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R.I.P. John Tripeny
I will quote Michael Chanslor, with his permission: --------------------------- John Tripeny was known as "Trip" by one and all, and the nickname was appropriate. He was a "trip" to be around, and to have as a friend. John was a very unusual guy. He was probably one of the smartest people I've known, although he never showed off. I helped him buy his first computer, a Mac Plus, in 1989. After I got him started, he just took off on his own; one week later he knew more than most people would learn in a year. These were obviously the skills that helped him to become an excellent audio engineer. Before beginning his audio career he wanted to be a chef, and he attended cooking school. Although he left before graduating as a Master Chef, he was one of the best cooks I¹ve known. Holiday gatherings were always a real treat when Trip was in town; he never showed up empty-handed. He was also an avid (and skilled) gardener. After buying his house several years ago, he set about to completely redo the landscaping to his liking. He was never satisfied with the status quo; he was always thinking, always improving. I never heard him say a bad word about anybody. He was always upbeat; he approached life with a positive attitude that should be a lesson for us all. When Trip arrived, the party came alive. Everyone, adults and kids, wanted to hang with him. When he'd leave, it just wasn't as much fun. We enjoyed a great Thanksgiving together last Thursday. Now he's left again, and this time the fun won't be coming back. Quite the Renaissance man, Mr. Tripeny. I wonder if he knew how much he meant to others. I also hope that he passed without suffering. Early indications are a massive stroke or heart attack, as he was found sitting upright on his sofa with his head slumped. John Tripeny was 40 years old. R.I.P. JT! --------------------------- I did not know Trip for 20 years like Michael. I met him this June when we were preparing to tour together with Guitars and Saxes. We did 18 shows all over America and he ramrodded every single one, plus all the travel in between (he was tour managing and mixing FOH, I was on monitors.) He was quite possibly the hardest working man in show business. I have been around a lot of high energy people, Trip took the cake. Like Michael says, he had a lot of love and he was not at all scared to share it. I will remember the talks we had and the good times we shared, on the bus, at the gig, and in the hotel rooms. I will remember how tremendously generous he was with his knowledge. He saved my ass and didn't try to lord it over me that he had had to. That is a rare and beautiful thing. We were all in it together, was how he looked at it. He worked hard, he played hard, and he touched a lot of people's hearts and minds. Many of us will remember him, when we have a great show day, and maybe especially when we have a rough one, and remember how our friend faced challenges without going to the dark side. He savored so much. I think that sums it up. - C.K.
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