Archive for the ‘Letters’ Category

A letter from Dave Fletcher

Thursday, July 26th, 2007

Back in 1968, some friends and I went to a concert at

Prince George’s Community College to see Criss-Cross. There, sitting on a riser out front of the biggest PA I’d ever seen at my young age was this guy mixing on a huge console (it had 16 channels!) atop a riser just off stage left. It was that day I met the estimable Earl of Faders, Doctor of Wires, Thomas A Linthicum, who was destined to become a life-long friend and mentor. I would travel the world with Bombase – as friends called him – and my life would be forever changed.

At first, I would find any reason to travel out to

Edsal Road

where the old shop was so I could sit and talk “shop” with the master. Soon enough, I began to see the logic in how he did things, as I too had an interest in electronics. Tommy taught me everything I know, aside from the basics I would learn later in my formal education, and I have made a living because of it. The work ethic he imparted to me is one I will carry all my days and pass on to the next generation as well.

But also, and most important, Tommy is my friend. In the darkest days of my life, Tommy was always there to impart some small bit of wisdom that helped me see whatever truth it was I needed at that time to get through a day. There were many such days.

One day, soon after Louie’s

Rock

City folded, Tom came to me and asked me if I would consider joining his crew and doing a tour with Rush. My dream had come true and Tom made it happen. Without regret, I remember those times as being the best and worst of my life. The best, as I was with people I truly liked and doing what I’d always wanted, and the worst, because the job seemed to be never-ending. In time I realized that I wanted to settle down and have a family. Shortly after the tour broke, I tendered my resignation and took a job as an electronics tech with a telecommunications firm. I married, had kids and did the good life, but I never lost the taste for “The Gig.”

Time after time I would take a vacation from work to do an Irish Folk Festival, an Inaugural or some other prestigious event just so I could spend some time with my old friend. The last gig that Tommy and I did together, he ran sound for the band I was playing in at my 30th Anniversary High School Reunion. I had the pleasure of telling the people I went to high school with, that the band I was playing in “Was privileged to have my mentor and best friend Mr. Tommy Linthicum running our Front of House console tonight.” The people there who knew me, all rose and applauded Tommy and in typical Dr. Wires fashion, he took it all in stride. It was just another day doing what he loved.

That time has passed now, and I will never have the opportunity to do another gig with Tom, but I will forever be indebted to him for all the years of learning, friendship and comradery. Life will go on, but somehow it will be diminished, weakened, and less meaningful as I look ahead to a future without him.

GOD speed Tommy and I will see you on the other side my friend.

Dave Fletcher

Posted in Letters | 6 Comments »