RIP ILX poster Rickey Wright (aka "If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up")

this is really very sad. rest in peace.

our paths never really crossed but this is very sad, shocking. RIP.

RIP

...

I think I noticed his name so well/every time because my dad's a big fan of TY.
Shit man, this is just sad. Higgs, Rev, and for all those who knew him much better, I feel for you.

Rest in Peace

rest in peace ... i always enjoyed rickey's posts (even though i didn't know him very well).

Rest in peace - condolences to all family/friends - his posts on ilx were always good replies/good reads

great taste in music, sharp sense of humor, personable posting style, he seemed like a good man. this is a shock. best wishes to his family/

:( very sad. thank you for letting people know, rev.

^ terrible username right now, btw, i apologize

damn, i had no contact with him at all but this is still terribly sad. RIP and much love to friends and family

RIP, this is so very sad, my condolences to rickey's friends and family.

Baruch Dayan Emet. :(

He was hands down one of the sweetest people I've ever known. We would get drinks and talk music all the time. I adored him. I can't even describe how much I'm going to miss him.

If Rickey Wright would be still alive, most other posters could shut up. RIP.

^^^^^just what I was about to say.

Sad news indeed. :(

RIP

I will probably be posting snippets on this thread for a while. Forgive me. I'd found out about the stroke when I got back to Seattle a week ago tonight; it floored me but we all thought he was going to get better; the opposite happened. It's been a very edgy week for his friends, including a few others (the higgs in particular--his closest friend, an absolutely remarkable woman who's been running interference for a lot of folks in disseminating news, among many other things), not to mention his family.

Rickey really could talk to absolutely anybody about anything, with total empathy and zero sense that anybody was imposing on the other. He was very funny and very lively--not loud, just enthusiastic in a way that other people could get caught up in, very easily. That personality type is rare with music writers (I certainly don't have it) and without. We'd agree to meet up for an hour and it would turn to four. It didn't take anything to get him talking, or for him to listen--I don't know many better listeners than Rickey was. He was such a cool fucking person and the fact that he went as young as he did (mid-40s, I believe) is devastating.

What a terrible thing to have to read about. Poor guy. My condolences to his friends & family.

RIP

I don't really have more to say; I didn't know Rickey IRL and hardly interacted with him here, but I enjoyed reading his posts. My thoughts and condolences are with those closer to him.

How awful. I'm so sorry to read this news, especially for someone so young. Rest well.

I don't really have more to say; I didn't know Rickey IRL and hardly interacted with him here, but I enjoyed reading his posts. My thoughts and condolences are with those closer to him.

^^^^^^^ :( :( :( R.I.P.

If I don't make sense, blame the double d of nyquil.

Rickey was a "sports fan" about music, culture, and anything else that was the topic. I mean that in the way that Matos above described better. He was passionate and engaging about all of this, but you never felt intimidated by his passionate rhetoric. I'd say the same for all my Seattle peeps actually, but Rickey's delivery was unique. So many stories he had yet to tell. He could have lived to be 400, and that still wouldn't have been enough time for him to tell them all.

I also remember him at David Ritz speech at EMP 2008. Rickey was the de facto Marvin Gaye-ologist of our bunch. Even if someone else knew a little more, I didn't know a bigger Gaye fan. So I'm glad he got to see Ritz (writer and close acquaintance of Gaye) before this. He will be missed tremendously, especially at EMP 2009.

I'm still trembling when I see posts of his less than two weeks ago, like talking about "aqua boogie" on the ILM thread about Jet magazine 1979 picks. "why?" I pound on my bed. :(. But I know someday these posts will be whst they are -- testament to his sweetness and greatness.

Many heartfelt hugs to higgs, Morley t, rev, matos, Jen m, Charles my partner who met rickey once, and all of rickey's family and friends.

Maybe the most telling aspect about him is that when I'd tell friends--friends who knew Rickey also--that he was 45 or 46 (still not entirely sure), all of them were surprised: "He seemed so much younger." He did! He seemed like a teenager in a lot of ways. He had a keen sense of silliness--he wasn't silly, per se, he just appreciated it a lot. (YAAHH TRICK YAAHH!) He knew how to have a good time. I think that comes across in what he wrote, professionally and on ILM alike.

