Kevin's Fans Reach Out - Kevin Gilbert

Kevin's Fans Reach Out

You'd be surprised at how many fans Kevin still has to this day.
But then again, it's not surprising at all...
Debbie Miller

1-14-99 "Hi. Found your Kevin Gilbert website today. Thank you for putting together all that information. I see that I have a lot of difficult collecting to do. I'm not sure if these items are on your discography under some other name (or if you'll be able to confirm them to be able to include them), but I distinctly remember him doing Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by CSN on the Mark and Brian show (KLOS, Los Angeles). No idea of the date. They also played some sort of Toy Matinee promo that was like a record commercial. It touted that they didn't use studio magic on vocals and guitars and interspersed the narration with snippets from the Toy Matinee CD. It was tongue and cheek and hilarious. I ran out and bought the tape. Hope you can use the info; keep up the good work. Best wishes," Dave Stretch.
Thanks, Dave. I never heard Kevin perform Suite:Judy Blue Eyes, but it must have been great! It will take a little effort to collect all of the Gilbert repertoire, but it's well worth it. Good luck to you.

12-19-98 "Hi, I was happily surprised to find your website tonight. I was just poking around on the web, doing searches on Kevin Gilbert and Robert Ferris when I ran across your page. Thanks for the work you've done. It was cool to find Kevin's discography. I'm interested in finding more of Kevin's work on CD, specifically, the Giraffe CDs and No Two by Robert Ferris - and, of course, anything else that's available. Of Kevin's featured works, I only have Toy Matinee and Thud (with the bonus CD) at this point. As far as his other contributions, I also have Sheryl Crow's Tuesday Night Music Club and the Marc Bonilla CD.
I first met Kevin through Michael Abowd from San Jose around the time of Giraffe, when both Michael and Kevin were writing sound patches for a local (Milpitas) company - can't remember the name, but they were doing awesome work.   I remember hearing song demos at Michael's place that blew me away, from the sound quality alone. Kevin had such an ear for how to get the right sound out of everything.   I couldn't make the one Giraffe show that I knew about due to a conflicting gig - seems like everyone else from the Guitar Showcase crew in San Jose was going that night but me. Regret it to this day. Then, I moved to Texas and didn't hear anything about Kevin until Toy Matinee, when I heard The Ballad of Jenny Ledge on a local Austin radio station as I was driving to work.
.
Anyway, Michael talked about getting me a CD copy of the Giraffe stuff, but I haven't talked to him in about six months to a year, since we were kind of blown away with Kevin's death and have lost some of our connection due to the pain associated with it. Do you know of any way to obtain copies? Also, are there any plans (by PRA or anyone) to distribute more of Kevin's music? Please let me know.
Thanks for your time. I appreciate your work." - Dave. "P.S. Funny, I was on the same 1984 Best of the Bay compilation you show in your list, doing vocals, keys and guitars with a band from San Jose named Raven. Didn't even realize that little tidbit until I pulled out the album about a month ago to reminisce."
Hi, Dave. I have good news for you. Jon Rubin, Kevin's manager, has announced that a lot of Kevin's work will be re-released this year. Toy Matinee is available in a re-mixed format, but it requires additional decoding equipment. If you are interested, you can click on the main page on the CD Now button, and it will take you to the exact ordering site. In other news, The Shaming of the True is tentatively scheduled to be released in April. '99 will be a great year for Gilbert fans. Take care.

12-8-98 "Hi, Debbie. Great website. I've been hooked on Kevin's music ever since Toy Matinee came out. I discovered his music quite by accident and have been preaching it to all of my friends who'd care to listen. I just found out very recently about his death (always the last to know . . . ) and was quite shocked and saddened by the news. Pardon my morbid curiosity, and I hope it's not too insensitive of me to ask, but was it established why or how he died? Thanks much," Ziad Matni.
Yes, Ziad. If you care to read about it, look through the Obituraries page, you'll find it there. Thanks for the kind words about the site.

11-25-98 "Hello. Came across your site. I was just looking around and put in KG's name in a search engine, and I found you. I first met KG in 1989, at Madonna's Christmas Party at her Hollywood Hills home. This was during the time that the Dick Tracy movie was being shot, and I was an extra in it. I am a voice-over guy by trade (now at CBS), but this was a fun movie and I did it. The place was packed, and I heard someone playing the piano, a piece by Mozart. It was KG, in a room by himself playing it. I introduced myself, and we talked. He told me that he was working on the Madonna/Dick Tracy soundtrack, as there were two done. And it was like Toy Matinee as many of the same Tuesday Night Music Club guys played on that CD. KG played a bunch of stuff as I was his audience. We talked, as I was at the time working on the air at an L.A. radio station of note, Pirate Radio. He loved the sound of the station. He was funny. We hung out most of the party. He asked for my card, and we did keep in touch. When Toy Matinee came out, he said "You guys gonna play it at Pirate Radio?" I told him that I would sneak it on the air at night, and I did. Last Plane Out was the track, and it was a hit. The Gulf War had just started, and it fit the mood of the people. There has never been anyone whose lyrics and thoughts have been so close to mine. I ran into him a few times around the city over the years, always with a big grin and "So, what is up with you?" He sent me a copy of Thud, and I said "WOW!" I felt that it was the best CD I have ever gotten, and I still feel that way. And the extra CD that was later enclosed was just as great. There is not a day that goes past that I do not listen to his music. The last time I saw him was at one of his places, Rick's Burgers in Pasadena. He was seemed fine; looked tired, but fine. I told him about how much I listened to Thud, and he loved it. Saturday, May 18, 1996 was a very sad day for me. It was 20 years since my father died. I was pretty upset as it was. Then I get a call from a friend who is with the LA County Coroner's office. He told me that they had just brought in KG's body, and I told him to stop playing around, and he told me it was true. I passed out. Here, the most talented singer/songwriter that the industry had seen in years, was dead. I lost part of my life. I put on my Toy Matinee CD, listened to Remember My Name and cried. I will never forget the talent that was KG. He could play anything and did it well. He got nothing but a headache for making Sheryl Crow's CD a hit. I would toss my Crow CD, but I will not since KG's name is on it. There is no way to describe the way that I feel. I wish that there was more music by him out there, unreleased so that he could live on even more. I miss you, Kevin. You were a bright star in my life that, although you have left us, you will never leave my heart. In my den of empty rooms," Raul Moreno.
Raul, you are so fortunate to have known him. In your grief, you are not alone.

