In Memory of Lonesome Dave Peverett
A TRIBUTE TO
LONESOME DAVE PEVERETT
by Roxane Crutcher
Monday afternoon, I received the news of Lonesome Dave from the webmaster of Foghat...it was all I could do to hold back my emotions..."Rox, Just in case you haven't heard...Dave has passed away... due to complications arising from his battle with cancer, Dave passed this morning at around 7:00 am (eastern) of double pneumonia. We are all saddened by the loss of one of the greatest Artists/People I've had the pleasure and honor to know, he will be missed.... If anyone would like, email can be sent to foghat@foghat.com or mail can be sent to the Foghat address 217 E. 86th St. #350 NYC, NY 10028."
After the initial shock and attempt to recover my composure, this was difficult at times. I decided to let other Foghat fans know the sad news, I placed Carl's message on the Foghat Forum...since Dave's son, Jason was the responsible for starting the forum and he enjoyed communicating with all the fans. There is so much compassion on this site, you can feel it through the messages posted there.
Tuesday night as I sat at my computer giving it a blank stare, trying to start this article that I was asked to write based on Lonesome Dave. It was real hard for me to even start; as I reflected and thought about my friends that were either a family member or close friend of Dave. I can remember hearing a friend on the other end of the phone yesterday right after I heard the news and I had called him (it took me a couple tries to dial the phone, my thoughts were on the great loss, not on the phone number). We went through this back in October when Lonesome Dave's wife fell into a coma due to complications from her fight with cancer. Dave has been nursing his wife back to health since that time. I felt in my heart that Dave was ill again; but, I did not know how badly. Dave was keeping things to himself, not telling his friends or family how ill he really was.
Finally, on Wednesday I decided the best way to do a tribute to Lonesome Dave, would be to let people tell other people of their memories of Dave. Now I would like you to read the different ways that Lonesome Dave touched people during his life. Dave was a just a normal person blessed with having a great talent. These messages have either been sent to me or posted for the family and fans to see.
Roger Earl - Foghat drummer
To my brother...
Dave was my brother by a different mother. We've known and played with each other for well over 30 years. We had some great and wonderful times together. Back in 1977 we both got to play with some of our childhood heroes - Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Paul Butterfield at the Palladium in NYC. That was a high point in both of our lives. During that time period, we also got to meet the late, great Willie Dixon and spent an evening at his home in Chicago. We sat up half the night listening to old blues records. Dave was singing and playing with Willie and his family and the smile never left his face. Dave never forgot how to be a fan!
On stage, Dave lit up like a downtown Christmas tree. Singing and strummin' his rock and roll melodies (thanks Chuck) - he was the very best! He never moaned - was always up and ready to rock and always had time for his fans - an autograph, a grin, a pick. He was always running out of picks! He was always true to himself. A real rock and roll spirit - gave nothing less than his very best.
On the last tour, when he was quite ill, it was still 110% whenever we played. Dave was the best. He inspired us. It was Dave's suggestion to have Bryan Bassett join the band. Bryan was brilliant and a breath of fresh air for all of us. Tony was his usual solid self. I can't remember a time when we all had that much fun playing together, both on and off stage!
Offstage, Dave was a gentle man, but had a wonderful, dry sense of humor. He made us all laugh. His undying passion for music was with him always. He was a veritable encyclopedia of Blues and Rock n' Roll.
He was my friend. I miss him. I'll always miss him.
Rog
Steve Smith from Canada
I just found out that one of the finest rock singers ever, Foghat leader, Lonesome Dave Peverett died yesterday at 56. This guy was just great!
Beginning as a teenager with the Savoy Brown Blues Band, and later with Foghat, he topped the charts, headlined stadium tours in the late 70s. He also played a killer rhythm guitar. He was such fun to see in concert.
I wish you had seen him in concert within the past few years. You'd have seen a guy who was so utterly devoted to his British version of the blues, and to the pure rock form that is at last disappearing.
You'd have seen a guy so filled with joy to still be making a living doing what he so obviously loves to do more than anything else in life, even if it was performing before only a couple hundred die-hards. Had you seen him lately, you'd have been swept away in Dave's still infectious enthusiasm, his passion and musicianship, and I think you would have had the time of your life.
