Tom Stein Passed away today - sad news
TOM STEIN -- APRIL 14, 1952 - JUNE 28, 2010
Today brings sad news and a very long and painful day. I received news this morning that my dear friend Tom Stein passed away - 10:35 AM. Although it was not a huge surprise that Tommy was dealing with life threatening illness, this still shocked me and many dear friends.
Tom Stein was a boss, dear friend and talented musician. I first met Tom as a near child, just starting off my music career and it feels like he was with me my whole adult life, until this mornings passing. I had the opportunity to visit Tom in the Hospital 2 weeks ago and he was not looking that great to be honest, but had that Tommy attitude with a little added drugs for pain - pretty funny even at the end.
I love and will deeply miss Tom like I know many of you will. Tom had an ‘in your face’ personality that could talk the paint off a Buick! He was a legend for many things, and I am sure a memorial service with any open mic would go on for hours with favorite Tom Stein stories - we all have them.
Prayers for his wife Claudia and daughter Lona.... They are really hurting today.
I got a text this morning that he had slipped into a coma and then passed away - shock - It happened so fast.... It was less than a month ago doctors had diagnosed Tom with Liver Cancer. He was up for the fight, for the most part; but sadly lost that fight today.
I then spent the morning doing what I could do since I knew his family would be unable to make calls for a few days - I called thru my phone and phone book until I had called every friend I knew would want to know. It was hours of calls with so many tears. I was overwhelmed with the impact 1 person makes just living life. The hardest was my dear ex-wife Diana – we met on Tom’s gig. Many had only heard he was ill and had no idea it was that bad – so sorry to be the barer of bad news.
I want to remind you that you can make donations to the family – I would really be surprised if they don’t need the financial help right now – he was a struggling musician like so many I know. The DONATE button was posted the other day and is here for you if you want to and can help.
I think it is impossible to sum up a life in 1000 page book, and foolish to even try in a blog post. I just want to say I am sad and shocked at the news of Tom’s death. Life is so very fragile and the important things in life have nothing to do with THINGS and everything to do with people.
Love on your loved ones – don’t miss the opportunity to SAY IT TOO! Life is hard right now in so many areas, but remember; only a few of them really matter. That bounced check fee last week or late house payment will soon be forgotten; but those that leave us are remembered for ever. Take every opportunity to be with people and let go of stuff. You can’t take any of your stuff with you when you die, but a life well lived and invested in others can take the people we love to heaven.
I pray Tommy made his peace with God and has already started reassembling the View band, hanging with Zup and preparing the welcome party for us. Love you Tommy – Will miss you greatly - greg
Any Memorial Service information will be posted as per requests by everyone I know.....
Categories: Personal
Tags: passed away dear friend rip died Tom Stein piano player keyboard player
Thanks Greg for a wonderful tribute. We all loved Tom and will miss him greatly.
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I am very saddened by this news. Tom was never afraid to be himself. He was by nature, someone who set high standards for himself as a musician and leader. He never demanded from me anything he didn't expect from himself. His energy was intense (to say the least) and presence was unique. I haven't seen Tom in many years but I remember him as if I'd just seen him yesterday. Today, I'm realizing how big a positive impact he had in my life. As a musician of course but also as a human being participating wholly and fully in life.
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It a Sad week, Maybe to help his Family, Just Maybe you could make a
Fun Raise For Tim’s Family at the next PRO JAM “Coto de casa”. July 11th.
Check around and see if people will go for it.. See ya & God bless..
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Rest in peace Tom. I'll always remember your "Hot Summer Nights" rendition. Good times at the View Lounge. We were all the "A" Team.
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Tom will always live in the hearts and in the memories of the VIEW Crew Family. He is an important member of our VIEW family. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and his daughter who he spoke of often with great love. Tom will forever be etched in my memory as SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL!
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After hearing of Tom's passing, I found a cassette tape we recorded on a Friday night at The View in November of 1987...23 years ago. It seems almost like yesterday. Tom was truly "one of a kind"...you always knew where you stood, and I loved the way he accompanied a vocalist. Our paths will cross again....just down the road. Hugs to the family.... Mary Hill
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On May 17th I received an odd e-mail from Tom Stein.
It was a picture of myself, back in the 80's before the weight gain and droopy eyes. There was no text, just the picture. Looking at it caused me to reflect back at what a great gig that really was. The View. Tom Stein had a golden work ethic. He ALWAYS paid on time and followed through with whatever he said. But more then that he had a heart of gold. I always knew that he cared about me
and respected me as a singer and musician
I had heard that he was having health problems, but I had no idea how bad it was. He must have known his time was limited, and that's why he sent that picture. I'm so sorry Claudia and Alona. I'm sorry for you, and myself, and all that were lucky enough to have known him.