11-12-98 "Dear Debbie, I was compelled to contact you in regards to your astonishing Kevin site, and I say without exaggeration that the Internet, which I had previously viewed as a hopeless morass of garble and trivialities, seems to me now to have been created expressly so that on this day I might find you, and through you, come ever closer to understanding him.

Although I am never surprised to find that the people who knew of Kevin's work are fervent fans, I am constantly amazed to find just how many of us there are, considering the abysmal lack of notoriety he received for all his magnificent work.

However, I was in no way prepared to find your web site on this or any other day.

I am unclear as yet as to the nature of your connection to him, but he was obviously someone dear to you (whether you knew him personally or not) for you to have erected such a loving tribute . . . and you must, more truly than anyone whose writings or work I've encountered, save for Cintra Wilson's, share with us all the torment of his passing, leaving us to only conjecture at what his next great work might have been . . .

Words do not exist to express the awe and wonder I feel at actually hearing works I had only known about in the abstract. I had known they existed but had none of the resources at my command to allow me access to these musical treasures. I have not known such a feeling of discovery since I opened my first (first that I remember) birthday present, or realized that I could make music appear from nothingness by simply fingering piano keys. You have given me a substantial gift, for which I am in your debt, and yet in all likelihood, I will never meet you or get to thank you less impersonally. E-mail can't shake your hand the way I would like to!

So many of the ways I feel about Kevin's music are already so eloquently expressed by others, from Cintra's heartbreaking lament to the collective mourning of the fans, as well as through the numerous web sites (of which I say yours is by far the most definitive and "divinitive"), so it seems redundant to prattle endlessly on about my first listen, or my favorite song, or even to reiterate what a genius he is. And yet, prattle I must, for I have never had the opportunity to commiserate with so many who feel the loss of man we all seemed to know without having met; this, of course being his greatest talent and gift to his listeners, a feeling of peering inside his mind, body and soul through the conduit of his words and music.

I will say merely that from the very beginning of my awareness of Kevin Gilbert, which began with Toy Matinee, I felt a connection to him and a kinship with him that I pray is not merely delusional. I had been writing and performing for several years, writing songs in a genre that was largely moribund (the kiss-of-death term "progressive rock" was often applied), and going through several profound physical, emotional and psychological changes. I suppose I was casting about for a new hero, someone who would shine a light worth following out of the Dark Age of commercial music, and who would take the influences of my youth and meld them with my taste for sweet pop ditties. With my tendencies toward very introspective and often somewhat wordy lyrics, despite my way with a melody I felt destined to always be somewhat of an enigma, and almost certainly a pariah in the industry.

Then, I took the Last Plane Out of my own preconceptions of what could and could not fly in the modern music scene. It's not as if it was a multi-platinum success, and so still wasn't all that encouraging as to what the public will or will not understand to be great art . . . but in terms of its seamless grafting of prodigious musicianship onto crafty, clever and downright beautiful pop structures, it was a discovery more rare than plutonium. Never before had pop seemed so . . . SMART!

With renewed conviction and passion, I plunged into the task of my own reinvention, and the world has yet to see if this has borne fruit or not, so distracted with music as a means of making a living had I become until just very recently (I feel as so many do that my efforts will never rival his, and I, too, have this strange desire to feel that my music is something that would win his approval . . . what is that?!).

My great heartbreak was to come in stages.

I finally had tickets to a Toy Matinee show, having missed the previous go-round, and could not have been more excited by a musical event. Then, with a mere seven days separating me from meeting and greeting my new musical hero, they canceled, promising to reschedule at some time hence.

The club where they were to have played that show closed down a week later. Toy Matinee broke up one week after that. If there were any opportunities after that to have seen him, I didn't know of them.

Now, my audience will have to be held in the next phase of the human experience, which although is a mere blink of the cosmic eye away, seems like a damn long time to make good on those tix.

All I had left after the dust cleared was my Toy and Thud discs, getting as much wear as Sgt. Peppers did when I was nine. Everything else, including conversations with some of his friends like the guys in Spock's Beard, was all anecdotal and made me feel more than a little frustrated that I would never hear Giraffe, NRG, or his last works unless Divine Providence intervened . . .

And in you, it finally has.

Thank you, Debbie, for what has been the most meaningful contact to his the inner sanctum of his genius I have ever experienced. Please know that I will be visiting often and much, and wish you the best of fortunes with your endeavors here and elsewhere. Thank you so very much indeed. Gratefully," Kevin Krohn.
Thank you, Kevin, for your beautiful and heart-felt comments.