I'm pretty badly bummed. I knew about his cancer, which he contracted in 1998. However, when Foghat went back out on the road again late last year, I really thought he'd beaten it. This is a sad day as we lost one of good ones.
Robert Buck
I am so saddened to read this. I first met Dave back in 75 when our paths crossed musically. It has been many years since I had talked to him but he was a decent and funny man and that is how I will remember him. My prayers are with his family.
Greg Simpson from Canada
And let us not forget his membership in the ONLY version of Savoy Brown that truly was brilliant, and gave Kim Simmonds an excuse to copyright the name he's used ever since. The Savoy Brown show I saw at Wonderland Gardens in London in 1970, with Chris Youlden, Lonesome Dave, Tone Stevens and Roger Earl, along with Simmonds, remains, in my memory, one of the best shows of all time. The three albums that lineup made paved the way for long careers for both Simmonds and the quartet known as Foghat. A tip of Chris Youlden's stovepipe to a fine career and thank you.
J.D. Wyker - Sailcat and Mighty Field of Vision
I'm very sorry to hear the sad news about Lonesome Dave. When Court Pickett and I were on the road with Sailcat in the summer of Î72 we were booked to play some big festival .....we never got on stage because most of the festival got rained out.....it was supposed to be bigger than Woodstock and when the rain let up they were to send a helicopter to pick us up....
Anyway we were staying' at the same hotel with Foghat and I remember Dave very well....he was the only member of Foghat that I do remember...he was very nice and he had a great attitude ! We hit it off right away ! I think we did some other shows with Foghat ....but those days were quite a haze.
Again I am saddened to hear of Lonesome Dave's passing and my prayers are that his Soul is with The Great Spirit now !
Anne Glass
I knew Dave first and foremost as a very nice man who happened to be the father of the baby whom I helped care for. He was always courteous, kind, funny, and very much blew away my notion of what a "rock star" must be like! Seeing him and his family helped me form my own vision of what kind of a family I would someday like to have. Twenty-some years later I do have that family and when Dave was playing in our area he would always try to let us know so we could get together and have a visit. It was sort of funny to know him as a soft-spoken family man and then see him take the stage and turn into a rockn'roll tornado!
So many wonderful memories....I don't grieve for his sake, because he is at peace and his struggles are over. But for his family with whom he was so close, for his wonderful wife Linda (who is on my top ten-list of people who most influenced my life), for all the fans who will be deprived of his talent and sheer joy in his music, and for his friends. I will miss his chuckle and the mischievous way he would quietly mumble something really funny and then laugh along with you as you "got it".
To his family, well, you know how I feel about you. you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.
I am relatively new to the online world and felt weird about doing this but after thinking it over all day I realized that I just wanted to contribute my bit to the tribute.
Mary Ann Borgon
I have so many wonderful memories of Dave, but one of my favorites is when he was with Savoy Brown, and they were playing in Detroit at the Eastown Theater. They had several encores, and the band was really jamming. Dave was playing guitar with his teeth, behind his head, it was totally and unbelievably fantastic! I believe this was the night Elvis was also playing Detroit, which was so ironic because Dave was an Elvis fan, but of course, an "early" Elvis fan.
He was a really nice person, always friendly, genuine, and easy to talk to. His love for Linda and his family was such a priority with him.
I'm going to miss him very much.
Riff West - Foghat/Molly Hatchet bassist
LONESOME Dave
....my music idol,
....my Orlando neighbor,
....but foremost, my longtime friend.
" I'll miss you. "
Eric Hillstrom
What a tragic loss.
As anyone who has seen him perform over the last several years can attest, "Lonesome" Dave Peverett's energy and enthusiasm on stage were remarkable. His joyful exuberance was a great pleasure to watch, he had tremendous talent and clearly loved entertaining.
As principal songwriter for Foghat, his lyrics were often written from the point of view of the "Lonesome Dave" character, whose often-comical troubles may have left him weary and heartbroken, but never in despair. To me, there was always a sense of optimism, that tomorrow was another day and things would get better down the road. Even while bemoaning his bad luck, he left you with a smile on your face. His work has left a lasting imprint on popular culture.
As husband, father, grandfather, and friend, his loved ones will miss a devoted family man.