I remember we had first bonded on ILM over our mutual love of Stevie Wonder. When we first met in person, we started chatting in the EMP bar, not knowing who each other were. Eventually I stuck out my hand and said something to the effect of "Oh, by the way, my name is Rodney," to which he smiled and replied, "I'm Rickey. We both love Stevie Wonder." What a guy. I went down to the hospital and sang "If It's Magic" to him the other day. It just seemed like the right thing. He wasn't awake, but I'd like to think he heard me.

Don't think we had much ILX interaction but seemed like a really solid poster and also a dude on the basis of people's testimony above, RIP

"A dude" doesn't even begin to come close. He was that dude.

Fuck. Mortality's a fact we're all subject to but sudden and premature death is fiercely cruel, especially to those left behind. RIP Rickey, and all the best to those of you who knew him in any capacity.

RIP Rickey.

Condolences to everybody who loved you.

:( very sad. thank you for letting people know, rev.

― Happy, the Juggling Clown (some dude), Friday, 20 February 2009 06:19 (1 hour ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

^ terrible username right now, btw, i apologize

― some dude, Friday, 20 February 2009 06:20 (1 hour ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

He'd have smiled at this...

RIP

wow, that's terrible. i didn't know him, but i liked his writing, here and elsewhere. very sorry to hear it.

a nice obituary, if there is such a thing.

haha he wore his encyclopedic knowledge so lightly, though. it's really great to read how beloved he was in Norfolk, too--nice to see how broadly that was known.

My God, condolences to all his family and friends. Love to you all. RIP.

RIP. I never really interacted with him much, that I can remember, but condolences to his family everyone here who knew him. I've just searched under his name and he strikes me as the sort of poster I should have paid more attention to.

Damn, this is terrible. Condolences to everyone. Rest in Peace.

What a terrible start to the day here. Thoughts are with friends and family. Reverend, your post about singing 'It's Magic' to him has made me well up, sounds like he was a great guy irl.

RIP Rrrickey. One of the good guys by all accounts.

I went down to the hospital and sang "If It's Magic" to him the other day. It just seemed like the right thing. He wasn't awake, but I'd like to think he heard me.

aw Rev that's so great ;_;

Was always drawn to his posts on ILM, this is terrible news. Rest in Peace.

oh man i just saw this. I didn't know him well but I liked his posts too. Condolences to his friends and family. Rest in peace.

Pretty much echoing what Matt DC said above; not someone I really (or ever?) interacted with on ILx - I always noticed the Timi Yuro tag and nodded my head at most of what he posted even if I didn't respond - but RIP and all best to those here and elsewhere who knew him best.

This is awful. RIP.

this is truly horrible news! christ, i was hoping against hope that this would turn out to be yet another tasteless joke thread, but no such luck. i didn't know the guy myself but really wish i had gotten the chance to now; he was my main man on the Whatcha Listening to thread.

condolences to friends and family.

this is the last exchange we had on ilm (man, what i wouldn't give to take the past two weeks back...):

Unknown Session, Duke Ellington
The Raincoats

Thanks for repping, Hurting and Kenan!

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Monday, February 2, 2009 11:28 AM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

I sort of forgot I had a copy of On the Rise here, then idly looked at a big stack of LPs in the living room, so:
"Just Be Good to Me," The SOS Band

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 12:02 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Just as I was starting to think "Greatest record ever?" about that nine-minute track, I found this 12-inch:
"Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick"/"There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards"

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 12:10 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Then (I was discouraged by you!):
"Wheel Me Out"/"Hello Operator . . . I Mean Dad . . . I Mean Police . . . I Can't Even Remember Who I Am"

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 12:18 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

This makes me wanna take a drive, but the car I "have access to" isn't equipped with a record player:
Little Feat
"I haven't made sense in so long, I almost quit tryin'."

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 12:34 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

I sure don't owe that record anything; I've gotta so much pleasure out of it and I think I paid a buck for it in Philly one time.

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 12:37 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

*gotten

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 12:37 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

I also listened to "Red Guitar" by Loudon Wainwright III, a song no one ever talks about, before this.

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 12:41 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

OK, just Side One of the Little Feat. If that's punk rock of one sort, this is it of another:
Of Human Feelings

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 12:51 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

lol, ur durnk?