10-20-98 D, My name is Dony Wynn. I have been Robert Palmer's drummer and partner in crime since 1977. Have played with many different artists on the side and am now touring with Brooks and Dunn. Go figure? Life, . . . she can be a strange and wacky mistress . . .
All my life I have had, what some might call, quirky tastes. Cannot listen to the shlock that they try to force feed us on the radio, but because of my contacts and my desire to dig deep, I seem to always find something musical in the world at large that I find palatable. Lately have been absorbing Dopamine, by Mitchell Froom. Anything Tchad Blake engineers turns my crank. Am going to hire him to engineer a bizarre hillbilly artist I am producing for Sony. Cannot wait! ...Was turned on to Toy Matinee before it was released by Guy Pratt (we were working on a record in Milan at the time) who played bass on much of it. Kevin's rather unusual manipulation of sound and character in his lyric was arresting to me from the get-go. And then another friend of mine gave me a cassette of Thud which I eventually wore out. Was notified of his death the day it happened by a bass player friend of mine who was working with Kevin in Los Angeles. Always hate when a particularly brilliant artist dies and we will never get to "view" their handiwork again. Why does death have to be so damn final? Sucks . . .
Anyway, to bring my diatribe to a final resting place, my question to you is this . . . I would love to get my hands on everything this guy did before he departed. Could you send me a detailed list so I can rush out and procure? And if some are strictly collectors' items, I would be interested in those a well.
Thank you for taking the time to put up your site. I know it is a labor of love and it shows," - WDW2.
Thanks, Dony. The Giraffe CD's should be released this year, along with Shaming of the True. Let's keep in touch.

10-19-98 "Hey Debbie, My name is Tim . . . I'm writing you from Charlotte, NC. Just visited your site for Kevin and wanted to let you know how much it is/will be appreciated. I am a professional musician . . . have toured with Bob Seger, Robert Palmer, and others. I was fortunate to receive (from a friend in LA) an extremely rough (probably 7th generation cassette copy) of The Shaming of the True. I've briefly (thru E-mail) spoken with Dan Barrette about the release of "Shaming" and was wondering if you knew any new info. Also . . . I was wondering who, if any, helped (performed/w) Kevin on that project (the additional players).   Again . . . thanks for your labor of love . . . "- Tim.
Yes, today I received an E-mail from Jon Rubin that "Shaming" should be out in April if all goes well. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

9-28-98 "Hi Deb, Just another maxed-out Kevin G fan here. I'm also an artist, with two solo CD's that always tried to approximate Kevin's quality and failed miserably. But I keep trying. I have a small tribute to him on my home page, nothing special, just a note.   It's been a long time and I'm still in shock. Maybe mostly in shock over how few people ever heard him, and that's the saddest comment on this business that I can think of. Thanks for the tributes, he's smiling on you." - Rick Manwiller.
Rick, your E-mail made me feel good. I hope he is. My wish is that I get to meet him in Heaven, and that he'll give me a hug and sing for me. It may sound foolish, but we all have our dreams. . .

9-23-98 "Dear Debbie, I was listening to Power of Suggestion while hacking code at work and was wondering if any new sites relating to Kevin had appeared. I went to Web Crawler, and yours was Number 1. Amazing site. Great Work. Thanks!
I have been listening to Kevin's music since the Giraffe days when he would show up on Greg Stones Prog Music show on the local San Jose FM stations. From the start you could tell this person was different. Over the course of musical history select people rise above the crowd (Mozart, Beethoven, Ellington, Lennon, Gabriel, Stevie Ray). Kevin definitely belonged to that group. His music was deceptively simple. But if you went inside the songs you would discover a depth and complexity usually missing from modern "pop" music.
I have been on a quest since I learned of his passing and am hoping you can update me. I am looking for a copy of The View from Here. I gather from your site that Kevin's estate may be re-releasing some of his earlier works. Hopefully "View" will be included. But in the mean time, do you know of a way of obtaining a copy? Thanks for your time and your site." - Dan Day.
Other than knowing someone that already has a copy, Kev's CD's are hard to come by. Both Giraffe CD's are scheduled to be re-released this year. I'll put the info on my site just as soon as I find out. Take care.

9-17-98 "I remember, the day Kevin died, searching the 'net for anything I could find to connect myself to him in some tangible way . . . there was so little available at that time and I was reassured that I was one of the lucky few that had ever stumbled across his genius. I felt lucky to be living in Los Angeles where I could hear Mark and Brian play his music often and have him in the studio from time to time. I felt luckier to be living in Pasadena and feel some geographical closeness to him, even though I never met him and it shouldn't have mattered to me. But . . . it did.
So, tonight, after listening to Thud for the billionth time, I decided to poke around again and see what two years had brought to the web and I found your site. Thanks, by the way, for the Shadow Self lyrics!
You know, there is one song that Kevin wrote with Marc Bonilla that doesn't appear in the discography, but definitely deserves to be there . . . and there's a story that goes with it. It used to be common practice for Mark and Brian to have guest DJ's when they went on vacation and during one of those weeks, Kevin and Marc took over the Mark and Brian show for one four-hour morning stint. I tell you, they could have made a career as morning DJ's . . . they were a BLAST! The song came from listeners . . . they took calls one after the other, first asking each successive caller for a line until they had enough for a decent lyric, then they requested chord progressions. Once they had all the parts, they took an extended commercial break and upon return, performed the song live on the air. It rocked! The unofficial title they gave it was This One Goes to Eleven (one caller had a Spinal Tap fixation).
Sadly, I do not have that morning taped, nor any other live performance they did for Mark and Brian. If you could turn me on to any sources, I'd greatly appreciate it . . .   Come to think of it, I have precious little of Kevin's work . . . I have Toy Matinee, of course, and Thud (with the companion disc) and Bonilla's EE Ticket, but that's it. I've never located any Giraffe or NRG recordings. Again, if you know of any sources . . . That reminds me . . . Patrick Leonard released a project called Third Matinee four or five years ago that I'm pretty sure Kevin had nothing to do with, but Patrick was intending to carry on with the Toy Matinee spirit. I never saw a copy in stores and thus have never heard it.
I know all of this Kevin reminiscing is preaching to the choir, but it's good to connect with others who experienced what he had to give this world. When I introduce someone to Kevin's music, I always describe him as someone who didn't exactly live on a different plane, as some true geniuses do but rather as someone who had one foot firmly planted there and one foot planted back here with the rest of us and he was graced with the gift of being able to report back to us what he saw there.
I know I'm not alone in my feelings of loss. He was taken from us far too soon. I can only imagine what stories he still had left to tell us. I still feel anger toward him for the insane way in which he left. When Stevie Ray checked out, it was somehow OK . . . I cried but I understood. When I heard Kevin had gone, I was shocked into numbness . . . soon after, when I learned how, I was enraged. What was he *thinking*?!
Anyway . . . thanks for a wonderful job on a page to a man that will never get the credit his short life so richly deserved . . . " Erick Schenkelberg.
You know, Erick, I was driving to work the day that Kev was DJ-ing for Mark and Brian. I heard that show, and it was hilarious! I haven't run across anyone with a tape of that show, and I've gone so far as to write KLOS and offer to pay for a copy - with no resonse. If anyone has a copy of that show, I would dearly love to have it. I'd put it up on the site for everyone to hear. Thanks, Erick, for sharing your thoughts with us.

