[Harp-L] a Tuff Week in NYC....Hugh & Phil

[Rob Paparozzi <chromboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Last week we lost two Heavy's in the Music Biz here in NY with strong 
ties to our Harmonica Community...I had the honor of working with them 
both over the years and they were wonderful people with huge talents. I 
thought it'd be a good idea to share this with our list.....

RIP

Hugh McCracken

Guitar, Diatonic & Bass Harmonica (if any of you have my CD you can hear 
Hugh on Bass Harp on 'Strange Brew' & on Dobro on 'Keep it Simple' also 
he plays E. Guitar on ' Monkey Around  w/ The Late Phoebe Snow...to see 
the amazing volume of work he did just google his name, it's scary!.  
Hugh was an old friend of the Late Don Brooks who died in 2000 of 
Leukemia. Both loved to play harp and Golf in between all their NY 
sessions back in the 70-90's. Hugh left us last week after a battle with 
Leukemia as well.

Phil Ramone - Didn't play Harp but sure used enough of us Harmonica 
players in NY, I had the honor of working with Phil a on a few 
occassions. Even more fascinating, Phil's Mentor was someone lots of of 
knew in the Harmonica world.  Charlie Leighton took Ramone under his 
wing in the 60's in NY and showed him the ropes (as an Audio Engineer) 
and even worked in the same studio with him. Phil went on to to win many 
Grammies and always spoke highly of the talents of Leighton**and influence*.

*Best,
Rob Paparozzi
http://www.robpaparozzi.com/