By BankHouseDave (195.93.34.12) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 06:28 pm:

My greatest musical hero was Earl Van Dyke. My greatest musical hero IS Earl Van Dyke. When I first figured out who he was - around 1965-6, I wanted to play like him. Nearly 40 years on, I'm beginning to get the message that it's not going to happen (at least, not to the degree that anyone else recognises).

Earl's name comes up with regularity on this forum. My question is does his family know in what regard we hold him? Do they know how much he is known and valued throughout the world.

I'd love to be in touch with Doris and the family and also to publish the story of a man who could have been a big name in jazz if he hadn't been a big undercover agent for funk. A man also who was a great thinker and a guide for his community and students.

He didn't survive on this planet long enough to take part in the SITSOM thing, but I hope he knows we love him and his family are getting that message too.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.10) on Saturday, April 03, 2004 - 06:31 pm:

That's a nice touch BHD.

It IS a thought regards his family.