9-8-98 "Hi Debbie, I wasn't sure if you were alerted to the fact that there are two Rubinoos-related albums that are newly released. The new Rubinoos album is called Paleophonic and the other is an offshoot band called "Vox Pop," and they're both great! And I'm sure you know that "paleophonic" was produced by Kevin Gilbert. They're available from Not Lame, at http://www.notlame.com" - Marty Rudnick.
I'll definately check it out!

9-6-98 "Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish reading everything the site had to offer. I will go back. But let me thank you so much for having this here for me. Kevin was someone that I can't seem to forget or forgive for leaving me. We shared five years together regardless of the fact that we always had someone else to explain our whereabouts to. I know it's really stupid but he visits me all the time. Messes with me in my car mostly . . . but somehow that gives me a sense of peace. I wasn't someone that came around or really knew his friends. I think I was his secret. I wasn't as smart as Kevin . . . I was an adult little girl that he could influence and teach. I'm okay with that. I feel he had a knack for fixing lost souls. In any event, I thank you. I don't know what made me look to find you. But I am thankful I did." - Gina Gian.
Gina, I know what it's like to be a secret friend - it's great! You were special to him. I know you miss him very much. I'm sure he's still watching over you. Take care, and please keep in touch.

9-5-98 "Debbie, I want to take this time to thank you for having the heart to put up a web-page for Kevin. I've joked (albeit with more than a tinge of bitterness) whenever my band does our cover versions of Waiting (both electric and acoustic) and Joytown (ditto) and people ask me, "Who does THAT?!?", "Oh, it's a dead guy that you've never heard of . . . and don't you dare ask me to play any fuckin' Sheryl Crow. Now siddown and shuddup!" But the joke hides more pain than I'm willing to let on, even to my closest friends.
When I heard that Kev had died, I, like most of the people who loved his music, was dumbfounded. "Nah, it's just a rumor. It can't be that Kevin Gilbert." But it was, and it is, and dammit, I miss him more than I could've thought possible. I hadn't even been aware of Thud until almost two years after he'd died and that more than anything pissed me off even more. I kept thinking, Gilbert, you stupid bastard! I just now get this, and you've gone and died on me and as selfish as I know this is, I will never hear anything new from you ever again. If you were here right now. . . My guitarist told me Friday that a mutual friend had surfed around and found your site, so I figured I'd stop by, expecting only to find a dribbling of information. Now, here I sit typing to a complete stranger who just became infinitely more intimate, on the verge of tears for the first time since I heard the news and I'm feeling the anger, frustration and loss all over again. I love his music and anyone else who does automatically becomes extended family (not to mention anyone who despises her!). I, like you, have turned people onto Kev's stuff -- being a musician, I've always been willing to swipe out of the artist's mouth if it'll turn someone onto something great! -- and I hope I'm able to get Giraffe and Kaviar, not to mention all of the other stuff you've so graciously listed on your site. I can't thank you enough for being here and letting me know that I'm not alone in the way I feel about Kev and his legacy. Keep up the fabulous work and maybe I'll talk to you sometime soon. Take care," - Jamie Ashby
Jamie, you're my kindred spirit! You've said it all. Take care, my friend!

9-1-98 "My name is Jan and I met Kevin for a week in Japan in -89. I just wanted to say that you are doing a great job on your K.G. page. He was a great artist and we wrote each other for some time before losing contact in -92. Keep up the good work!" - Jan Hellman.
Jan, thanks for the kind words. Kev was the best!

8-26-98 "Hi Debbie, I just wanted to say that I have been a fan of Kevin's since Toy Matinee. I am still greatly saddened by the loss of such genius. I am also writing to see if there is any info you can give me about finding his music anywhere. I already have Thud and Toy Matinee but would die to get my hands on anything else (Giraffe, NRG, etc.) I realize that most is out of print and I don't want to do anything illegal, but any suggestions you might have would be tremendous. Thanks for your help," - David McHenry.
David, this is our year. The Giraffe CDs and Shaming of the True will be out later this year. Hold on!

8-21-98 "Debbie, I just stumbled onto your site tonight. I've been thinking about Kevin on and off recently, and I'm so happy to see that there are people out there continuing to spread the word about him and making his musical gift available to us.
I knew Kevin for about seven or eight months before his death. I met him while he was on tour with Nick, opening for Jonatha Brooke. Kevin and I talked for about an hour after his set, and we spoke again via phone and E-mail a handful of times afterwards. I regret that I didn't know him longer or better, but I consider him a friend. For our wedding last summer, my wife and I selected When You Give Your Love to Me as our first song.
I read some of the fans notes and other written tributes/eulogies posted on your site. I don't know whether you would be interested in looking at it, but I wrote a couple of poems which were inspired by Kevin's death and his work.
Please E-mail me if you would like me to send them your way. Thanks again for your efforts here. Please keep it up!" - John Shuford.
Thanks, John. I would love to read your poems. Send them to me and I'll add them to the site. Take care!