I love you Tommy, and I will never forget you
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I never knew Tom but do know Claudia. My deepest prayers go out to the family.
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Tom Stein was an important person. Many reasons for that. He was gregarious so he could spark a conversation. He was generous so he could make someone feeling lonely to be not so lonely. He was gifted as an artist so we could all enjoy the escape that his art brought to the daily din of life's drone. He was warm-hearted so that we could all enjoy the special kind of love that a warm heart spreads.
I don't know any of the people who have posted here - It's been many years since I've had a thought about him but I went to high school with both Claudia and her late husband. As I remember Claudia was in Choir and Band and played flute or clarinet - she also spent a few years in the school plays as a cast member, she was very pretty too! Tom, likewise was in choir in the baritone section and also was in school plays. I distinctly remember Tom's voice as being part of the booming support from those baritones to such degree that his vocal could be heard distinctly above the rest.
Back in the heydays of the No Exit Cafe Tom was a regular and I remember a conversation where Tom said he was going to be a court reporter so he'd been taking typing lessons, or something like that, and a mutual friend asked why are you doing that? and Tom replied that he used to play piano so he was good with moving the fingers on his hand. The friend replied in a very common sense way, why do that, why don't you just play piano? And I remember the schoolboy look on his face when he realized, that of course, "what what was I thinking about?" And for the next few years before he left for California, Tom went into a one of the longest mad study, wood-shedding sessions I had seen produced by any player...and he studied everything jazz there was to consume! He left no stone unturned. By the time he was done he was a walking encyclopedia of Jazz and Jazz pianist recordings. But that was the night and the conversation that his life had changed forever. All of the rest who have commented here saw the results of that one lone conversation which took place underneath the old street lamp that stood outside the door on the corner of Lunt and Glenwood in East Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois of the old No Exit, somewhere in the vicinity of the summer of 73 or 74.
What I loved most about Tom was his heart and his unending enthusiasm. And now that I think of it - I miss him very much.
My thoughts are with his family as they mourn the occasion of his passing and all of his friends in California who came to be influenced by what I describe as my memories of this truly genuine man and steadfast friend.
I will always cherish the memories of those days of endless jazz and Tom's bodacious laugh, which could be heard above the clinking of dishes in the sink being washed, half a block away, during intermissions of a nightly performance of whatever.
The passing of someone such as Tom should remind the many sour faces - to ask, were your sour faces worth it?
I say to them - Nope!
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My heart goes out to Tom's family. He was an irreplaceable father and husband.
I've known Tom for about 35 years since I met him at the No Exit Café in Rogers Park in Chicago. He was just learning about jazz then and every new insight sounded like it was an epiphany to him. I fear that few of us experience such ecstasy as often as Tom did.
After he left for LA, we kept in touch and I saw the process repeat itself most recently as he dove headlong into the history of medieval England with much the same clarity and enthusiasm. I thoroughly enjoyed our phone conversations regarding Edward "Longshanks" and the Crusades of that era.
Although I probably only saw Tom a dozen times or so since his move, I talked to him almost weekly and I will miss those phone calls. He always ended the call by telling me to kiss my lovely wife and give her his regards.
In all our years together there was never a harsh word and always a welcome ear. He was a genuine friend to me and, I'm sure, to all of you.
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My deepest condolences to Claudia and Lona and all of Tom's California family of friends. I'm still quite numb and in shock over Tom's passing. Tom and I go way back to our scufflin' days in Chicago. Back then Rogers Park was a little Montmartre with artists, musicians, painters, writers, and photographers. Tom came to the No Exit cafe one night when I was playing guitar and singing and he was impressed that someone could play five sets of songs without reading any music. At that time he was (like early Bill Evans), a Mozart competition kid with wonderful facility, but unable to play without the sheet music. He asked me if I could teach him how to play without sheet music and that was the beginning of our long friendship. We wound up living together and sharing an incredible artistic musical journey in Life. For his first lesson, as he sat at the piano, I handed him a pair of wire rim glasses with lenses that I had painted black. He put them on and said, "I can't see the keys!" I told him, "Neither can Art Tatum, now let's play Body and Soul." His enthusiasm was infectious and he worked harder than anybody I know at learning his art and craft. Just last week we reminisced about all the great musicians we were fortunate enough to see back in Chicago. One night at the Ritz Carlton we got a chance to schmooze backstage with the great Teddy Wilson. Tom asked Teddy who he should study with to become a good jazz pianist and Mr. Wilson told Tom, "Play all the songs in 12 keys and you won't need a teacher." Well, after that, we would have days when we never got out of our pajamas because we were practicing from sunrise to sunrise. Over the years Tom never lost his joy and wonderment of learning and also his joy of sharing. My heart is terribly sad. I will miss his light and love and I cherish all the moments in time we spent together. He was a great friend and we are all blessed in knowing him. God Bless Tom Stein.
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