Having been a fan for over twenty-five years, his music has brought enormous joy into my life, as well as countless others. The day in June 1996, when I had the opportunity to shake his hand, look into his eyes and tell him how much I enjoyed his music is a much-cherished memory. He responded with warmth and kindness, and seemed to enjoy the moment as much as I did.
Thanks Dave, your Rock and Roll sure helped me through.
Tom Bryant - Head East lead vocalist
God blesses Dave, his family, friends and all he touched. Dave was a major influence on me musically. I was lucky enough to have met and spoke with him on several occasions. A real gentleman. He is lonesome no more. There is no loneliness in heaven.
Dan Kelly - Head East drummer
Head East knew him well and I can personally attest to the fact that he was a kind person and a hell of a musician.
I grew up listening to Foghat, as well as stealing chops from them, and I am truly saddened. Please say a prayer with me, for Dave's family, the rest of the band and anyone else whom he might have touched in one way or another. Please take a moment to be silent and reflect on what Dave's music may have done for you all personally.
Keep flyin' Dave, Peace
Tom Cullen
Lots of memories associated with Foghat & Lonesome Dave. Been listening to them for about as long as Head East. I got the chance to meet Dave very briefly at the Head East/Foghat show in Navy Pier in Î97, my "re-introduction" to Head East after a long sabbatical. Foghat put on a terrific show, and Dave was an outstanding entertainer. I found him to be quite pleasant after the show, as well. To steal from the Rock & Roll album, ÎWhat a Shame' that Dave was taken so soon. My sympathies to his family, the members of Foghat, and everyone with special memories of Dave.
Tom Logiudice
I would like to say something, but I really don't have much other than to say that his songs and music have meant so much to my friends and me over the past 30 years. Between Foghat and Savoy Brown, their music (and especially Dave's participation in it) always was a vital part of what we were doing (many parties, concerts, etc).
I was fortunate enough to meet Dave briefly after a concert here on Long Island back in about 92 or 93, when it was "Lonesome Dave's Foghat". We saw them at a place in Port Jefferson called Ronnie V's. They were incredible. The band was Dave, Bryan Bassett, Riff West, and Eddie Zyne. They did a 2 and 1/2-hour show. After they finished, I took a walk out side, just to clear my head. They were incredible and also very very loud! All of a sudden, Lonesome Dave walks out. I couldn't believe it as I've been a big fan of his music for a long time and never thought I'd ever meet him. Anyway, I shook hands with him, we talked briefly about the show and the band. He was very down to earth, just a great, normal person. We talked about music, and he really appreciated the fact that we enjoyed the show so much.
Well, that's all I have. Anyway, his music always lives on and I'm glad we all have the great memories of him, Savoy, & the HAT!
Robert Bruce & the Wallingford crowd
Have been at the office all day humming Road Fever. Nobody knows why or what I was about.
I hope Roger, Tone & Rod remember some of their stays in Wallingford. They were fleeting due to recording and touring commitments but while Earl was here, he certainly turned heads! The Masarati in the garage turned mine.....!!!!
The locals were not used to geezers with long hair, sporting sunglasses, walrus moustaches and one of them "HIPPIE GITS" carrying fishing kit around the town!!!!! Could this be for real...? It seemed very surreal at the time but now it makes perfect sense. Why?
Not too long after arriving in South Africa (75-76), I was pissed off that Foghat were not receiving airtime on the then single national radio station (Radio 5). Being a longhaired git, fresh from England, and shadowed by the drug squad (this is true!), I got on the phone to the DJ's. I was a Brit after all and nothing would deter me! I bent their ears something fine. I wanted Africa to hear FOGHAT! Someone heard me live and it turned out to be a British guy who lived in a house not too far from my home. His name is Mike. He then worked for Cathay Pacific as A Chief Cabin Steward and he flew around the world with his fishing kit always at the ready and his wife in the "wings". Mike found me at a local club one night, introduced himself as a Foghat fan and invited me to go fishing. He taught me how to fish properly for "grunter", "tiger", "sea bass", and to surf-fish for "yellowtail" which is one fish that Earl has yet to catch (I hope....!).
Meanwhile back at the ranch, the long hot summer days of 73-75 were being spent at the George Hotel Wallingford.