8-18-98 "Hi Debbie, I thought you might be interested that a CD Kevin produced in 1995-96 (finished right before he died). It's The Rubinoos Paleophonic. Jon Rubin of the Rubinoos was Kevin's manager and close friend (you may have dealt with him-he is the executor of Kevin's estate). Tommy Dunbar, songwriter of the Rubinoos has also co-written with Kevin. Kevin loved the Rubinoos and was gracious enough to produce the record. He called the Rubinoos "aggressively cheerful," quite an apt description. Anyway, the CD is dedicated to Kevin, and I know that Jon and Tommy miss him terribly. He inspired them to push themselves harder on this record, and I think it's the best they've ever done, thanks to Kevin. Regards," Brenda Rinard (aka Mrs. Tommy Dunbar).
Thanks, Brenda! I know that everyone who reads this will want to get that CD soon. Thanks for letting us know!

8-17-98 "There is a CD called Dance Across the Universe from Universal. Sort of a greatest hits dance CD. There is a song call Strong Enough to be your Man by the Keta Men.   I have it on good authority that this IS Kevin Gilbert.   I'm told this is a Sheryl Crow song, but I don't have that album.   When I listen to the song (which is kind of parody) I Love it, Love IT, LOVE IT. So it must be him.
Thank you for your site, otherwise I might NEVER get to hear the Giraffe stuff." - Scott Shupe
Thanks, Scott! I'll have to check it out!

8-12-98 "Dear Debbie, I read "SPECIAL NOTE (meaning when my hard drive crashed). How have you been doing? I hope you are all fine. I discovered an interesting thing. A Japanese musician covered Waiting for the Rain of Giraffe. His name is Sumitada Azumano. Unfortunately, I don't know him. I found the CD today and bought it. A lyric is different in the contents a little so that he writes it in Japanese. But refrains are the same (waiting for the rain, waiting for the rain). It is strange to hear the song of Kevin in Japanese. And, I was surprised that Kevin composed with a Japanese musician together. His name is Aska. He is the extremely famous musician in Japan and Asia. But I don't understand it how he got to know with Kevin. Song of Never End entered his CD that was released in 1995. I will write again. Your friend," Mayumi Shibata.
Mayumi, I'm doing okay, all things considered. I'm so glad to hear from you again. I'll see if I can find that CD and listen to it. Take care!

8-10-98 Debster, This is a great site! I was wondering if you knew of the existence of KG and or Toy Matinee song books or sheet music. I had the rare opportunity of witnessing Toy Matinee's first ever live performance back in the winter of '90. I was, and still are, blown away by the sincerity of his music. His CDs have earned a spot in our design studio's library of continuously playing music-next to the likes of King Crimson, David Bowie, XTC, Pink Floyd and an array of music that'll never get airplay. Thanks," Ron Maatita.
I haven't run across any song books or sheet music, but I know that people are writing their own. If I hear of any, I'll let you know. Take care.

8-10-98 "Dear Debbie, My name is Patrice. I have known Kevin since we were 15 years old. We both went to a private school in San Mateo, CA. We were in high school plays together. We dated for awhile - in fact his lyric inspiration to P. Nay on the back of his N.R.G. album was for me. I loved it: The song is Mere Image. We remained friends when I left California after high school and moved to Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX. We always remained friends, and we visited each other on and off through the years. The last time I saw him was August 16, 1995. I cherish that evening. I love him with all my heart. I miss him deeply. I have all his music and love that I can still hear his beautiful voice. I feel so lucky to have known this man. He is truly a wonderful person. I have kept up with all the wonderful tributes to him on the Internet. It is so comforting to read all the great things everyone has to say. Thanks for a fantastic page. I don't think Kev knew how highly respected and loved he was. I think he probably knows it now!" - Patrice.
Kevin is still loved by a multitude of people, many who aren't even on the web yet. I envy you, and you are lucky to have known him. Keep in touch, Patrice. Take care.

8-10-98 "Hi Debbie. First, let me introduce myself. My name is Edwin Ammerlaan and I am a freelance writer for OOR, the leading rock mag in the Netherlands. I've been writing about the famous and not-so-famous people in pop for more than 10 years now, with names like Tori Amos, Page and Plant and Prince recently added to my list. A while ago, I wrote a piece about Sheryl Crow, but I ended up investigating the really intriguing story about all the people she'd worked with. I talked to a couple of them, including David Baerwald and Dan Schwartz. They told me the short story of Kevin's life, including its sad ending. I bought Thud and really got hooked to the absolute beauty of his music. Also bought a copy of the Toy Matinee CD, but could actually find or buy any other stuff. One year ago, I spoke to Nick, the drummer of Spock's Beard, and he told me that he is working on Kevin's rock opera. Now, here is why I am writing you; I am very happy and surprised to hear a piece of the opera on your site. What a great piece of music, what a shame it's only in Real Audio. Do you know if Nick or any other musicians are still working on this project? If so, what's the latest news? Could you also, please, tell me what the easiest way (or link) is for trying to order stuff like the Giraffe albums? I am working on a KG-story for OOR and want it to run in the mag as soon as the opera comes out, which will be soon, I hope. Thanks for your time and help," Edwin Ammerlaan.
The latest news is that TSOTT should be out in April, if everything goes according to plan per Jon Rubin. I feel very positive that it won't be long until we have new Gilbert CDs to listen to. Thanks for E-mailing me, Edwin!

