A SPOUSE WRITES.

[abstamaria]

Let me share with you something my wife wrote.

"For over 15 years, chasing That Sound - the quest to replicate 60--year-old instrumental recordings by the English band The Shadows - was part of our home’s activities. (For the benefit of our young friends, the Shadows with Hank Marvin on lead guitar, was the most popular UK band before The Beatles.) That led me to meet the celebrity Lito Toribio, who was the drummer of the famous, early 1960s Philippine combo The Electromaniacs. When he first played at home, I had to rush down to the studio to see who was playing. He was so musical! The drums sang!

"Pretty soon, Lito was a regular at home, as he agreed to be the drummer for my husband’s band Walking Shadow. Walking Shadow is not a professional band and does not gig. However, with Lito on board and as part of the Madeleine Cookie Company, it put together what I consider really excellent and very professional musical productions, each scripted and carefully rehearsed - many times!. One was to assist musicians in their retirement years, as, having played on cruise ships and as session musicians, they often do not have pensions or medical insurance.

Lito proved an endearing man. He never acted like the superstar he was and stressed he was happy to play with people who tried their best and had the right attitude. He did not take the many, many practice sessions casually, but was always serious in his craft, professional, and dedicated. He kept hand-written music sheets to remind him of the nuances of each piece. He was a perfectionist. While he would correct and make suggestions to the band, he was never overbearing or impatient. He fit in easily in Walking Shadow.

I enjoyed his enthusiasm for the lunches and dinners I cooked when the band got together at home to practice. He was generous with his compliments and seemed genuinely enthusiastic for my cooking. He was wonderful to have at the table. He was a lovely man.

"Just tonight, when my husband was preparing for a practice session at home, the first after the pandemic, I absent-mindedly asked if Lito were coming to jam. 'He died two years ago,' my husband reminded me sadly. 'Why don’t I recall attending his funeral?' I asked. 'That was the height of Covid,' my husband replied. I had forgotten, as I do often in respect of friends who I did not see in the three years of the pandemic but passed away then. I had gotten used to not seeing them. In my mind, they were simply out of sight, but just around; I could always just call them.

That was a reminder to me that that every second is precious. I am happy the guys are practicing and look forward to those 60-year-old tunes wafting from the studio."

[Stu's Dad]

Thank you Andy for reminding us what's important. You're a lucky man to have a wife who takes an interest in your music too.

I had a major heart attack last November and at one stage was told that I probably wouldn't come home again. Luckily I mad a recovery, not to my previous strength, but was allowed home after a month and I'm still here with my wonderful wife and family.

I still love playing my guitars but I don't have the strength to play as many hours as I used to, yet still I count my blessings.

Best wishes to you and your wife,

Len

[abstamaria]

Yes, Len, she reminds us what is important at this stage.

I am sorry to hear of your heart attack last year, but I’m happy you pulled through well and now are at home with your wife and family. And that your enthusiasm remains.

I’m sure you will regain your strength well enough to play, perhaps not the long hours as before, but enough to enjoy the music.

With good wishes,

Andy