Layout 1 copy - East End Lights

"I am devastated and heartbroken at the death of Guy Babylon. Guy played over 1000 shows with me,
and we worked together on The Road To El Dorado, Aida, Billy Elliot, Lestat and Gnomeo and Juliet,
as well as on countless albums. He was one of the most brilliant musicians I ever knew, a true genius,
a gentle angel - and I loved him so much."
Elton John
Guy Babylon
December 20, 1956 – September 2, 2009
U.S.A./CANADA $10.00
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I S S U E S I X T Y- T W O
writings
www.eastendlights.com
East End Lights - Guy Babylon
It is with a very heavy heart that we publish this issue. I was having my birthday dinner when I received a call telling
me of the passing of Guy Babylon. I wept. Guy was the very first member of the Elton John band that I met and befriended.
I first met Guy at the Elton Expo in Atlanta in 1994. he and I met up again a few months later in Toronto, where
after the concert we spent some time talking in the hotel bar. we shared a common knowledge of music
and other mutual interests.
The following year, I was in the city of Montreal for the Made in England tour, when Bob Birch was injured,
being hit by a car and was in the hospital. It was Guy who returned my message, informed me of what had
happened and again, met me after the show.
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Guy was always accessible, always courteous and appreciative. A parade of emails, phone calls and
visits on the road over the years, helped foster our friendship.
One of my fondest memories of Guy was when I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Lupin Hills benfit concert
that the band performed at in April of last year. Watching Guy perform onstage with his son Ben and seeing
the proud look on his face as he watched his son take control of the keyboards was a very special moment.
Meeting his family and friends is something I will always treasure.
When I was told about Guy's passing, I was asked to prepare a reading for the funeral service, on behalf of the fans.
I've included it in this issue. Although invited, I was not able to attend the service in California to read it, however
I trust I've captured the sentiments of what all the fans would want to say about Guy.
This issue is a compilation of all the interviews Guy has given to East End Lights over the years. I trust it captures.
the special person that Guy was to us.
This is dedicated In Loving Memory to Guy Babylon, God Bless Him,
Kevin Bell
Publisher
East End Lights
Administration
Kevin Bell/ Publisher
Contributing Writers
East End Lights-Staff
Jan Kemp
Graphic Design
Leif Gonzales
Research
Contribution
Jan Kemp
Mark Crutchfield
Wayne Martin
Photos
Jan Kemp
East End Lights
Guy Babylon - Tribute -By: Kevin Bell
Thank you for the opportunity to represent the fans. I felt that a fitting tribute to Guy would be to
provide some input from the fans and reflect upon our experiences and fond memories of Guy
over the years.
Most of us only knew Guy from being onstage, but his ability to make us feel a part of the show,
a part of him, meant a lot to the fans. Whether it was a simple nod of acknowledgement to a
familiar face in the crowd, or the kind act of sending a note of appreciation when he received a
box of birthday cards, it somehow brought us closer to him.
Guy Babylon was an entire symphony
Not only musically, but as a person. Guy always took the time to talk to the fans. He welcomed us.
Always friendly, his soft-spoken gentle nature and warm smile revealed the genuine spirit of his
character.
Professionally, Guy was a musicians' musician. His incredible talent and contribution to music
history will live forever. His interpretation on the opening of Funeral For a Friend or his arrangement
on the song Understanding Women encompasses his ability to delicately weave his work into the music
without dominating it. We only have to listen to the album The One, to get a true appreciation for the
musical genius that was Guy Babylon
We will miss Guy's sense of humour. I remember he and I talking about a band called Mahavishnu
Orchestra, and he told me that he'd lost his vinyl copy of this album. A few weeks later, I saw the CD for
this album in a store and I sent it to him. He wrote me a quick note of thanks for the gesture, and
that he was enjoying listening to the album again. He then wrote; "Next time, I'll tell you I need a new
Mercedes".
To the Babylon family, our hearts go out to you.
However you need to know that we thank you. You shared Guy with us and we thank you for that.
