A tribute to RICK LAIRD 1941-2021

[@janemeryll1706]

Many, many thanks to you Andy for describing the wonderful man in my life for the last 7 years, almost 50 years after our friendship at Berklee in the 60s. So touching how you identify his absolute strength of being the glue to hold it all together. That, in fact, was his vision; to be the backbone on which the band - any band - could navigate whether playing straight ahead jazz or with MHO. It's heartwarming to hear how many really understood that role and that others like Jaco or Stanley wouldn't have done it in the same way. He would have appreciated your words. One correction: he was born in Dublin and transitioned to NZ and Aussie country around age 16. He is truly an Irish poet and multi gifted in visual art, music, composing (a song we collaborated on must now see the light of day). Yes he was humble and quiet in a powerful way as the many tributes he has received attest to.

[@bertwesler1181]

Rick was my bass teacher in the late 70s in his NYC town house. I will miss him. Rest well, rick Laird.

[@markwilliams9855]

Condolences Mr. Wesler he was one of my favorites. Caught their Birds Of Fire tour in Seattle at the Paramount.

[@guillaumechabason3165]

Very sad because discovering The Inner Mounting Flame at 15 as a young drummer was probably the biggest musical shock of my life

[@sloburnjo]

Billy Cobham baby ⚡👌✌

[@RobertVeasquez]

Thank YOU greatly for doing this. Rick had a great career in music. Regarding the reasons you present for McLaughlin choosing Rick….you’re right…Rick was someone McLaughlin knew could handle the music…but more importantly, help create the CRITICAL foundation for the musicians to rest on. He was like Atlas carrying the load, with Cobham of course.

[@alexmacinnes8321]

Saddened to read that Rick Laird has left us. The best gig I ever witnessed was when the original Mahavishnu Orchestra played Glasgow's Kelvin Hall in June '73. Rick was the lynchpin at the heart of the Mahavishnu Orchestra's astonishing performances.

[@jamesorr9987]

Taking it all in and thanking Rick for all the memories and the incredibly talent he possessed...

[@ganazby]

Aw man. I didn’t know. Rick was born in Dublin, and later moved to NZ/London. Thanks for this tribute, Andy. Oddly enough, there’s a great interview with Rick on ‘Buddha At The Gas Pump’ (it’s a spirituality channel). It’s from a few years back. There’s quite a bit of chat about his time in the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Well worth checking out. RIP Rick.

[@victorprince299]

What A SHOCK!! Very Sad to hear of his passing, very, very SAD! Rick Laird Thanks for ALL Your Great music!!! RIP!!

[@scottblanton5220]

He once commented on a post of mine in a music forum, a great honor. RIP Richard

[@pologallan7809]

I always felt that at the heart of Ricks Mahavishnu days, was a peaceful and calming Irish soul. You see this too, particularly in the pics on Inner Mounting Flame. Thank you Rick. Rest in peace 🍀❤️

[@johndunne7900]

I gave Rick a ride to the bus station , he had a gig with Jeramy Steig and his belly dancer wife way back around the mid 1970s Super nice guy.

[@sloburnjo]

YOU KNOW YOU KNOW. RiP Ric. That b&w vid of Syracuse U show is divine ! ✌. Cheers mate!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I had a bootleg of that gig way before youtube so to be able to see it was insane. I'd always pictured inside

[@EduardAntoniu]

I'm listening 2 Jan Hammer albums. Some of them also still include Rick Laird compositions. I remembered he was already '80 & also his daughter's message early this year on reddit. Ar dheis De go raibh anam.

[@TheGenreman]

I couldn't agree more Andy and I totally agree with you about his solo on One Word.

[@Shivabraxus108]

Me too... always been my favourite... grooves so hard!

[@antoinepaine8097]

Yeah man so insane 🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@mikebassy]

Was telling my mate last night about the great Ben Webster gig on the jazz 625 tv show, Rick laird on double bass.

[@jeffwambold1196]

so sad. I was 17 listened to the after midnight jazz station on my clock radio and heard Meeting of the spirits for the first time. I didn't know that music could sound like that. I hate being reminded of my mortality

[@xiaoguan1143]

great insight...thank you

[@antoinepaine8097]

RIP RICK LAIRD 😞😞😞

[@nebuladus7850]

This Fantastic💫💫💫💫💫

[@Shivabraxus108]

A beautiful and insightful tribute :-)

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thanks :)

[@stringrip]

Thank you for this tribute. But I believe Rick Laird was born in Ireland not New Zealand although he did later spend a little bit of time in New Zealand and Australia. I see you have the Mar Y Sol album on the shelf. Rick Laird played some driving bass on the Noonward Race track on that album. If only more of that performance could be found on tape ! Rick Laird's composition on the Jan Hammer Oh Yeah album - Evolove would be good track to play to remember Rick Laird. RIP.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Yes...I made a mistake there, I think he moved there when he was young with his dad. And yes, I think the Mar Y Sol recording is there best live recording in terms of quality and performance.

[@PerryPapanier]

Damn, sorry to hear this news.

[@greyshepard7591]

A terrific accounting of Mr Laird and his creative skills. Could I use a bit of this on my radio show?

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Of course you can Grey :)

[@greyshepard7591]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Thank you. It will be aired during the first half of my radio show: Between Rock And A Jazz Place on www.kwmr.org this Sunday August 1st 6-7 pm PST where I'll be spinning some Rick Laird.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

@@greyshepard7591 I will be listening and sharing

[@francescocravin1584]

Forse sottovalutato ma comunque un grande artista...

[@georgelamie7001]

Sad news. The guy was a rock. I was just listening to him a couple days ago too. On Horacee Arnold's Exonerated Flea album.

[@guillaumechabason3165]

Please George Could you suggest us other rare records with Rick Laird ?

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

love it!!

[@AllMediaReviewsPodcast]

he was amazing. This is really sad to learn.

[@RobMacKillop1]

So sad. He wrote the best jazz bass method book ever written.

[@daevideodaevideo6918]

To get the insight hinted at here best to see the 2 hour interview with Rick over at Buddha at the Gas Pump.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Great interview, post the link here

[@SwampEye1]

"Playing with out an Ego " is a terrefic description of Rick Laird's playing .... I was always wondering why Rick got the gig ... But as you said, the Orchestra of absolute solo Gods needed a conductor, s.o. who relinquished on soloing and rather Keep it all together ... and Rick did that .... Would be interesting to hear John on that ....

[@Szabina69]

My God, how short is life. John McLaughlin turns next year his 80 ....

[@sloburnjo]

Only at the end

[@jimmycampbell78]

As you get older perceptually time speeds up

[@bertwesler1181]

If there was no Mahavishnu Phil Collins never would have gone Polly-rhythm. So, says Phil.

[@tonymusic4773]

Rick Laird was Irish, born in Dublin. Please correct this.

[@bertwesler1181]

The only thing Stanley ever did that was any good was desert song.

[@bertwesler1181]

I don't even like Stanley or Jaco