Very sad to hear of the passing of Gerald McGhee. Far too young. I was fortunate to work with him live and in the studio with Brighton Rock. He was a great guy. My heart goes out to his family and bandmates. RIP. Gerry.Mike Beattie
I remember first hearing his voice and as usual, going on and on way too much about it to my musical friends. My favorite memory of him was when my buddies took me to the Misty Moon to see them for my birthday and making so much noise from the upper level that the band was smiling at us and nodding to us the whole show.Jamie Vernon
Canadian rockers knew him as the singer for Brighton Rock. I got to work with him in business when his import/export business Isotope was just taking off from a small industrial unit in Mississauga. He and I cut a deal to distribute my Bullseye catalog overseas. It got us into Australia, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. He was always up front and walked me through the landmines with retail in other territories. He was also fair and paid on time and let me know if our product was sub-par for those markets. A true gentleman in a business full of snakes. My deepest condolences to his wife and daughters, his bandmates, and the many industry people he was loved by.
This is a bit heartbreaking - in a previous life as an entertainment PR person, I got to work with Salome Bey a number of times in the 80s and 90s. A very real talent, but more than that, a very warm person and a great positive influence for so many, including me. There won't be another like her.Eric Alper
Canada’s first lady of blues, Salome Bey, has died. She was honoured with a Toronto Arts Award and an honourary Member of the Order of Canada.
She mixed between sorrowful & uplifting euphoria with forthright vocals always on top form, and one the nicest, kindest people in music.Jace Martin
It is so sad to hear of the passing of my greatest mentor in music, Salome Bey...I was 11 years old the first day I met her, I was so nervous at my audition for "Rainboworld" among 40 of Toronto's finest young singers, actors, dancers and musicians that included Grammy Winner, Deborah Cox. I sang my favourite song, "Amazing Grace" but I didn't do it well cause I was so shy...I was about to leave and she stopped me, and told me to come over to her. She asked me to just take a breath. Everything was calm and I sang again, this time I nailed it! Then she told me I got the part and that I had something special to share with the world
She then mentored me for 4 summers and beyond while I lived with her and her family in Toronto during rehearsals and performances of "Rainboworld". That light has been in my heart since then and so has my passion for music...I last seen Salome when I performed at her benefit at LuLu's Lounge a few years back and I hugged her and told her I loved her! She is reunited in heaven with her husband & the coolest guy I ever met, Howard! I am currently recording my new album "Rainboworld" dedicated to her and am so sad, she won't get to hear it! But I hope God pulls back the clouds while I record the song I wrote for her called, "Rainboworld"! Rainboworld to me meant everyone is loved...we are all special...we are all created equal...she helped me realize that at a young age and I thank you Salome! I love you and your family with all my heart!Micah Barnes
Salome. The mother of us all! A voice truly blessed from heaven. Who came to inspire us. Travel easy Momma Bey. xo just one of your many children...
I've always thought Jimmy Witherspoon was the quintessential war time blues singer. He had that great big band timeless shout blues style that could also get low down and soulful with the jazz cats. Hope he's belting it out for his 100th in that big ol' gig in the sky....
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