His gentle spirit and kind heart are what we valued most about Guy and we thank you for sharing that
with us.
His musical talent, his sincerity, his modesty, his smile and warmth, his sense of humour and
dedication are all things we will remember about Guy,
But mostly, we'll remember Guy as someone who remembered us.
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JAN KEMP: GUYBABYLONFAN.NET - ATTENDS LOCAL MEMORIAL SERVICE
Like all of his sports trophies and medals, all of his music awards are
also kept by his mother, Mary, in New Windsor. Including the medallion he received as a nominee for the Grammy Award. Although she
said the actual Grammy is the one item that Guy kept in California!
Mary Babylon was wearing the Grammy Nominee medallion around her
neck that day, an obviously proud mother. Guy wasn't the type to brag
about his accomplishments and awards, but his parents and sister sure
were proud of him and were more than happy to talk about his achievements.
Guy Graham Babylon II was born and raised in the rolling country
hills of New Windsor in Carroll County, Maryland, and it was fitting that
friends and family gathered at the local fire house on a beautiful Sunday
afternoon in October to remember their local boy who made it big as the
long-time keyboard player for the Elton John Band, sharing memories,
tears and even some laughs.
The fire house in New Windsor is located next to the old grade school
Guy attended for eight years and many of his former classmates were
among more than 250 attending the memorial. For those who did not
grow up with Guy it was an opportunity to learn more about him. And
one thing I learned is that Guy was pretty much the same person as an
adult as he was when he was growing up.
What was more evident at the memorial was Guy as the family man.
A devoted husband, father, son and brother, Guy's family was always his
priority. Photos of Guy through the years, from an infant to as recent as
weeks before his death, were on display throughout the memorial.
There were a few of Guy on stage with Elton and the band, but most
were of Guy with his family - wife Kathy, and children Max, Ben and
Jessica. A simple stroll through a park, holding hands with his young
son, family photos on vacation, and family portraits were among many
of the photos on display.
Guy's first grade teacher, Mrs. Regina Roop, remembered him as a
special child who was willing to share with everyone, including sharing
his prized army men with his classmates.
Guy's video composition, Las Vegas Twister, was shown at the
memorial, exhibiting Guy's versatility as well as his talent. The video is
still available to view on Vimeo at http://www.vimeo.com/5391353.
The video was originally intended to show that he could learn to play the
autoharp musical instrument which he purchased while in Las Vegas
during the Red Piano run at Caesars Palace. He originally intended the
video to be a duet between the autoharp and a melodica keyboard instrument, but in his words, "it got out of hand," as he added a malletkat, a
clavinet, keyboards, drum heads, and even a cymbal. Guy recorded all
but the autoharp parts in his studio, and edited the video while traveling
on tour with Elton.
Guy's father, Graham, was a sportsman and instilled that love of
sports in both Guy and his sister, Donna. In addition to swimming and
track, Guy also played football and basketball. Guy was a sports fan as
well as a participant. In fact, he recently said that he still is and always
will be a Baltimore Orioles fan, although he lamented that there wasn't
much to be excited about in recent years. And he treasured his autograph from Brooks Robinson, former Gold Glove third baseman for the
Orioles.
Guy's high school track coach, John Seaman, who is now the principal at Francis Scott Key High School, said he is submitting Guy's name
for both the school's and the county's Sports Hall of Fame for his
achievements. On display at the memorial was a large case of medals
Guy won in swimming and track and field events. Although it turned
out they were just a small portion of the awards and trophies Guy won.
Another video we were treated to was a fabulous duo of Guy on the
autoharp and 11-year-old son Ben on keyboards playing Johnny B.
Goode.
