Andreas B Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 With a heavy heart of my own, I'm sharing this sad news concerning the soul legend Clarence Reid aka Blowfly From Tom Bowker, Clarence's drummer & band leader: Dear Blowfly and Clarence Reid fans. It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Clarence has Terminal Liver cancer and multiple organ failure. He entered hospice care today. Thank you so much to everyone who saved his house in 2014 and kept his last days comfortable. As a reward for that good deed, Blowfly has gifted us a final album, entitled "77 Rusty Trombones" which comes out in February. It is easily his best album since the early 80s, and a fitting epitaph for one of the great performers of all time. It has been an honor to reintroduce Blowfly (and Clarence) to the world via recordings, movies and the stage over the last dozen years. The last three have been particularly enjoyable, as we had a wonderful band featuring Billy Morales on guitar and Shaun Dickerson on bass who in addition to being fantastic musicians, completely understood what we were doing, and why we were doing it. Thank you for supporting our efforts. If you would like to express your love and admiration to Blowfly, you may send cards/letters/photos/art to him via mail at: Florida Medical Center ATTN: Patient Clarence Reid Room 355. 5000 Oakland Park Boulevard, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33133. Clarence has always been a visual person and photos/art would be most appreciated. Clarence also was interested in having a full list of every sample that's been done on songs he wrote and performed. If you're up for taking a run at that, you may message me here on this page. Please know that Clarence is being made comfortable and that his sister Virginia has stood tall for him, and taken care of her brother as best as humanly possible. Please say a prayer for her and for Clarence Reid, the Maestro of the Miami Sound who loved being Blowfly - the King of the Freaks. Love, Tom Bowker Blowfly Music 3
Chalky Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 (edited) Just read elsewhere that he had now passed away. Sad news. Edited January 13, 2016 by chalky
Mike Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 have we got any links for confirmation of the passing on the official blowfly site and other sites hasn't anything further than the initial post? https://www.facebook.com/BlowflyOfficial/
Andreas B Posted January 13, 2016 Author Posted January 13, 2016 56 minutes ago, mike said: have we got any links for confirmation of the passing on the official blowfly site and other sites hasn't anything further than the initial post? https://www.facebook.com/BlowflyOfficial/ I haven't seen any official updates since Tom's initial post that he would be transferred into hospice care.
Chalky Posted January 13, 2016 Posted January 13, 2016 It would appear the comments regarding his death are a bit premature, sorry.
Chalky Posted January 17, 2016 Posted January 17, 2016 Clarence Reid passed away earlier today. R.I.P Blowfly
Kris Holmes Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 Very sad news, an incredible musician. One of the great songwriters of his generation.
Tlscapital Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) What an artist ! Singer, composer, arranger and producer... Love the guy's guts. RIP Edited January 18, 2016 by tlscapital
Westender Posted January 18, 2016 Posted January 18, 2016 Another huge talent passes. Sadly underrated artist who deserved far greater recognition. Nice piece from John Ridley's incomparable Sir Shambling site here https://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/R/clarence_reid/index.php
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