Gary (Road Manger) was a score for the local women! Being a Canadian ex school gridiron player, he was the centre of attention all too quickly. We wimps thought he was too bloody flash and stood little chance of maintaining a long relationship with a local.........!!! Haaa haaa! We were wrong! The Bastard!
As for Dave? We call him "Choo-Choo Dave" due to the recurring Trains and leaving themes in THE lyrics.
No doubt this is due to being on the road for so long and is understandable. Us yokels thought he & Rod were aloof, snobbish buggers. Little did we know that their writing skills demanded this.
I regret that the UK public could not accept their music. Due to their fickle fads as well as the DJs not being harangued enough by Warner's representatives, the band never ever received the acclaim they are due.
We here in Wallingford (and South Africa), thought Foghat were the best thing since Southern Comfort.
There can be no double that Peverett and Price's music captures the raw and quintessential essence of life, love, blues as well as rock & roll and being on the road.
Dave lives on in my lounge. He sings to us today. How he got blessed with that singing voice remains a mystery. The Peverett voice takes lyrics to the edge of the envelope - A dangerous leap too close to Rock n' Roll's cutting edge. Well, now all I am left with are recordings from a time gone by. They are so good, so bloody good. These will do me for a very long time to come. God blesses you Dave. I hope the Road Fever never catches up with you again. Take care.
Tim "Trooper" Collins
I can honestly say that throughout my guitar playing life, I have had many changing styles and many changing tastes, but the one constant has always been LONESOME DAVE! His voice was second to absolute no one! I HEARD the chords he was playing I HEARD the soul he put into absolute everything he did! "Chevrolet" , "Stone Blue" ,"Slow Ride", "Fool for the City" I could totally list all of the songs.
As I'm sure we all have done, when I heard his passing I was to the point of not being able to do very much. Dave meant a lot to me musically and as a kind of a friend I never met, because through Foghat, its like we all met him, and everything I heard his music, as I can now listen again, its like he is right here, and truly, if you can get that feeling about ANYONE he is never truly gone!
I only know his music, sadly I never met the man, but through his music, I can honestly say, I MET HIM!
.............DAVE YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!!
Chris Johnson
I met Dave through his former manager Tony Outeda, who was managing my production career at the time. I was a fledgling young producer from Boston, Massachusetts at the time, and Dave came up to my parents house for a week to work on "Endless Game", "Final Touch" and one other song.
I had no idea what to expect from such a revered rock and roll legend, and what I found was one of the most caring, compassionate, humble men I'd ever met - In the music business, or anywhere for that matter. During my first week with him, he inspired confidence, camaraderie and friendship. He NEVER acted like he knew more than the next guy, and was completely willing to experiment and listen to direction - even from a "wanna-be" novice like I was at the time! Each day we would break for "tea time" at which time he would pull out his stash of teas and his "honey bear" from which he dispensed honey for his tea. A memorable moment was when he walking around the basement studio asking the musicians, "have you seen my bear"? with his thick English accent. He preferred staying a cheap roadside motel instead of the luxury joint, as that's the way the old blues players would have had it.
After the completion of the sessions, we kept in touch by phone every few months, and he asked me if I would mix sound during his performance in Boston of Foghat's 20th anniversary show. I still have a copy of that show on DAT, and it is full of the love and joy for the blues that Dave instilled in me over the years. Occasionally, Dave would compile blues tapes for me of his favorite artists, from his VAST collection of blues records. They would take forever to put together, as he would spend such time on the selection and order of the songs. He would then hand draw covers for the cassettes indicating the general "vibe" of the songs contained. He was a virtual encyclopedia of the blues, and was a great teacher and mentor to learn about the blues from. I still tell people about the "Murderers Home And Country Blues" that he sent me from an out of print scratchy old record he had in the collection - long before it was reissued by Rhino.
One time while on vacation Florida, I called him out of the blue and he invited me to drive 2 hours to come down and see him at the house. I finally got see for myself the home studio, the incredible record collection, the beautiful collection of Gibson Les Paul Juniors that he bought while on tour over the years, the vintage Wurlitzer Juke Box, the gold and platinum records, and most of all, the beautiful house that housed his most important possession in life - his family. He was a completely dedicated father and husband, and would always make mention of them in some way every time we spoke... Very inspiring to say the least now that I am a father and husband myself...
