This week was bittersweet on many levels, but it has been a blessing too! I was able to honor two good friends… one living and one gone. My dear friend Walt passed unexpectedly last week, but I’ll get to that fine gentleman in a moment. On Sunday evening Vanessa and Izze and I joined the Hurlbut family and friends to celebrate the 95th birthday of their Dad… Ray.
Ray Hurlbut 95, Jorma Kaukonen 75
Ray is my buddy John’s Dad. One of the oldest living WWII Vets in the state of Ohio, Ray served in the Navy as a radio operator on a bomber in the Pacific and other venues. The Hurlbut family and the Kaukonen family have become very close over the years. Our daughter Izze carries the name Lucy on her passport. Lucy was Ray’s wife… John’s mom.
Liam, Ray, Nessa and Izze show team effort with candle duty
‘How are you doing?’ I might ask… and Ray is just as likely to answer, ‘Still cheating Death, Jorma. Still cheating Death’ That’s a dark witticism… but Ray is not dark at all. To have a friend such as him is such a blessing.
Ray at 24 in 1944
And a hearty thanks to Kevin Morgan for his great poster!
That was Sunday with Ray and the Hurlbuts.
Today Vanessa and I drove to Cincinnati for our dear friend Walt Sample’s funeral. Walt was called Home suddenly for reasons that may elude those of us left behind. Was his work done? Was it simply the way it was? This is not for me to say. I do know that Walt touched many lives from many worlds… different sorts of people with humanity in common. Today at the funeral home Walt bound us together with his spirit and I shall hold this feeling close to my heart as long as I live.
You made a difference Walt… and you continue to do so!
We love you brother!
Honor, love, respect… These are the measure of a man! Ray has them… and Walt will always have them. I can only aspire to follow in the footsteps of such truly good men!
My father (Matthew Kennedy) who would have been 92 this year was also a radioman during WWII and Korea. Trained to be a radioman in Bedford Pa. before going aboard the USS Belleau Wood (CVL24) in the Pacific. Wonder if he knew John’s father?….
Playin the Jorma Christmas cd – it is so good. Happy Channukuh Jorma!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
Just came across this last minute stocking stuffer
CHRISTMAS ON THE LAM AND OTHER SONGS OF THE SEASON
A choice selection of 11 songs one Jorma,Larry and Teresa,Bill Kirchen, Suzzy Roche and others.
Very nice indeed.
Peace
Love All Ways
Happy birthday John CIPPOLINA – gone but not forgotten -HAPPY TRAILS
A true wizard on guitar , left to early. CAVALRY ,A true breath of FRESH AIR
Comnenters on Cracks on the Finish all wish a John Cippolina fresh air happy birthday to still groovin JK.
Might as well keep churning it out, what’d’ya gotta lose? 🙂
Happy Birthday Jorma!
Thanks for a memorable night at the Infinity with Legendary Jorma!
Fantastic time we rock.
Happy #76 Captain, and many, many, more
Merry 76 Jorma. The power of the grinding guitar to you…
Happy Birthday Captain.
Looking forward to seeing you in 2017!
Happy and a healthy Birthday Jorma ..
Hope its your best one ever.
Peace
A very merry unbirthday Izzie and Vanessa!
Peace
Love All Ways
and Happy Holidays to all
Happy Birthday, Jorma! Hope you have a wonderful day of celebration.
Happy Birthday Jorma!
Happy Birthday Jorma – STO LOT! Enjoy your day!
Many Happy Returns of The Day Jorma….
Stumbled on this looking at news of the day this morning….
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/this-day-in-jewish-history/.premium-1.760681
Happy Birthday, Jorma! Many more!
Happy Birthday Jorma!
Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah!
Happy Hot Tuna!
Let the good times roll on and on.
Happy Birthday, Jorma!
Your pal, Greg
Dear Jorma,
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Jorrrmaaa, Happy Birthday tooooo yooouuuuuu….Hope you have a wonderful day and all your birthday wishes come true….
You are always singing for us so this is one day we get to sing to you…
Have a great day and many more…
Kathy
🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JORMA
Happy birthday to you, Jorma. Have a nice day with family and friends! Greetings from Germany and: Onwards! (I quote a well-known guitarplayer….)
No wonder John is always in a great place, to be in such esteemed company as his 95 year olde dad .
Keep on truckin
Very best birthday wishes, Jorma. And thank you for everything you have given us.
Happy Birthday Jorma. Nice to hear about John’s father. Goodness runs in that family! My father passsed in 2008. He served at the end of WWII and later Korea. I do miss him. Mom still going strong at 89…flew down to Richmond today from Cleveland to visit with me and her loving granddaughter Nikki. A special couple of weeks with Nanny for sure! I didn’t know Walt personally but how people remember him says a lot about him. Wishing you, your family, John and all the FPR folks blessings for Christmas and the holidays.
If I may bring a little levity to the day, I’m sitting here watching family feud. A contestant was born in Bethlehem, PA, raised in Nazareth, and wanna guess his wife’s name? Carmen! What’re the odds?
Jorma, please accept my sincere condolences and please convey the same to John. I am sure that Ray will be sorely missed and kindly remembered. May he Rest In Peace.
Jorma, you, your fans, and family are blessed.
Happy, Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Jorma! Hope you are having an awesome day! When will see you in Athens, Georgia again? Any chance of a Hot Tuna show coming this way? I saw your last show at the Foundry and would love to see you again!
Happy Birthday Jorma – many more years of touring. You look no more than 60 and your voice is strong. God bless you.
Happy Birthday Jorma ..So proud to call you my Idol ..Been that way for me since the early 70’s ..I am 56 and you have been like a family member to my brothers and i . Many more happy and healthy birthdays Jorma .May your Lamps always be trimmed & burning strong .
Peace & love .
Happy Bday to you Jorma..May you play for us for as long as you wish..Mine is tomorrow..Been seeing HT since the days at the Palladium since 1976 in NYC..And after all that time you still give 100% at the shows..40 years now..wow how time sure does fly..
75 and still aspiring. That says a lot right there.