7-31-98 "Hi Debbie, I just wanted you to know that I'm really enjoying your KG site. Thanks so much for the Real Audio page. Even though I've got the Giraffe, Toy Matinee, and Thud albums, there is still considerable music that Kevin has produced. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to hear some of it. A Long Day's Life is really a wonderful song. I can only hope that it gets officially released sometime soon. I still get so depressed when I think that Kevin won't be making any more music for us. I guess we were lucky to have him for the time he was here. Take care," Steve Green.
Yeah, I get depressed when I think about it for any length of time. I have to keep my focus and know when to turn off the music or it affects my whole day. Thanks for your kind words about the site.

7-23-98 "Dear Debbie, I've sent one E-Mail to bewtifulfreak today about Kevin's music. As I described there, I was introduced to Kevin's music by a friend from Poland two or three years ago. I tried to find out details about this musician then but failed abysmally as very little, if nothing, is known of this man in the UK. Just recently, I have been searching through the web again and found your tribute to him, for which I must commend you. I have listened to many of the Real Audio you have provided and it only strengthens my opinion of his ability, now sadly missing. It was only recently that I discovered that Kevin had passed away in 1996, and I was saddened and shocked not to have learned earlier. I only have a tape recording of the Giraffe album The View From Here. It became one of my favourites when I first heard it, but it is disappointing that I had to hear this music from a source in Poland and not my own country, England. Hopefully, the rumours that I read of a re-release of the two Giraffe albums will be out soon and that there is some truth in what I read. In the meantime, continue your excellent work in keeping the memory of Kevin alive, and if you can find time, please drop me a line some day. Kind regards," - Don Markwick.
The Giraffe albums will be out shortly. I'm really looking foward to that day. Thanks so much for your kind words about the site, Don. Take care!

7-14-98 "Hi, I just wanted to give you a million "THANKS" for your gestaltian "Kevin Gilbert" web site. I can easily see it as an act of love although It has left me with mixed feelings. I think it's wonderful to keep the memory of someone whom I consider has a depth of musical gunius that is as broad as it is rare, but I get a feeling of ?&%$$@# when I think that many who love his music have yet to hear much of it, and that it will probably never be released. Can you help? Sincerly," Bill.
Well, I can offer you hope with a lot of anticipation! A lot of Kev's recordings will be out this year, as well as Shaming of the True.

7-13-98 "Hello, Debbie. I really enjoy your tribute page. My brother worked with Kevin on a few projects. Since I am a bay area native, I have known of Kev since his Giraffe days. I own just about everything he has released and worked on. Anyways, this site has a real nice piece on Kevin, thought I would pass it along to you. Go to www.moosenet.com then click on the "Mike Keneally page". Go to "Mike types to you" scroll down to "May 19, 11:19 pm." Mike is a talented guitarist who has worked with Kevin. Any word on when anything new might be released? Thanks again, cheers!" Rich Arnest.
Howdy, Rich! This is our year - I'll see you at the record shop!

6-3-98 "Debbie, Thanks for the great Kevin Gilbert tribute site. It's a goldmine for us true fans. Reading through it brought up a lot of stuff for me that I hadn't felt in a while. I'd like to share some of it with you if I may. I apologize in advance for my wordiness.
Kevin Gilbert was for me, the perfect musical artist. He seemed to draw from the same influences that had inspired me to play and create, yet he sounded like no one I'd ever encountered. His music embodied virtually every element that had ever appealed to me in all my previous favorite artists. It was as though he was put here to make music just for me. No other artist has ever had the impact on me creatively or personally that Kevin has. I love his brilliant, one-of-a-kind lyrics (who that knows them doesn't?), his keen sense for orchestration and clever arrangement, his highly literate sense of humor, his penchant for, as Marc Bonilla aptly described, "carefully rehearsed spontaneity"... Hell, there wasn't anything I didn't love about Kevin's work.
Even now, two years after his death, I feel the blow of his absence as I did upon hearing the awful news. My sense of loss came on several levels. I barely knew him. I guess I'd qualify as a casual acquaintance, but I feel deep regret that I never got the chance to know him better. My first and most memorable encounter with him came about as a result of my deciding that, in order to get my ultimate music-making fix, I needed to work with him. I wanted to get my foot in his door somehow hoping that our apparent mutual musical loves would lead to something productive. After a couple of failed attempts, I managed to get a tape and package of my best work to date to him. Not knowing him at all then, and having had the experience all too many times before, I figured my tape would be ignored at best. About a week later I returned home from some errands to find a note from my wife saying "Kevin Gilbert Called!" and a phone number. My jaw hit the floor - my heart hit the ceiling!! I really never expected to hear from him at all, let alone in such a "normal" manner. After all this guy was a musical genius and destined star, not a regular guy. When I called him back, I discovered that he was in fact a most gracious "regular guy." We talked for over an hour about anything I could think to pick his brain about, and he gave me some very encouraging feedback about my work. He had just finished Thud and he informed me that he was putting a new live band together. He inquired about my bass playing style and suggested we get together sometime to play. After further discussion, it appeared to us both that he was looking for a different style player than myself but at least now he knew who I was and had shown some interest. Looking back on it now, I wish I'd pursued him harder. I figured then that even if I wasn't right for his band, I'd be able to get him to produce my project eventually, perhaps even write some songs together. I figured I had plenty of time to make it happen.
That was one year before he died. I met him in person not long after that following his performance of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway at Progfest '95 (an absolutely stunning performance) and we chatted some more. He remained a regular guy but I did notice something about him... something in his eyes. There was something very different about him. You could almost see his genius glowing under his "regular guy" exterior.
Ultimately, I'm sure our brief encounters were a mere grain in the sand of his life, but they were mountainous moments for me. I still had hopes of eventually working with him. He became my musical yardstick. I found with every song I wrote and recorded or every time I played live, I'd say to myself "what would Kevin think of this?" It got to the point where I would re-write songs on the assumption that Kevin wouldn't be impressed. After his death, I experienced and emptiness I didn't understand at first. I later realized that I had spent so much creative energy working to win his approval and admiration - something that was now impossible. I stopped creating for a time, a significant part of my motivation was lost. Yeah, I was a bit obsessed but that's how powerful Kev's music was for me. Eventually the inspiration returned. I now feel he'll always be looking over my shoulder in a sense. I know I'll never come near his total brilliance, but I hope that his genius can in some way remain through the inspiration I and certainly many others draw from his music.
Probably my deepest regret is knowing I'll never get to enjoy again the thrill of hearing his next recording for the first time. I do look forward to hearing "The Shaming" in it's entirety but it will be bittersweet knowing there's nothing to follow it. He was one-of-a-kind, and I miss him like a close friend.
Thanks again for your cool web/deb site. Regards, " - Scott Richards.
Thanks, Scott, for the kind words about my site. Never, ever, apologize for "wordiness" to me. I love to hear from people about Kevin. "The Shaming" project was mixed last February, and it should be out this year (I have my fingers crossed!). Keep in touch!