Whether they knew him well, or only as a performer on stage with
Elton John, one thing that everyone comments on is Guy's smile. He
always had a smile for the audience, for a fan, for a friend, for his family. The first time I met Guy I tried to smile the entire time he spoke with
us, and by the time he left my jaw hurt. Yet smiling was second nature
to Guy,
Guy swam competitively as a youngster, but his school did not have
a pool and he traveled about 35 miles a day for swim team practice. One
of his former swim team mates was Tim Phillips, who was a few years
younger than Guy, who he looked up to as an older brother. Guy would
drive Tim and his sister to swim team practice and Tim said that it was
difficult to pry Guy away from his piano. He was usually pounding
away to Lady Madonna or some other rock song, and it would take great
prodding to get him to stop and get on the road. Once on the road, Guy
would be steering with one hand while pounding out music notes on the
dashboard with the other hand. Tim said Guy was an amazing athlete,
and held the national record for the 25 freestyle for 10-and-under back
in 1966. He was also a state champion high jumper in high school, a
record that stood for a long time after he graduated. "He turned me on
to music and I in turn have turned my son on to music," said Phillips.
"I'm very grateful for that!"
This same man who amazed me on stage playing the keyboards, who
won a Grammy for his orchestral contributions to the musical Aida, and
who performed his musical genius in front of tens of thousands of fans,
was an incredibly humble but sincere man, from his accomplishments in
sports as a child and through college to the height of his career with
Elton John. Guy appreciated the fan web site dedicated to him, but said
he felt embarrassed looking at it, "because it is about me!" Guy always
had a warm smile for everyone, whether an old friend or a fan simply
requesting an autograph. He was a rock star on stage, but off stage in
real life he was a good friend, a family man, and a nice guy to everyone
he met.
One of Guy's swimming coaches, Dick Krantz, spoke about how Guy
was an inspiration and had held records in the free style, butterfly and
individual medley while swimming at the Frederick YMCA.
One thing rang clear throughout the service. Guy led a very special
life, and he did more in his short 52 years than most of us would even
dream of doing. As sad as we all are about his death, we can take some
comfort in knowing he lived a very happy and full life.
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TO GUY FROM FRIENDS AND FANS
Guy Babylon's fellow musicians, friends and fans express their sadness
By the Editor/eltonjohn.com
"I am devastated and heartbroken at the death of Guy Babylon. Guy played over 1000 shows with me,
and we worked together on The Road To El Dorado, Aida, Billy Elliot, Lestat and Gnomeo and Juliet, as
well as on countless albums. He was one of the most brilliant musicians I ever knew, a true genius, a
gentle angel - and I loved him so much."
Elton John
"Guy was a quiet shy man with a sweet disposition who worked long hard hours to achieve what he did
best, make wonderfully creative music. He was a warm and gracious presence in any room he entered.
He will be missed and remembered with affection by all of us."
Bernie Taupin
"Anyone who knows Guy will tell you how shy and modest he was. I would always ask him how the Swim
Meet went - he would be competing with other great swimmers, some younger than him - his reply was
always the same and SO out of character that we would both crack up: "I smoked the opposition!" That is
how I'll remember Guy - He smoked the opposition. Goodbye my dear friend."
Davey Johnstone
"No one can really begin to understand the amount of time that Guy and I spent together. I think the first
meeting was in 1985, and since then, to now, we're talking some pretty serious hours logged together,
both making music and hanging out. I find it extremely hard writing these words without feeling selfish.
Selfish that I can't share Guy's life anymore. Yes, share his life. That's what people do when you are in a
situation like the one that we had. In the past 18 years, we've spent more time together than we have
with our own wives and children. And it was all great. Even the crap parts were great. I feel foolish telling
you what a fantastic musician, keyboard player, person, friend, husband, father, brother and son that
Guy was, because if you knew Guy, then you would know that. I thank God for the time that we spent
together, but I don't understand God for taking my friend away. I pray that his family finds the strength to
go on with their lives, and that others he touched can also find a way to move on without him here. One
of Guy's favorite sayings was, "There are no goodbyes on the road". I guess in this case, my dear friend,
we will have to make an exception."
Bob Birch
"It always amazed me how Guy could focus so deeply on his work and dedicate himself to a passion,
whether it be music or swimming or sports of almost any kind... One more mystery of a man who lived
his life on his terms - completely comfortable in his own skin, not worried about being judged or criticized
and always happy to be on the outside looking in. Just when I thought I knew him or his routine there
was always a surprise waiting around the corner. He always kept me guessing - and now unfortunately
he still does.
