Tulsa's biggest bass player passed away this morning. He was a gift to Tulsa music. The void will not be filled. Big man was lucky to go this long. Tulsa's own Charlie Mingus.
"The latest sun is sinking fast, my race is nearly run
My strongest trials now are past, my triumph is begun
O come Angel Band, come & around me stand
O bear me away on your snowy wings to my immortal home
O bear me away on your snowy wings to my immortal home
I know I'm near the holy ranks of friends & kindred dear
I've brushed the dew on Jordan's banks, the crossing must be near
I've almost gained my Heavenly home, my spirit loudly sings
The Holy ones, behold they come, I hear the noise of wings
O bear my longing heart to Him who bled & died for me
Whose blood now cleanses from all sin & gives me victory"
Stanley Brothers, Angel Band
What was the cause of death?
I met Jimmy through his Brother Louis in the late 60s. He was a member of my teenage gang – The Circle. He talked about guitar just about all the time. And he and his brother hung out with an Armenian named Steve Hayes. They had a running joke about Aardvarks and a fantasy kingdom called, was it Aframbia. He was a mountain of creativity back then. Apparently that creativity continued and grew after I lost touch with him.
Our gang could take a nothing Tulsa night and turn it into an adventure. Funny how those nights stretched on for as far as the mind could see. We were going to live forever.
Really sad news. He was an amazing talent. We'll miss ya Jimmy!
Quote from: Mike 01Hawk on May 04, 2009, 01:13:27 PM
What was the cause of death?
Jimmy had to have open heart surgery two months ago to replace a heart valve that had a growth on it. Kudos to St. Francis Hospital doctors for attempting the impossible. He actually was released for several weeks but last week took a serious turn for the worse.
Homey, great story. There's tons of memories of this creative soul. He could shakedown, shakeout, and shake and bake. He had no patience for the oppressors, the politicians, and the heartless powers who tell us what to think.
Jimmy was a 1972 Hale graduate. I saw him play for dance music for years with Jim Sweeney and Chris Campbell, at the same time playing blues with Danny Baker.
He will be missed.
Here's an older pic of the Jim Sweeney band. Jimmy Strader on the far left.
(http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs035.snc1/3273_1091930149887_1575525979_30200204_2213208_n.jpg)
Big bass, bigger heart. The rhythm section won't be the same without Jimmy.
Tulsa lost a giant in many ways.
I alway knew the band was going to be good when I walked into a joint and saw the big man. He was a solid peice of the Tulsa music scene. He will be remembered fondly. :'( ;D