| To
Oliver, from Bob Lohr |
 |
| Oliver
and good friend Little Milton |
Oliver:
I know you're in a much better place and not
suffering anymore, and while I'm obviously sad that you've left
us, I'm glad for the end of the pain. Before you left, I wanted
to tell you what an incredible impact and influence you've had
on my life. However, I didn't want you to dwell on your serious
illness and act as if I'd never see you again...
You were the first major-league musician/producer to take an
interest in what I was doing as a player and encourage me when
I was just a teenage kid hanging out. You were always there
at Archway and on gigs, ready to listen to my stupid questions,
problems, etc. about music, studio production and the music
business, and I hope you understood that to me and the rest
of the musicians in St. Louis, you were held in the highest
esteem and regard. As a player and producer, you were The Man,
period, end of story. Worldwide, when St. Louis music was/is
mentioned, the next words that would come out of anyone's mouth
was "Oliver Sain"; you were the "St. Louis Sound"
for those in the know around the world.
Your playing was an example for every player to follow musically,
insofar as you poured your soul into every note and made every
note count. For my money, you were one of the greatest R&B
sax/songwriter/keyboard players and A&R/producers on the
planet, and it was a privilege to know you, play with you, and
to have been taught by you personally and by example.
I'll probably never get to be remotely close to half as good
as you were as a musician, but I'm going to take one final lesson
from you and do it like you did and play from my gut until I
can't play anymore.
Thanks for being here and touching my life. I'll never forget
you and how kind you were to me.
Your friend, fan and grateful student,
Bob Lohr
St. Louis, Missouri USA
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