Joe Paquin
Speaking of great players… Let me introduce you to Joe Paquin. I’ve known Joe for a long time. He used to be in a Northwest hippie/country band back in the early seventies, I think they were called Swift Current. I played their breaks back then, along with everybody else’s, but never really hung out with them. Fast forward to the mid eighties and Joe’s playing with a California band called the Sundogs. He’s writing songs, playing electric guitar and washboard. My old friend TJ Politzer was also in that band and that’s how I got to be there. They a blending of Cajun, R&B, Funk, and straight ahead Rock and Roll. They were good. Anyway, I liked Joe’s song writing and we hung out a few times, even drinking a little red wine once to see if we could collaborate. We collaborated on the bottle but not much else happened.
Then time went by and Joe got sick. Stage four colon cancer, not a good thing. But Joe was a Marine in Vietnam and he’s hard to kill. He doesn’t lie down and give up when you tell him to. Besides, one of our mutual friends works at Genentech, a genetic research company just south of SF. Now, we all know people who make the sign of the cross at the mere mention of genetic research – all they can see if Frankenstein and the end of the world. Global mutations, creeping humanoid sludge and all that sci fi stuff. The truth is that Helga, that’s the friend’s name, goes to work every day thinking that this might be the day when they make that breakthrough and find the cure for cancer or aids or Hep C. No cures yet but there have been improvements. And Joe has become almost a poster child for the new medications. His attitude never goes cold and his will to survive is solid. Every time I see him he’s got something new.
A year or so ago I added one of Joe’s songs to my repertoire, a tune called Pray For Peace. It’s a great song, about a Vietnam vet who drinks all the time and prays for piece while he’s at it. I could never write a song like that because I didn’t have that experience, but Joe did and he lets me sing it. Thanks.
There’s another one I’m going to learn called Little Winnebago. It’s the only song I’ve ever heard that takes a positive view of people who travel in motor homes. It’s easy to trash them, and to trash the whole culture for that matter – it’s like trashing trailer parks and working class lifestyles in general - but if you spent 40 years working for some company and finally got to retire with a little money put away, you might just want to see the country in style. And you might just have earned it too.
So here’s a little You Tube clip to give you some idea. Go check him out, see him do a gig. You won’t be disappointed.
Pray For Peace
Just A Kid
Then time went by and Joe got sick. Stage four colon cancer, not a good thing. But Joe was a Marine in Vietnam and he’s hard to kill. He doesn’t lie down and give up when you tell him to. Besides, one of our mutual friends works at Genentech, a genetic research company just south of SF. Now, we all know people who make the sign of the cross at the mere mention of genetic research – all they can see if Frankenstein and the end of the world. Global mutations, creeping humanoid sludge and all that sci fi stuff. The truth is that Helga, that’s the friend’s name, goes to work every day thinking that this might be the day when they make that breakthrough and find the cure for cancer or aids or Hep C. No cures yet but there have been improvements. And Joe has become almost a poster child for the new medications. His attitude never goes cold and his will to survive is solid. Every time I see him he’s got something new.
A year or so ago I added one of Joe’s songs to my repertoire, a tune called Pray For Peace. It’s a great song, about a Vietnam vet who drinks all the time and prays for piece while he’s at it. I could never write a song like that because I didn’t have that experience, but Joe did and he lets me sing it. Thanks.
There’s another one I’m going to learn called Little Winnebago. It’s the only song I’ve ever heard that takes a positive view of people who travel in motor homes. It’s easy to trash them, and to trash the whole culture for that matter – it’s like trashing trailer parks and working class lifestyles in general - but if you spent 40 years working for some company and finally got to retire with a little money put away, you might just want to see the country in style. And you might just have earned it too.
So here’s a little You Tube clip to give you some idea. Go check him out, see him do a gig. You won’t be disappointed.
Pray For Peace
Just A Kid
Labels: Joe Paquin, Song Writing, Vietnam
6 Comments:
This morning June 30, 2009 Joe Paquin lost his fight with cancer - but he put up a great battle and he can rest in peace now knowing that he gave it his all. My sister will miss you Joe and so will your niece, nephews and your sister-in-laws! God Bless You Joe - We love you - Rest in Peace
Dear Joe,
Thank you for your friendship.
Thank you for your music.
Thank you for serving our country.
Thank you for being a wonderful husband to my lifelong friend: Nancie.
May we all be as brave as you.
Bless you Joe, I know you are strumming that guitar on high.
Dear Joe,
Thank you for showing us how to live life to the fullest and how to die with grace. Your footprint is huge and I am blessed to have known you. Your legacy will live on through your wonderful music. God Bless you Joe.
RIP
Joe Paquin's tribute is published in today's Bellingham Herald and the Ventura County Star. If you would like to sign the online guest book, here is the information:
http://www.legacy.com/venturacountystar/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=129372608
joe, still think of you, guess i always will.
----missing you
Thanks Joe. I'll remember meeting you always. It was a pleasure. Thanks for your music and all you did. I just wish you hung around with us longer. You are greatly missed, Brother.
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