"I doubt I will ever meet anyone so dedicated to their art. To the point of staying up all night, forgetting to
eat, losing complete track of everything and everyone around him. Eyes closed... far away... floating...
half smiling in some harmonic sea of sound. I hope he's there right now."
John Mahon
"Dear Guy,
It is with deep personal sadness that I am writing these words to you. Thank you for your wonderful
friendship throughout these many years. I am, and always will be, inspired by you as a person, a friend
and an outstanding musician. Your patience and perfection in creating your own style of music,
especially in the studio when you would be first in and last out, and still working when you got back
home, was remarkable. I never heard you complain about anything, as your focus was on the project at
hand. I will remember each time that we went onstage and I would say to you "we are going to give 110
% tonight" and your reply, as always, was "but Nigel, there's only 100 %, there can't be 110 %". To me
you always gave 110%. I promise you that you will never be forgotten and that Schanda, myself and our
family will always give love and support to Kathy, Jessica, Max and Ben. God speed dear friend."
Nigel Olsson
"I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Guy for the past 21 years. Not only was he an amazingly
talented and dynamic keyboard player, he was a real musician's musician. His attention to detail and the
daily tweaks he did to his huge library of keyboard sounds made him stand out from the rest. His
contribution was second to none in everything he was involved in, from playing on live shows and
recording sessions to orchestral arranging and record production.
"Guy was also my friend....he was our friend. He was a quiet, gentle man, but he was also very
approachable and always had a smile and kind words for everyone. There was nothing that was too
much trouble for him and he would never think twice about coming up to my hotel room at 2 or 3 o'clock
in the morning to fix yet another computer problem that I was dealing with. Maybe now it's time I switched
to a Mac!
"Guy, Bob and I had a special friendship and had countless laughs and great times together.....we'll both
miss that very much but the memories will live on. We will all miss you very much Guy, you were such an
integral part of our road family and things just won't be the same without you. I'd like to send my love and
support to Kathy, Jessica, Max and Ben. Be strong, be proud....Guy was a wonderful husband and father
who thought the world of you.
Rest in peace my brother. With love and respect".
Clive Franks
Messages Sent to East End Lights: [email protected]
Dear Family of Guy Babylon,
I´m an Elton John fan since 1980 and saw many concerts. The last one
was "Red piano show" at the Cologne Arena with my parents to begin of this
year. I love the keyboard playing of Guy Babylon- this wonderful opener to
Benny and the Jets in this show. Or the Intro of Funeral for a Friend. But
most I like a lot of ballads with fantastic string arrangements.
I never talked to Guy- there was no chance in my life to do that- but I
will never forget the musician Guy Babylon. I spend a lot of time to listening to songs he played
the keyboards and it makes me smile.
God bless you and your children.
Love
Frank Mathieu
Cologne, Germany
I was currently on vacation when I heard the news. Very sad... I'm teary eyed as I'm typing this. The last
show I saw was in Washington DC in mid July 2009. I will always treasure those memories on Guy's behalf.
Also, I'm buying one of the sound-board shows on CD during June 2009 in England, just to keep some
of Guy's recent music with me on CD. I'll always cry and smile when I listen to that show.
Thank you Guy for all that fantastic music!
To Guys' family and friends, I'm very sorry for your loss.
Respectfully,
David Lewis ~ Bristol, Connecticut USA
We all, members of “Bad Side Of The Moon”, the Italian site dedicated to Sir Elton John,
feel so close to Kathy, Max, Ben and Jessica, Guy's parents, and the entire Elton John
organization for the loss of a great man, musician and friend.
We would like to thank for the great gift of his talent. We could never forget all the concerts during
which we had dreamed thanks to his wonderful intros and orchestrations, we could never forget
his smile during the concerts and for those who met him, his amability and disponibility in
speaking with everyone.
He has been part of all our lives, he is part of the soundtrack of your lives and we are feeling
alone, without a great friend.