6-1-98 "Hey Deb - Rob Moore here. Just wanted to say howdy and make sure everything is good with you. Any Kevin news lately, the Spocks Beard mailing list is abuzz with talk of him. I pointed everyone to your site since it's the best around, I think there are some new fans there." - Rob
Hi, Rob. Thanks for asking about me, I'm feeling a little better these days. Do you have information on how to subscribe to the Spocks Beard mailing list? Thanks for pointing Kev fans to this site. Talk to you soon!

5-29-98 "Debbie, Thanks for the web site. It's a great source with lots of info about KG. One thing that I noticed was that the discography seems incomplete still. I believe that Toy Matinee had two albums with Kevin, the second one called Men without Pat.
Unfortunately for me, I discovered Kevin's work days after his death (and didn't know for almost the first month or so that he had died). I've been trying to get as much of his music as I can; but as I'm sure you know, that can be quite a daunting task. I've managed to find Thud, Toy Matinee (first one), and The Power of Suggestion. I also have a bit of his live stuff on the Progfest '94 disc. Might you have any clues as to where to find the others? Thanks again " - Brian Dumont.
Hi, Brian. I never heard of the "Men Without Pat" album. I'd love to hear it. I'll send you an email about the others you mentioned. Thanks for emailing me.

5-29-98 "Hi Debbie! Here is something interesting that I came across--sorry if you've already seen it. Click on the link below and then scroll down to the bottom of the page. I E-mailed John Cuniberti a couple of weeks ago and asked if he had any information, but I haven't received a reply. Anyway, I thought it was interesting: http://www.musicproducer.com/discographies/john_cuniberti.htm. Take it easy," Kevin Schutt.
This is so exciting! I've been anxious for any word on "The Shaming" project, and you and I found this site at about the same time. Thanks, Kevin!

5-28-98 "Hi, Debbie. Sorry - this is weird - My wife's name is Debbie, so if I call you "hon", it's only because of that!!
Playing for Kevin - yep. He was a really nice guy, and I believe a true musical genius, but he had his troubles. I got hired to play for two shows with Kevin in spring of 1995 at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano in support of Thud when his regular bassist became ill suddenly. One of the players on the One West Waikiki sound track, Don Randy, is an old friend of mine, and suggested me to Kevin when he started looking for replacement players. He mainly suggested me because I can read very well.
I met Kevin for one rehearsal at S.I.R. the day before the first gig (I can't remember the exact date) and we went through the set. I've always been a big fan of prog groups like Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant and Yes, and Toy Matinee really spun my head around. I had purchased Thud after hearing Kashmir on the Mark and Brian show, and Tony Pia is another good friend of mine, so I was already familiar with the tunes and most of the players. Kevin was really nervous about throwing the reigns to a new guy (who could blame him?), and God knows his tunes are. . . well. . . different. . . (I love 'em - don't get me wrong) and after about an hour or so of rehearsal, he settled down and all was well. The gigs went well, and Kevin told me afterwards that if he had any other needs of another bassist, I was it, and he recommended me for several other gigs, including backing up Bill Bottrell with some blues band at the Palomino for a couple of nights - that was a fantastic experience! He also referred me to Jeff Lobber, who took me out on tour in the later part of 1995. I'll always be indebted to him.
He was a perfectionist - I can tell you that! His charts were immaculate; every single line notated - nothing to chance. He had absolutely fabulous ears, and was very big on articulation of the parts during the tunes - going thru the motions of just playing what's on the page he equated to "playing like John Wetton. Anyone can do that." I liked that reference.
It's great that someone has taken time to laud a very unsung musical hero - I applaud you. I cannot tell you how many times I have told people about Toy Matinee or Giraffe, and all I get are stares like Bambi in headlights, and it's not fair. Kevin's stuff ranks right up there with any other of the progressive musical giants like Genesis, Yes, Camel and Gentle Giant, and he had 500 times the lyrical content of any of them. He was a true genius in every sense of the term, and I still have a hard time thinking of him gone. What a loss. What a waste.
I hope that will give you some insight into him and his music." - Marc Miller.
Thanks, Marc, for sharing your experiences. I miss Kevin, too.

5-26-98 "Hi, Debbie! My name is Tomas, I live in Sweden and, like you, I'm in love with the work of Kevin Gilbert. I like your site a lot, I'm looking forward to seeing new additions soon). In the discography you just put a ? for release date of Tim Pierce album. I have it right here, it's from -94. In case you haven't heard it, get it - it's brilliant. And Kevin's presence is obvious from the first keyboard sound. Take care" - Tomas Angshamma
Thanks, Tomas!