― (a mess0 (Ioannis), Friday, February 6, 2009 12:55 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Yes! How'd you know?

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 12:58 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Chuck Berry, Johnny B. Goode: His Complete '50s Chess Recordings (Chuck's da man! bought cheap!)

xp

lucky guess.

― (a mess0 (Ioannis), Friday, February 6, 2009 12:59 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Wow, I've got so much Chuck, but not that box. That's sweet, would fit well in my condition.

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 1:01 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Heh, Ronald Shannon Jackson ends one track on the Ornette with about a bar of "Funk #49."

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 1:04 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

Side Two of Another Green World. If I stay awake long enough, then there'll be a Blood & Fire sampler CD called Dubwise & Otherwise 2. Otherwise, 'night.

― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Friday, February 6, 2009 1:11 PM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

R.I.P Rickey

I also assumed this was going to be another one of those joke threads.

very sad news. RIP

RIP

Such sad news, he will certainly be missed. RIP.

Thia ia awful. RIP

Very very sad. All best wishes to people who knew and loved him.

Oh this is so sad. Rest in peace.

I was also hoping this would be a joke thread. alas no.

February 6, 2009 12:59 PM (2 weeks ago)

:-((( If we only could turn back time and change the course.

Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/obituaries/2008771370_wrightobit22m.html

Rip. Way too early obv.

being a "middle-distance" person, a fond aquaintance, i've been pondering for several days how to pay tribute to rickey. rickey's sweetness, his love of and knowledge about music, have been well and rightly documented. my perception of him, based on a handful of meetings at faps and parties, is a little different.

he and i never talked about music! but we danced at parties, and i am compelled to report that that man was a fun and foxy dancer. his enthusiasm communicated itself in his moves, in the smile on his face, in the way he nodded his head to the beat as if to say, "yes! yes, this is it!" the last party we had, rickey fucking made the party for me with his dancing. i would have danced with him any time.

the last time i saw him was at a meet-up where none of my regulars were in attendance, so i felt a little out of my element. but rickey and i started chatting and that's how i spent the rest of my evening. we talked about projects each of us were working on, our mothers, thanksgiving traditions. interesting and interested. well-spoken. sweet, yes indeed. to a person that was one of the first words spoken when our little "middle-distance" group learned of and shared information about rickey's hospitalization.

we parted that night -- i also must tell you that he was a impressive hugger -- saying, "we should hang out some time!" except we didn't, and i am so very sad that we can't.

wow, i didn't see this.
very sad.
did not know the man but i would echo the others that said he seemed like a great poster and a nice guy.
my thoughts go out to his friends and family.

same here, seems like one of the good ones

If I ever get in any kind of music trivia contest I'm going to channel him, both to have access to his incredible body of knowledge and to partake of the class with with which he displayed it.

A few things got posted over on ILM

Farewell Rickey Wright (ILM link to ILE R.I.P. thread for ILM poster "If Timi Yuri Would Still be Alive"

Just posted on Facebook, for those in Seattle or nearby:

---

Just wanted to let you all know that Rickey's Seattle memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2009 at The Sunset in Ballard.

Please mark your calendars for this special celebration. We'll have DJs on hand spinning Rickey-inspired tunes, so plan to join us as we smile and remember our friend.

We'll be in touch with more details as they develop.

The Sunset
5433 Ballard Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98107
(206) 784-4880
http://www.sunsettavern.com/

This is shocking. Rickey was a freelance music writer for the Richmond newspaper where I wrote obituaries around 1989 or 1990. We both did concert reviews subbing for the regular critic who didn't much want to stay up all night at Metallica or D.O.A. I often ran into him and his long coat at shows. We reconnected briefly through ILX a couple years back. Great guy. Excellent writer. So knowledgeable. RIP.

He kinda had this running joke with me where he'd post my fave Olivia Newton John album cover on threads just to get a reaction from me. I thought it was funny. Very sorry not to have ever met the guy.

Just remembered what my be my favorite of Rickey's store of ideas: "The difference between 1984 and 1986 is that in 1984, Huey Lewis & the News had a hit with 'I Want a New Drug,' and in 1986 their hit was 'Stuck with You.'"

always so happy to see one of rick's posts :)

Agreed! Still miss him, still very glad he was here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asw-fjJRogU