Sad Day for a DMB Fan
August 19, 2008 by Ryan Elledge
LeRoi Moore of the Dave Matthews Band
Laying in bed tonight watching the television, my phone rang at about 11:20 pm. It was Gabe. “Have you heard the news?” he asked. Well, I had not. This afternoon, LeRoi Moore, the saxophonist and a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band, passed away unexpectedly from complications stemming from an ATV accident he had back in June. Since the accident, LeRoi had been in and out of the hospital, but had recently returned to Los Angeles to begin rehabilitation. He hasn’t played with the band since his accident, but the severity was never really disclosed. I kept thinking that he would be back on stage with the band any time. I was definitely hoping for his return before the Gorge in a few weeks. Little did I know that June 6 and 7th, in Chicago and St. Louis respectively, would be the last time I would see the full DMB together… forever.
Much to my surprise, DMB is in midst of a concert tonight… at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, of all places. I certainly hope that Dave and crew were able to see LeRoi before his passing, being in the same city and all. I guess it is fitting that the band would jam tonight in celebration of a musical genius.
Time will tell if LeRoi will be replaced permanently in the band or if the saxophone will be silenced. Jeff Collins from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones has filled in for LeRoi for almost every concert since LeRoi’s accident, and I presume he will be with the band for the rest of the tour barring any other conflicting dates with the Flecktones. But what will the future hold?
My thoughts and prayers go out to the band, the fans, and LeRoi’s family and friends. I will never forget sitting in a bar in Moses Lake, Washington, with LeRoi and his girlfriend having drinks just a few tables away. That was back in 2002, but outside of a concert and sitting front row a few times, that is the only time I witnessed him off stage.
Rest in Peace, LeRoi. You were The Stone.
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