The last time I saw him perform was at the House Of Blues here in Los Angeles. With the original line up back intact, he tore through the set like he was a teenager proving something to the world - not bad for a man who sold-out Madison Square Garden the same week as Led Zeppelin in their heyday. His passion and commitment for giving his "all" to his art was obvious everytime I talked to him or saw him perform. Last year, after just barely recovering from his first bought with cancer, he did his first vocal performance in a very long time on a remake of song he made famous nearly 25 years ago. I sent him a copy of the music, and he sent me back a DAT tape of a solo vocal of "I Just Want To Make Love To You". He spoke of wanting to get back on the road as soon as possible, now that the illnesses were finally behind he and Linda.
Dave Peverett was class act in the business of music, and in life in general. He was honest, decent, polite and ALWAYS made time to do something for somebody else. I only hope that people will observe and learn from such a great man who inspired so many musicians around the world, and has inspired me as a man, a father and a husband....
Mark Krier - Brainerd, Minnesota (KLIZ-FM)
Just a quick memory of what a class act Lonesome Dave was..... Dave, Rod, and the band played for two of our summer concerts in Walker, Minnesota.... most recently for the "Road Cases" tour....when they both stopped by last minute to do an acoustic set in our studio. Both men had to play in a small, small HOT (air conditioning was broke!) studio rigged up with mikes last minute, with no complaints ! The next day I saw them backstage at the show and they treated me like family. I have worked with ALOT of classic rock acts in my day and I have to say that Dave was a class act ! no attitude, ego etc.....just a down to earth guy who could shoot the breeze on any subject and loved the music....and talk about a show ! The world was blessed with the talents of Dave.... We were all touched by his music..and He was taken from us much too soon.
Ron Sullivan
In this day and age of meaningless rap music we have lost a leader of great importance. Dave and all the members of Foghat have always done what they wanted. Their style of blues and rock mixture, which was widely overlooked by the music industry I hope in the near future, will start to be noticed. Dave Peverett and the other members of Foghat were different enough that they will always be remembered. Not just by their fans but by a new generation. Dave will be missed greatly by me, and oh so many people.
I will always remember October 13,1999, seeing the show and spending that 45 minutes talking with Dave, and seeing how happy he was that his cancer was in remission, and performing again. This was the 15th or so time in the last 20 plus years I had a chance to visit with Dave, Roger and Co. He will be greatly missed .
Lonewolf (CJB)
It was with great sadness early Tuesday morning that I learned of Dave's passing. This as I flipped through the channels of my television set and caught the tale end of MTVS Kurt Loder making the announcement. Not sure if I heard things right I turned on my stereo and paced the floors of my living room chain smoking. Tears welled in my eyes and a lump gathered in my throat when nearly two hours had passed when again Loders face donned my television screen making the grim announcement. One this time I heard in its entirety. It sent me to the shelves where I keep my extensive Foghat collection and tears poured from my eyes as I flipped through the jackets of the CDs looking at photos and autographs. It even brought me back to my first Foghat purchase, a Night Shift, 8-track tape ÷- something my younger brother, Howard, possesses today. It also reminded me of Dave joking one night about how he sold more 8 tracks than CDs. It was in 1976, at the age of 14 years old, when I first saw the band . It was simply amazing. I then over the course of next 24 years spent my days following the band and catching them at every opportunity. In 1994, I was in my glory when the original band reformed. And since that reunion I was fortunate to see them 8 times. And after every show I left feeling exhilarated. The band had something very special going on and without a doubt Dave was the best frontman I have seen for any group. The intensity, energy and emotion he gave off was evident in every word he sung and every guitar lick. Every show left a lasting impression and the band was that much better because of Dave's passion for the blues. Anyone who saw, met or heard him knew he loved what he did best. It was evident that this man had style, flair and the utmost respect for his fans. He was a genuine performer, but more so, a genuine person. He will be sorely missed and my prayers are with him and The Peverett family. My memories of him and his music will live forever more in my heart, and of course my ears.
Peace.
