bit more shocking since Clyde was a lot younger.

But the outpouring of love and respect for him is very comforting. I feel empty, but grateful to all those people.

[charveljunkie]

Hey Rich,
Sorry I haven't posted in the last couple if days but I have been working almost 14 hours a day. Doing a custom 1/2 octagon kitchen cab/counter/bar-top. I have to go in tomorrow and finish. I will try and cal you tomorrow night. The past couple of days at work I have blasted-"Face the music"-and yes you really start to think about Clyde and dwell more into his lyrics. Work is backed up but I wish I could make it over for the service but I don't know if I really can?? But I will try. I will call you tomorrow night when I get in.-Remember what we talked about-Tony

[lerxstcat]

I'll look forward to that Tony. Don't feel bad if you can't come, my nephew lives in Atlanta and was very close to Clyde, and he can't even make it because he has to take care of his kids. It would be great to meet you if you could make it, though I'd rather any other circumstance than this.

His spirit knows that you loved him, that is an instant connection and I know 3 hours of quality time was more than enough to love the guy.

You know, I'm not sure how the benefit thing will be done, but if you can't make the funeral perhaps you could come for the benefit. I am going to suggest that Biloxi play a set with guests sitting in on guitars and vocals, maybe we could both get in on that. He would really love that, I know. It will likely be an outdoor event on the grounds of the local Harley shop, whose owner was also Clyde's friend.

[Norton]

Actually,I didn't know anything about the band Biloxi.But the stream on the website,wow I'm just blown away.This guy must be a first class musician.If I knew him,I'd totally miss him.


Sorry for your loss.

[lerxstcat]

He was a great musician and the sweetest guy. As a melodic hard rock singer he was as good as anybody I've heard. He played guitar very well too, pretty good bass player, decent keyboardist and drummer too.

He literally saved my life in L.A. when I was strung out on drugs, he took me off the street and helped me get straight. No rehab, just a friend who loved me and wouldn't let me die. His sister Denise helped me there too though I don't know if she realized the details, but he was living with her at the time. I cleaned up and went and got a job, but I only had the chance because he was there for me. He acted like it was nothing, of course. "You'd do it for me" was all he'd ever say, or smile his lopsided grin and hug me or something. My tombstone would read 1988 if not for him.

We all have good friends, but not all have friends who literally saved our lives. I was very lucky and blessed to have such a friend. It wasn't just me either, if the guy loved you he loved you unconditionally. There will be a lot of people at the wake and funeral who can say he was their best friend, like I can, and they will all be right because his heart had unlimited room.

There are a few other studios in this area, and some produce some good-sounding stuff, I hear. But I really think Clyde's Holly House had a lot to do with making the original music scene here flourish. If you wanted to form a band, write and then record, it provided a place to go where you could do it without selling your soul for studio time, and wher your CD would sound like a major-label priority project. That's like plowing and fertilizing the field, the seeds can then be sown and grow. 3 Doors Down is not my musical cup of tea but they're probably the most successful rock band to come out of our area, and the first since Greg Giuffria got signed in Angel in the 70s. Greg had to move to Washington, D.C. to get signed though, 3 Doors Down got signed from the Coast if I'm correct. I was still in California at the time and when I heard them I was just happy a Mississippi band made it. Then I mentioned it on the phone to Clyde and he told me he produced the original version of Kryptonite that got them signed. I should have known.

Anyway, it's early Friday morning now. The wake is today and we start to actually say goodbye. I haven't seen him, only his wife, stepson and sister have so far. I don't know how I'm going to handle that. This really sucks.

[lerxstcat]

Almost time. Please send out your thoughts and prayers for Clyde and his family.

[horns666]

Rich, you are one of my very best friends here. You have been since the day I arrived..I don't know Clyde or am I familiar with is work. I know he had to one hell of a guy , musician and bro. If I did, I know we would be friends as well. Because you hold him in such high regaurd..

I'm very sorry Rich, man when it rains it certainly pours..I did my share of crying in the last three days for the love of those in my life that I care for so much that are now gone, in distress and in pain..

Ya know I love ya man, and I'm very sorry bro. I hope the benefit show turns out awesome, I'm sure it will, there will be lots of love there !!

He sure sounds like one kick ass dude,

May he RIP

Take care man, you are in my thoughts..but you always are.

Bill

I'll be gone this weekend , we'll touch base soon

[charveljunkie]

Rich,
Your in my thoughts today!! I felt the same way about going to see Kipp. It was very painful and was tearing my soul apart. Just remember what we talked about. Call me when you get in tonight.
Tony

[Firebird V]

So Sorry. I am sure he will be missed.

[lerxstcat]

Thanks Bill and Chris, and everybody again. Tony, it's 2AM and I don't want to call that late, plus I have to be back at the funeral home a little after 10AM. The funeral service is at 2PM, not sure if we'll each get to speak or not, it was so chaotic I couldn't discuss it with his wife or sister because we were all greeting and reminiscing, there were hundreds of people and many I hadn't seen since our teens. Clyde got great love from them all. So I will give you a ring tomorrow, I am completely wiped out, but it was good to see so many turn out. And tomorrow will probably be even more since it's Saturday and the actual funeral.

[Reverend Timmy]

Rich,hang in there.You have lost a true friend and I know about the pain you feel.Our prayers are with you and your family............................................ ..

[lerxstcat]

Well, we buried my friend today and considering the tragedy of it, you couldn't ask for a better sendoff. Many hundreds of people turned out for the visitations last night and today, his bandmates and sister spoke beautifully of him, and I got to say a few words as well as several other folks. I even learned a few things eve I didn't know from his friend Beverly, who met him on the first day of first grade. She's got seniority and some good stories that, as she said "I can't say all the details because there are too many policemen here today"!


It sounds trite to say there was a lot of love in the room, but everybody who came loved Clyde and knew that he loved them. 95% of the people were musicians of all ages and styles. His sister Denise and wife Raechel did a beautiful job under the worst conditions of honoring our guy.

With all the love he left behind, Clyde can rest in peace knowing we will all find a way to go on, helping each other like he helped everyone he knew. He led his band and lived his life by example. He would never ask you to do anything that he wouldn't put in tenfold the effort. If we all acted like that the world would have no problems.

Goodbye, my friend. You're not too far from home. I'm glad I took the time to understand you.