Re: [Harp-L] Richard Farrell RIP

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

One of things I miss most about SPAH is that Richard Farrell stopped 
attending. Going through his tables of various harmonicas was beyond being like a kid 
in a candy store. He always had what I needed. And what I needed was what I 
didn't have. His prices were great (40% off list) and his stock was plentiful. 

SBS harps. Henry Bahnson overblow Golden Melody harps. Koch chromatics C and 
G (blues harp layout, so it bends); Slide Harp chromatic harmonicas (C & G) 
like Koch but with half-valves so it doesn't leak as much and offers blow bends 
on low end just like conventional harp. Hering chromatics in just about every 
key. His lifetime comb harmonica. He sold repair tools back when most people 
tossed their bad harps in the sock drawer.

And when I started teaching introductory harmonica classes, he had good, 
inexpensive harmonicas that I could buy by the carton for my students.

Plus, he was always ready to talk harmonicas. And unlike many attending the 
SPAH conventions, he had no sense of the chromatic being the only real 
harmonica; he sold lots more diatonics and he knew where his business was. 

I also made many orders over the phone and when he answered the line, I was 
glad I was on the toll free line because he liked to talk. And I never had a 
bad deal with him during several hundred dollars worth of harmonicas. He never 
performed at SPAH (that I know), but he was one of the stars of the convention, 
right up there with Pete Pederson, Gordon Mitchell and Danny Wilson.

 I've been missing   him for several years now. And now that he's gone, I'll 
miss him even more.

Phil Lloyd




In a message dated 2/28/07 6:49:34 AM, rickepping@xxxxxxxxx writes:


> Hi Folks,
> 
> John Murphy just informed me of the passing of Richard Farrell.  Following
> is the obituary from The Columbus Dispatch
> http://www.legacy.com/Dispatch/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&;
> PersonId=86639437
> :
> 
> Richard E. Farrell, age 86, of Grove City, passed away Sunday, February 25,
> 2007. Richard was the owner of F & R Farrell Co., in which he sold
> harmonicas world wide and was a WWII Army veteran. Preceded in death by his
> wife Alice Farrell and daughter Belin Marconi. Survivors include his
> grandchildren, Bernadette R., Dominic E. and Marina M. Marconi; son-in-law,
> Edward Marconi. Friends may visit Thursday from 2-3 p.m. at THE
> SPENCE-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 2697 Columbus Street, Grove City, where prayer
> service will be held at 3 p.m. Interment will take place Friday at Calvary
> Cemetery in Pittsburgh, PA. Online guest book at *
> www.spencemillerfuneralhome.com* <http://www.spencemillerfuneralhome.com/>.
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Richard was a friend to many, and a true champion of the harmonica.
> 
> Best regards,
> Rick Epping
> _______________________________________________
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> 
> 




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