Robert 'Birdy' Mullen

There aren't enough pages in this blogosphere to contain the words I could say about Birdy. He was the top. Gone entirely too soon and there's part of my heart that has never mended. He was my guardo camino. My muse, my compadre, my brother. I can state 100% truthfully that without him I would not be who I am today. He taught me. He helped me. He showed me that music isn't just what you hear, it's what you feel. He helped me understand that music that isn't shared isn't meeting its potential. He was the best musician I have ever seen, heard, or imagined. I'm truly sorry if you didn't know him because you're life would have been all the better if you had.

Every song I've ever heard reminds me of Birdy. Every song I will ever hear will remind me of him.

These are the ones that have special meaning to me and the ones that are the soundtrack to the movie in my memory.


New Order-True Faith



the Clash-Stay Free



the Gun Club-Walking With The Beast



the Nipple Erectors-So Pissed Off



the Rave-Ups-In My Gremlin



Screaming Trees-Beyond This Horizon



Michael Hutchence-Rooms For The Memory




Love And Rockets-Haunted When The Minutes Drag



Stranglers-North Wind




I miss you brother.

















the Wonderstuff-Sing the Absurd

Natalie Wall

Natalie was probably my closest friend in high school. She understood me better than I understood myself. She is one of the (if not the) smartest friends I've ever had. Her mind worked in ways that I can only imagine. And, of course, she was one of the very few that could get me to shut up.I miss her more every day and I wish I could know she was well.

She was the John Lydon expert at the age of 14 and yet she couldn't drive a stick shift...
PiL-Seattle


She liked this tune and so do I.
Sarah Brightman-Meadowlark

Brandon Sjogren

Brandon is one of the most unique characters ever. He follows the beat of about 38 of his own different drums. If not for Brandon I most likely would have been in a book tower somewhere at a very early age. Of course, being his friend was one of the craziest ideas ever...

I miss him a lot and I know that one day soon he'll drop back into my life again.

the Meatmen-One down Three To Go



Metallica-Last Caress

Dale Sjogren

Dale is Brandon's mother. She is one of the most beautiful souls I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I always marveled as she went from playing her cello with the finesse of a master and then up and decided that she should learn the harmonica. I spent hours with her discussing everything from opera to film to sociology to politics to mythology and fairy tales to Samuel Beckett to the finer points of junk food.


10,000 Maniacs-Verdi Cries

Jason Phillips

Jason and I were always on the fringe of each other. It wasn't until his last year of school that we started to hang out more. Unfortunately, I always knew that when his senior year was done he would be getting out while I was still stuck getting by. He was a good friend and taught me a lot about underground newspapers, fun music, and the benefits of Friendly's bottomless cup of coffee. He's certainly no Deadbeat. Wait a second...yes he is.










He really does say bzzz bzzz bzzz just because...
The Cramps-Human Fly



God I really want a coffee now. Who has a pad of paper and a pen?
? & the Mysterians-96 Tears

Stewart Erlich

Stewart is one of the best people I know. I didn't spend a ton of time with him, but he'll always stick with me. His passion for music made me realise just how much I still loved music. He accompanied me to a magic Neil Young show and it's one of my all time favorite gigs. I never thought anyone could do Neil better than Neil...until I heard Stewart's rendition of this tune.







Neil Young-World On A String




By the way, check out his new gig Wadirum

MaryStarr

So, what to say about MaryStarr? Well, she's got a heart of gold and is one of the most inspirational people on the earth. She has more talent in her little toe than most people have in their entire body. If she ever stopped dancing, the world would cease.


















Whenever I hear this song, it's her voice that soothes my mind.
Judy Collins-Jerusalem



And this song? Well she certainly was, and is, a truly free spirit. She will always be my friend.

Phish-Wading In the Velvet Sea