Bjorn Sundberg - Sweden
I have problem to deal with the fact that Lonesome Dave is gone. Since I got the message February 8th about his death I've been in some kind of shock. I knew that Dave and Foghat meant a lot for me, but this much, never. Now I understand people going to Graceland to show their respect. You know I cried that day I got the message about Dave's death; it was just too much. I have followed Foghat for over 25 years and their music has always been with and inside me. Do you know that I went to USA -81 and was supposed to meet them. I had good contact with two girls at the fan club back then and we were supposed to meet at Manhattan. I could only be in New York for three days and to make a long story short, we missed each other. That was one of my biggest disappointments in my life. Then a friend and me were going to see Foghat on their Summerdaze tour, but for some financial reasons I had to cancel. My friend went with his mother instead to visit some relatives. And he saw Foghat play with their original setup. But the music will live on and I'm grateful to that. Dave and Foghat have given me so much joy to me over the years and they will continue to do so. Anyway, it's really hard to express the feelings that I have inside me and now its time to stop. But I want to contribute to the tribute/fond memory story of Lonesome Dave in any way that I can. I hope that would be ok, its the only way for me to give anything back for all that I got from Dave and Foghat over all these years.
Mike Shannon
Jason not many sons can be this proud of their father. And not many fathers could mean so much to so many people. Your father saw millions of people on tour. But did he really know how much he meant to all his fans. I had the pleasure to meet your dad and although you are his son I too feel like I lost a family member. Dave was Foghat and he will be remembered by my generation as one of the most influentional singers and songwriters of the 70s.
David Lilly
I just found out last night about Dave's passing and I'm still stunned - knowing it's true & being able to believe it are 2 different things...it's hard to accept. Everything I've read and seen, as an audience member, has indicated that the music world & fans have lost one true gentleman & craftsman. that type of person is scarce in general, let alone in rock n roll. God blesses Dave's spirit and his family.
Bryan Lund - Burlington, Washington
I have seen Foghat several times in the 70's and then the last time at Yakima, WA on October 1,1999. Never before and I doubt anytime soon has a man and his band played blues-rock like Foghat. What a voice, what boogie-tunes that just plain picked up and moved! With Rod Price they were simply the finest rock band of the 70's and I think of all time. Never having met Dave but reading all of the emails I'm understanding Dave Peverett the person and as I'm writing this right now tears are welling up in my eyes. He was an honest, hardworking rock and roll legend. Simply the best and a FANTASTIC man, too. It's going to be difficult without him. I don't think he would want everyone to be sullen, though, either. Take care and let's celebrate the wonderful music the band made!!!!!!!!!!
Kim Simmonds - Savoy Brown
Hello,
"Lonesome" Dave Peverett, as most of you know, has passed away. The cancer that he battled with, finally won out and I've lost a good friend and soul brother. Dave, of course, was a vital part of Savoy Brown in the 1960's and early 70's before he went on to form and front the band Foghat.
I'm printing the speech, here, that I gave (more or less) at the funeral ceremony, so as to share my thoughts with you.
"I was hoping to speak to Dave this past Tuesday...now he's avoided me before but this is ridiculous! I was hoping to tell him how much it meant to me that he had rekindled our friendship over this past decade. He'd bring Linda to the gigs when I played here in Orlando and also Jason and he was very supportive. The fans would tell me the nice things he would say about me during Foghat shows and after all that we had been through it showed what a wonderful and good man he was.
Having Dave as a friend, again, was important to me because I felt connected to him, both through the music we created with Savoy Brown and through our mutual love of rock În' roll and blues. We weren't family or bosom buddies but when we would talk on the Îphone, a couple of times a year, that "soul brother" thing was always there.
Last year I sent him a newspaper article that I picked up in Dallas, Texas about Gene Vincent and I was happy that Dave had learnt something from the article that he previously didn't know. That made me feel good because Dave knew everything about rock and blues!
Michael Buffalo Smith - GRITZ/Swampland.com
I never got to meet Dave in person, but he sure helped change my life! I was at a concert in 1973 at Greenville Memorial Auditorium that featured The Edgar Winter Group and Foghat. It was a truly amazing concert, and Dave gave his performance 110 percent. These were my formative musical years, and Foghat rocked my world. Godspeed Dave.
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