The Sid Griffin Podcast - A Tribute To Tom Stevens - Show 31

Our first podcast to focus on a single artist it was a quixotic, bittersweet program to produce but with the help of five…yes, five…Special Guest Stars it is clearly the jewel in the crown, the flagship of the several dozen podcasts we three have recorded over the past six years. At this point most listeners to this podcast will know Tom Stevens died in late January. Known to many as the bass player of the Long Ryders since Christmas 1983 Tom was of course a brilliant lead singer, songwriter, bass player, cellist, guitar player, arranger, harmony singer, as well as a wonderfully cool and calm, pretty much unflappable band member. He was also a deeply devoted family man, proud Indiana resident, and a lover of sports who enjoyed many long lasting friendships with folks around the world. He was in many fine bands during his lifetime and had a totally underrated solo career as well. Long term Long Ryders listeners will remember him as the Long Ryders’ archivist, the guy behind the recent box set reissues on Cherry Red Records so many of you have enjoyed. This show features five Long Ryders songs written and sung by Tom, five brilliant solo Tom Stevens songs from his post-Long Ryders career, a song sung in tribute to Tom and a Neil Young cover which Tom sang live onstage it really is something we at Sid Griffin Dot Com are proud to have been part of. If you did not know it already by the end of one hour’s listening you will certainly then know how multi-talented Tom Stevens was and how it was so easy to work alongside him and enjoy his warm company. And now there were three. No musician who worked with him will ever forget Thomas Howard Stevens. I suppose the situation of the Long Ryders is somewhat akin to that of the Stevens family. We will all carry on as best we can, knowing he is looking out for us from above, a protective and guiding hand to show us the true way forward. Farewell, old friend, enjoy your eternal rest, say hi to your folks for us, and remind the Angel Band you play cello as well.