Carter
01-06-2006, 08:58 PM
My friend Neil Worster died January 5 of a heart attack.
Neil was a "weekend warrior" in the finest tradition: a professional musician who got a "straight" job but never gave up playing music. He was a great B-3 player, and a great singer. Nobody, but nobody, could sing "Since I Fell For You" like Neil Worster.
Neil and I played together in the classic rock cover band Turbans Over Memphis for ten years. I stood right next to Neil's "B" in our stage lineup. I will miss his tapping me on the back when he was singing one of "his" tunes, to let me know that it was time for the sax to blow a chorus or two. I will also miss his chuckle when he would start "Mustang Sally", knowing how I loathed the song! I'll even miss loading out the "B"east and its acccompanying Leslie cabinet. What I would give to do that one more time.
The people we memorialize here are usually famous. Neil was a hell of a player, but he wasn't famous. He was simply one of the good guys who loved music and loved to play for people, anywhere, any time, any place. Just in the last year Neil and I and the band have played in clubs, in Vegas, at casinos, in backyards, at weddings, and even at an AA party. I don't know how we'll go on without him.
So, here's to Neil Worster, my friend and bandmate. May he rest in peace.
Neil was a "weekend warrior" in the finest tradition: a professional musician who got a "straight" job but never gave up playing music. He was a great B-3 player, and a great singer. Nobody, but nobody, could sing "Since I Fell For You" like Neil Worster.
Neil and I played together in the classic rock cover band Turbans Over Memphis for ten years. I stood right next to Neil's "B" in our stage lineup. I will miss his tapping me on the back when he was singing one of "his" tunes, to let me know that it was time for the sax to blow a chorus or two. I will also miss his chuckle when he would start "Mustang Sally", knowing how I loathed the song! I'll even miss loading out the "B"east and its acccompanying Leslie cabinet. What I would give to do that one more time.
The people we memorialize here are usually famous. Neil was a hell of a player, but he wasn't famous. He was simply one of the good guys who loved music and loved to play for people, anywhere, any time, any place. Just in the last year Neil and I and the band have played in clubs, in Vegas, at casinos, in backyards, at weddings, and even at an AA party. I don't know how we'll go on without him.
So, here's to Neil Worster, my friend and bandmate. May he rest in peace.