Daryl and John Issue Statement About T-Bone's Death

March 1st, 2010
Hall & Oates Issue Statement On The Death Of Tom “T-Bone” Wolk



Daryl Hall and John Oates have just issued a statement on the death of their friend and long-time musical cohort, bassist/multi-instrumentalist Tom “T-Bone” Wolk, who died over the weekend of a heart attack.

Daryl Hall: To say that I am shocked is the ultimate understatement. T-Bone was my musical brother and losing him is like losing my right hand. It’s not if I will go on, but how. T-Bone was one of the most sensitive and good human beings that I have ever known. And, I can truly say that I loved him.

John Oates: His character was pure and his unique and quirky personality touched everyone he encountered. His musical sensibility was peerless, any instrument that he touched resonated with a sensitivity and skill level that I have never experienced while playing with any other musician. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of styles and musical history which he referenced to support all the artists that he played with over the years. He became our band’s musical director over time leading by example and by the deference and respect that everyone who played alongside him so rightfully accorded him. He made everyone he played with better. So many times when I’m working on a musical passage or part, I think to myself: “How would T-Bone play this” and aspire to his level every time I perform. To this day I always keep one of his “I Love Vermont” guitar picks with me where ever I go and know in my heart that starting today the Heavenly Band just got one of the greatest multi-instrumentalist of all time and that band will from this day forward sound better than they ever have before.

Original post by Michael Alan Goldberg

A Musical Genius Walked Among Us

T-Bone Wolk

I still can't wrap my head around that T-Bone Wolk died last night.

Although it hasn't been officially announced, friends of his know and it's leaked out onto the internet via blogs, Facebook and other social media. I had my great friend, and fellow Hall and Oates buddy, "Babs" call me to let me know. She told me to sit down as she gave me the news. I felt numb, I couldn't believe it.

I was lucky enough to have met this man a few times. He was gracious, amazing and always had a smile on his face. I was just reminded of when he met a bunch of us fellow fans in Vegas at the Desert Inn. We had a type of fan gathering before the big show and it happened to be that three of the band members came up! He was one of them. We chatted, hung out, autographs were signed.

Then recently, just a few years ago, I met him after one of Daryl's solo shows in Lowell, MA. I caught him outside the venue and got his attention. I thanked him for all his work and dedication and said the show that night was amazing. He said: "Thanks so much! It's great to see you again too (??)!" Just an amazing human being.

I keep thinking about Daryl, John and the rest of the band. His family, friends and all us fans. I'm not sure how the H&O clan will go on without him. He's been around Daryl since 1981. Been a huge force in musical writing, arranging and now with his work from Live From Daryl's House, I'm not sure how that show will continue to move forward without his expertise.

But for now, we will honor the man, the legend he is. My heart and soul are heavy.

Rest In Peace, my friend.

Mama Bird

I just realized that I transferred a lot of these posts over to my new "mom blog" at Wordpress but didn't let readers here know!

If you'd like to check that one out, go here.

It's all mom related, just FYI. I'd like to start writing more over here too.. I should probably force myself to stop thinking "mom" all the time.. I still have my interests in music, politics, people, shows, and the like. I guess it's time to post some fun things over here too :)

Feel free to drop me a comment and ask me some questions! That will give me some sort of focus on the flip side :)