|
Disco Music > Disco People Index > In Memory Of > Bert Reid
Bert Reid
19?? - Dec 12, 2004
Received this from John Parker of the Dance Music Hall of Fame who in turn received it from Brian Chin:
I just received this from Brian Chin:
December 15, 2004
To everyone I know, and please pass along these details:
I'm very sad to let my friends in music know that Bert Reid passed away Sunday, December 12 of lung cancer.
Bert was, of course, a key figure to our musical history since the very beginning of disco, when he was blowing us down with his sax in the horn section of Crown Heights Affair. Pull out your copy of "Dreamin' a Dream" and play both versions and you'll see there's more music in those two cuts than in the entirety of today's top 50. And I mean the pop top 50.
He became even more central to the evolution of music in the post-disco period, by the fusion of dance electronics with hardcore R&B elements, in progressive, atmospheric and wonderfully tuneful records like "I'll Do Anything for You" by Denroy Morgan, "Do It to the Music" by Raw Silk, and "I Hear Music in the Streets" and "Searching to Find the One" by Unlimited Touch, to name just a couple. His example of combining strong songwriting mechanics with the eclectic, enthusiastic fusion of the old and the new remains obvious in the later records of everyone from Madonna, Full Force, Teddy Riley and Robert Clivilles/David Cole all the way up to the crunkmasters of today who are using the same early-80s keyboard sounds.
Bert's viewing (5PM to 7PM) and funeral (7 PM) are tomorrow (Thursday December 16) at the Christian Cultural Center, 12020 Flatlands Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11207, phone: (718) 306-1000. Directions at this link: http://www.cccinfo.org/ccc_info.asp?ID=38.
In remembrance, with love, respect and gratitude,
Brian Chin
Thanks to DiscoMusic.com member, Discodisk for the scan/photo of Bert Reid.
Please feel free to link to this page by using this URL:
http://www.discomusic.com/people-more/3552_0_11_0_C/
COMMENTS ON Bert Reid
I can only underscore the comments and sentiments here. One of the unsung giants in music. He is one of the artist who made the music, music.
His music will carry on with hip-hopper sampling his music but nothing beats the real thing.
His music will carry on with hip-hoppers sampling his music but nothing beats the real thing.
Lets not wait till it's too late again, Bert I love you RIP. Lets follow him with a mention of Skyy,Brass Construction,Hamilton Bohannon and all of those who had important work following in that period. Let us not forget that there were some very important people in that era doing some Real Music Peace
I'm so glad that I took a photo of Bert Reid and Johnny "The Duke" Allen's B'Day bash back in 2002. From Crown Heights Affair to other projects, Bert Reid would do anything for you!
R.I.P.
In 1978 I was the head of the Brooklyn College Concert Commitee...and I hired Crown Heights Affair to play for 2 hours from 12 to 2 PM outside in the Quad at BC. I was DJing before and after the band, everyone was dancing outside...great memories..DJ Jeff Yahney
To Whom This May Concern (anyone who loves real music)
I had the pleasure of 1)know Bert, 2) sharing an apartment for quite a while with Bert, 3)and more importantly working with Bert for over 15 years on many musical projects as a member of Crown Heights Affair, and on other musical projects. Its true that Bert was a caring, thoughtful, very meticulous artist, whom I learned a lot from, on and off the stage and recording studio. He was (and still is in my spirit), like a brother to me. We went through a lot together (good and bad), but, he was one of the few people that I could bare my soul and share my stories of life with.......I have, and will continue to miss him, but, more importantly, I will think of him whenever I play or sing a song by Crown Heights Affair, or anyone else for that matter, because that's how much I have had in common musically with my long time friend ...Bert Reid.
God Bless
The Crown Heights Affair was one the first DISCO bands, Bert Reid was a founding member and their leader. They made beautiful music together. FOXY LADY was one of those FIRST DISCO songs of the early seventies. DREAMIN A DREAM was one of the first DISCO CLASSICS, their 12" version was ahead of their time, with edit re-mixes on both sides. I remember hiring them at both the COPACABANA and The Soap Factory, and they rocked the house. I also brought them to many DANCE HALL PARTIES that I threw all-over Hudson County. They were among many bands that would perform, but only The Trammps and JE TAIME would give them competition for the best of the shows. Bert opened the door nice and wide, to allow others into their world. Their world was DISCO, full of strong Bass and guitar rhythms. It was a sound that many imitated, but no-one could reproduce. It is a shame that Bert is gone, God Bless, we loved you.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE FORM BELOW
Exclusive Must Read Interviews
- Sharon Brown
- DJ John Ceglia of New York, New York and The Underground
- Tina Charles
- Vincent DeGiorgio of Power Records
- Carol Douglas
- Gloria Gaynor
- Loleatta Holloway
- Thelma Houston
- Frankie Knuckles
- Barry Lederer of Graebar Sound and writer of the Disco Mix column for Billboard
- DJ Robbie Leslie of The Saint
- Kelly Marie
- David Mancuso of The Loft
- Tom Moulton - Disco Remixer
- Meco Monardo
- Vincent Montana of the Salsoul Orchestra
- New York Remixer, John Morales (An M & M Mix)
- Melba Moore
- Laurin Rinder of El Coco
- Henry Stone of TK Records
- DJ Ray "Pinky" Velazquez of Vanguard Records
- DJ Bobby Viteritti of Trocadero Transfer
- Jody Watley
- Carol Williams
• Disco • Disco Vinyl Records • CDs / Downloads • People • Disco Charts • 101 • Books • Discotheques • Message Board