Richard Lainhart (February 14, 1953 - December 30, 2011)

I’ve been weary of the day a member of ImprovFriday would pass away. In terms of his involvement with ImprovFriday: I could ask Richard to play live for IF and he would literally get back to me within hours and set it up. As most of you know, he also was generous enough to lend a tune for ImprovFriday Vol. 2 and participated in numerous events. We are really going to miss Richard. Next week’s theme will be “Richard Lainhart Dedications”

Richard was by far one of the true contemporary electronic music genius's and his knowledge of its roots put him way ahead of most of us. Richard's contribution to contemporary electronic music was immense and his knowledge of its historical applications was legendary. - Steve Moshier

Richard changed the way I listen to music - and there is no greater compliment that one musician can pay to another. He will be missed very, very much. - Paul Muller

Richard Lainhart - May 8, 2010 Richard Lainhart ImprovFriday 5-7-10 by rlainhart

Richard Lainhart - March 26, 2010

High Quality Stereo via SoundCloud
Richard Lainhart ImprovFriday Live 3-26-10 by rlainhart

Tags: lainhart, richard

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Permalink Reply by Steve Moshier on December 31, 2011 at 4:26pm

Richard's 'Buchla Moog' Demo

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Permalink Reply by J.C. Combs on December 31, 2011 at 4:30pm

I saw Richard in person at BEAF in 2011. I had to run off early to catch up with someone and didn't have time to meet him in person. If I knew that would be my only opportunity, I would have stayed and chatted it up all night.

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Permalink Reply by iriXx on January 1, 2012 at 1:23am

Very saddened to hear of Richard's passing, he and his wonderful music will be very much missed by us all.

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Permalink Reply by J.C. Combs on January 1, 2012 at 1:28am

You know what's sad is not only was he a great guy, no doubt, but he was one of us. Not in the sense of an IF member, but one of us. A composer/improviser/performer who flew under the radar of the world.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Goodin on January 1, 2012 at 2:25am

Good memorial blog J.C and thank you for posting. Whether to the believer or to the non, death never makes sense. It's the most bizarre thing I think for a human being to see someone living before you just as you just as I, moving, thinking, creating, all the things we call the human experience and then for that person to be no more, it's all just alienating beyond understanding. I recall fondly and proudly of the IF live webcast Richard and I produced from the Brooklyn venue Goodbye Blue Monday about a year ago. It was my first meeting of Richard in person. He provided all the technical and I was 'talent'. It was a successful evening that on conclusion you knew something cool had taken place. I saw him a couple more times in performance over the last year. And no it is just so unreal that his earthly existence is no more. I am a believer in some possibility of an afterlife and therefore pray that Richard's soul is at peace in whatever existence we go to. If one may be doing one's art in that existence then I know he is working on something beautiful and extraordinary. For the human side of things as Steve put it, the wish that his wife and family can have the strength to get through this. As said it's the hardest thing and yes J.C. as you put it for this world it's very sad that his artistic being flew under the radar of most of the world but yet we were the lucky ones to know him.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Moshier on January 1, 2012 at 2:58am

Beautiful!

Jim Goodin said:

Good memorial blog J.C and thank you for posting. Whether to the believer or to the non, death never makes sense. It's the most bizarre thing I think for a human being to see someone living before you just as you just as I, moving, thinking, creating, all the things we call the human experience and then for that person to be no more, it's all just alienating beyond understanding. I recall fondly and proudly of the IF live webcast Richard and I produced from the Brooklyn venue Goodbye Blue Monday about a year ago. It was my first meeting of Richard in person. He provided all the technical and I was 'talent'. It was a successful evening that on conclusion you knew something cool had taken place. I saw him a couple more times in performance over the last year. And no it is just so unreal that his earthly existence is no more. I am a believer in some possibility of an afterlife and therefore pray that Richard's soul is at peace in whatever existence we go to. If one may be doing one's art in that existence then I know he is working on something beautiful and extraordinary. For the human side of things as Steve put it, the wish that his wife and family can have the strength to get through this. As said it's the hardest thing and yes J.C. as you put it for this world it's very sad that his artistic being flew under the radar of most of the world but yet we were the lucky ones to know him.

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Permalink Reply by Caroline Meyers on January 1, 2012 at 11:25am

Thank you for these beautiful memorials. It eases a very heavy burden, truly. We are planning a memorial and my hope is that it will be online as well. When we have a date and url I will let you know and hope you will pass the word. Jim I will always be grateful for your generosity welcoming us to city skies.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Goodin on January 1, 2012 at 11:52am

Caroline my and all of IF hearts go out to you. To say more only stumbles over myself and bears the hurt. As IF founder J.C. Combs said in the post description Richard was valued at ImprovFriday and his excitement, generosity and availability for this collective were always there. Tears and healing for you and all those connected with your's and Richard's extended families.

Caroline Meyers said:

Thank you for these beautiful memorials. It eases a very heavy burden, truly. We are planning a memorial and my hope is that it will be online as well. When we have a date and url I will let you know and hope you will pass the word. Jim I will always be grateful for your generosity welcoming us to electro-music.

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Permalink Reply by J.C. Combs on January 1, 2012 at 12:43pm

Thanks Caroline. Our deepest condolences. If the memorial goes online we'd be happy to post it for our community here. Take care.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Waller on January 4, 2012 at 12:14am

Richard asked me to do a remix of any song of his album, Cranes Fly West, as part of the Cranes Fly West Remixes edition for Exo Vo as a followup to this album http://exovo.bandcamp.com/album/cranes-fly-west-digital-schiphorst-...

I sent it to him, and it was well received. I want to share this, as my dedication track to him.

Rest In Peace Richard

Right Above it - (Remix of "A Bell Above the Clouds" of Richard Lainhart by Michael Waller NMC) http://soundcloud.com/michaelvincentwaller Michael Vincent Waller