In this moments of great sadness, we would like to send our prayer and sympathy to all who are
feeling the same emptiness.
There are no words for explaining our thoughts, feelings and the impossibility of realizing what
happened, but we are sure that his keyboard will never stop playing his music. It will always play
in our hearts.
The Italian fans of the “Bad Side Of The Moon” website
Giuseppe Bonaventura
Dear Babylon family,
I'm very, very, very sad for the death of the fantastic Guy Babylon. I think he was a great
musician and man. For all the fans of the world this is a terrible day. For the family this is an
incredible tragedy: I'm near the family and parents wife and sons.
I hope Elton will do a great tribute to him and a song for g
Guy in concert. The life sometimes is difficult: it’s difficult to accept that a man died only at 52. I
know him only for the concert: I've never met him but for me he was a friend because I have
many videos of him that playing live with Elton.
I'm near the family
His talent will live in all the EJ performances,
Ciao dear Guy, Ciao from Venice
Ciao Andrea
Andrea Sganzerla
Via cavour 20
30038 Spinea (ve) Italy
It’s been a difficult year with the passing of some wonderful talent and some wonderful people.
Guy Babylon was both in my opinion: wonderful talent and wonderful person.
I wrote this note (see below) on my Facebook page as a way for me to get the word out to
others in addition to my input in reference to Guy’s passing. I never met him and I only knew him
as the man who gave us the wonderful additions to Elton’s piano – may it be strings, organ, synth
arpeggios - because he did it all.
I think I wrote all I could say in my note by being observant and expressive in my feelings about
his life and contributions.
Please pass this on to the family and to whomever else you deem necessary to share it with.
Trevor
Guy Babylon – The man who gave over a third of his life to Elton John’s career
Guy Babylon passed away on September 2, 2009. It has left many fans (including me) in shock,
confused, and sadden that such a talent is suddenly gone at such an early age. He had done
over 1,000 concerts with Elton John since he first joined the band in 1988. Through thick and thin,
Guy was always there for the past 21 years supplying the additional energy to compliment Elton’s
piano. With Guy Babylon gone, it will simply never be the same again.
For those of you out there who don’t know the Elton John band, Guy Babylon played for Elton
John for 21 years through various personnel changes. He was the second longest performing
member of Elton’s band (behind Davey Johnstone). Through the many personnel changes, Guy
continued to stay on and contribute more every time Elton John recorded in the studio. He went
on to conducting orchestral arrangements on Elton’s albums. When you listen to Guy Babylon on
stage, you hear him conduct through his keyboards on some of Elton’s songs that used a real
string section. There was no musician before who achieved a near perfect emulation of an
orchestra with Elton’s band. I have never heard anything that compares close to Guy Babylon’s
abilities. The concerts that are available to listen on the Wolfgang’s Vault website from 1988 is
proof of what he brought when he started with Elton John’s band.
Without question, Elton John’s Sleeping with the Past (which Guy contributed on) will always be
one of my favorite albums. I love that album a lot and it ranks up my list all the time. The One
(Elton’s first album since leaving rehab) also contains some very strong moments that Guy
Babylon contributed. Give it a listen: The One and The Last Song are classic examples of what
Guy Babylon brought to Elton’s music. Elton did not hire Guy Babylon by accident. It’s evident
that Elton knew he had something special that brought a certain passion of his music to life.
52 years on this earth is not a very long time. Unlike some who have came and left us, Guy’s
spirit is alive and well in the CDs and DVDs that he played on. I could go on day and night to
discuss Guy Babylon, but nothing can be said or done that will ever bring him back physically. I
already miss him. Guy’s contribution to Elton’s music has and will always be forever in our hearts
and souls. He will never be forgotten. RIP Guy Babylon.
I am the host of Lunch Around The World Boston for EJAF, my deepest condolences to you on
the loss of Guy. I had the honor of meeting Guy and I got to shake his hand, after that he
remembered me always and always smiled and waved as he saw me up front at shows again
and again. His smile lit up the place and warmed my heart. His kindness and talent will always be
remembered.
Love,Debbie Piemonte and family Mike and the boys Jeremy and Justin
Thanks for sharing with the world a precious part of yourself... renouncing to many moments due
to touring schedule and recording sessions. That reason, is the one that now, in the saddest
moment, is bringing millions of people together to send you the warmest hug.
I can see a little cloud with his keyboard set, arranging angels strings together with Freddie, John,
Ray, Michael and so many more as great as HE IS.
all my love
Giorgio Onorato Aquilani
Italy
VIDEO TRIBUTE TO GUY BABYLON: http://www.youtube.com/watchv=RoNduregardsVOd6zw
Here is Switzerland, the hard EJ-Fan members are very sad about the sudden death of |Guy. We remember his fantastic keyboard playing. The last time
we saw him was in Germany and we have those wonderful live Cd's. On March 3/95 I had the luck to meet him and Bob Birch in a restaurant in Zurich
before the concert began, my wife and I took a picture with him and me. For years it hangs in my living room, with a picture of Bob and me.
Bruno Kohli-Wild-Mitglied International Elton John Fanclub, Hercules and his Swiss Fanclub Hauptstrasse 45 CH 8832 Wollerau
I would like to convey my deepest and sincere sympathy to Guy's family. I am from Brazil, and I saw Guy in Elton's show in January, 2009. I am thinking of
you at this difficult time. I wish Guy rest in peace.
Maraci Marta Rodriques Emilio de Oliveira-Botucatu, San Paulo, Brazil
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I can't believe it. I am very sad. Guy, thanks for all the happiness you gave us in your whole career. Much love from Spain-Alberto Seaonne
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I would like to offer my prayers and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Guy. I have seen him perform manay times and listen to him on a daily
basis. I am extremely saddened by his untimely death. He will be tremendously missed. the world has lost an extremely talented musician and a wonderful
man. Thank God his music will live on. Nancy Jenkins, Long Branch NJ
I am a fan of Guy Babylon and the Elton John Band. It's hard to believe that Guy has gone. The band will never sound the same
without Guy. We will miss him and his music forever.
Jason from Hong Kong
My sincerest condolences to Kathy, Max, Ben and Jessica, as well as to his parents and sister. A big fan of music, I have long been an
admirer of this man's talents. An attendee of all the East End Lights EJ expos, i had the opportunity to say hi to him on a few occasions. Most recently being the Vegas expo of 2006, and my chance crossing of his path in Chicago's O'Hare airport after the bands
recent appearance with Billy Joel and EJ's Face to Face show. As an airline employee, I just happened to notice them sitting at a
nearby gate and had the opportunity to say a quick hello to him and the other band members. As a flight attendant for a major airline
I always hoped I would one day cross the band's path, and when I finally did i didn't know what to say, and I didn't want to intrude
on their privacy. I would love to write on and on as to why I think Guy made great contributions to Eltons music, but I'll try not to
write more than I should. I'll always remember in 1992, Baton Rouge, my seats were not that great, far left side of the stage, would
have been great seats for a Guy Babylon concert, but it was an EJ show. Anyway He began Playing the opening Chords to Saturday
Nights Alright for Fighting, and I amusingly pumped my fist in a silly way that I had seen EJ do onstage in the early 80's. I Looked
silly as was my intent. Guy looked over at me as if to suggest he appreciated that someone in the crowd was doing something to
entertain him. He probably thought I was a geek, but nevertheless, he looked at me with a smile of amusement. It means something
to a fan when they can get the attention of someone they admire. Guy gave me a moment from the stage that I'll always remember.
Even though I cannot say I knew him, please know that there are a few of us out here, who are grieving with you, even though he
didn't know us. I Lifted you all up in Prayer Earlier today, and will continue to do so. May the Lord Be with you during this difficult
time, and may you feel His presence. Please know that you are not alone, God is with you, and that many admirers like me are thinking of you and Praying for you during this most difficult time Would love to say more but I'll end it here. You are in my thoughts and
prayers,
Sincerely,
Bruce Dill
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