5-18-98 "You've done a great job on your web site. I've followed Kevin's career since Toy Matinee and met him several times before his untimely death. I was in the first row for his performance of the "Lamb" and had a chance to speak with him at the Troubador and also at a Yes convention.
As you could probably guess, I'm a musician, and no one was ever a more complete musical package than Kevin (Trevor Rabin would be a close second--but he didn't have the lyrics). I got out of the biz about two years ago and put down my guitar (my main instrument) but I just picked it up again to learn We Always Come Home - the first new song I learned since putting it down two years ago.
I'm writing mostly to establish contact with someone who appreciated Kevin's work. Please respond so I know that you received this. One observation on the web site: When Kevin introduced Best Laid Plans on KLOS, he said, "it's about Toy Matinee". How could it have been about Toy Matinee if he used it to audition for them? Also, was the audition the Yamaha competition that P. Leonard judged? Do you know what songs Giraffe played for that?
Finally, please keep me in the loop for any Kevin Gilbert info. If you have a list of people you send updates to, I want to be on it!
Thanks for being so instrumental in keeping Kevin Gilbert's name and music alive" - Michael J. Carapella.
Hi Michael. That's why I ask people to help with the discography. We'll get it straight yet. Check out Ann McMillan's site for articles on the Yamaha competition. Thanks!

5-16-98 "Hey Debbie, I've mentioned once before how great this site is (really it is!) but I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. I was listening to Giraffes The Last Thing On Your Mind and couldn't help to hear the huge similarity to Michael Jackson's Black or White. I know Kevin worked with him in the past, do you know if Kevin refurbished The Last Thing On Your Mind for Michael? Just really curious. Thanks again," - Dan.
I never put the two of them together. It's an interesting notion. Thanks, Dan!

5-16-98 "Hello, Debbie. Back when it first came out I bought the Toy Matinee CD. I listened to it several times and fell in love with it. A lot of thought provoking material on this CD. After a couple of years I loaned it to a musician buddy of mine who then wouldn't give it back to me. Well I finally did get it back a couple of months ago and I started doing some searching on the web for information on the artists involved with this album. I have since then purchased these CD's: Thud (with the companion disc), Giraffe - The Power Of Suggestion (the 'initialed by KG' and numbered re-release), Tim Pierce - Guitarland, and Patrick Leonard - Rivers.
Do you have any suggestions on where a person can go to get other Kevin related items? I would especially like to hear more of the NRG stuff. I guess I can check your web page every now and then to see when/if the new stuff gets released. (I have found a guy who thinks he can get me a used copy of Giraffe's The View From Here).
You have a very marvelous tribute web page here.
I let that same friend borrow the Giraffe and Thud CD's to listen to. (I told him I wasn't going to let him keep them more than a couple of days this time :) ) Here is an excerpt of what he wrote me about the albums.

I haven't enjoyed listening to music this much in years! I only wish I had paid a little more attention to Kevin's work before he moved on. He was, unquestionably, a tortured soul. It's a sad irony, that the gift of his music and his life had to become silent, in order for him to find the peace and resolution he was searching for. For all that he has given us, I hope he found a seat on the last plane out."

Oh yes, one other question. Do you by any chance have a list of the credits for the Giraffe CD's? The re-release I have has minimal liner notes. Who played what. How much of it was Ke(l)vin. Thanks" - Perry 'Bo' Graham.
I should have all that info up on my site in the near future. But I suggest you check out Rob Barsch's web site on Kevin. I bet he has it listed there. Thanks, Perry!

4-30-98 "I just got Rob Lamothe's (formerly of the Riverdogs) new and it was dedicated in memory of Kevin. I worked with Riverdogs in 1990 as one of their guitar tech's while they were rehearsing and writing songs for their first album, Riverdogs. I remember being introduced to Kevin by Riverdogs equipment manager Mike LaBonte. I remember being completely amazed at the amount of talent this guy had. At the time, he had just finish the second Giraffe CD and I was amazed that it was all Kevin. I remember when Kevin was thinking about joining the Riverdogs. I remember thinking what an incredible musician he was and that he would bring so much to the Riverdogs, not that they needed anything but, who could pass up the opportunity to have Kevin in the band? I got out of the business before Riverdogs recorded their first album. When it came out I was not surprised to see that Kevin had played Keyboards on a track called America. Not only did he play keyboards on the track but he also produced it. I am sorry to say that I did not follow his career better than I did and that I am only finding out now, two plus years later, that he is gone. God speed Kevin. Your talent and your being will be missed." - Michael Winnen
I'll have to check out Riverdogs. Thanks, Michael!

4-24-98 "Dirk Schubert gave me your address, and I thought I would say hello....I used to mix Kevin live and sure do miss him ad the music! I am working on getting some of my live tapes together....will let you know when I do. Drop a line sometime." - John Tripeny.
Thanks, John. I'm looking forward to them!

4-21-98 "Excellent page Deb! Its seems more and more everyday someone new gets onto the amazing works of the brilliant Kevin Gilbert. Glad to see more sites like this up and running providing fans with the info that's so hard to come by. To this day I still continue to get more and more people into all of Kevin's music. My brother Dave caught on about a year ago and still hasn't put any of his material down yet! But its not just him. Every person I play his stuff to seems to love it! I urge anyone to open your ear for just a minute and hear the distinct voice that has quickly become my favorite of all time. Keep this extraordinary page running!" - Matt Corsak.
Hi Matt. I play Kev's material for people that I meet all the time. And the usual comment I get is, "Why haven't I heard of this guy? He's great!" Thanks, Matt!

4-17-98 "Debbie, I have finally found the site I've been looking for! Your page helps me get my regular fix of Kevin. I have never been moved by someone I have not personally known. Kevin is that. I thank you for sharing all you possibly can on this cosmic being." - fellow musician and observer of Kevin's genius," - Dan.
Dan, you're welcome.

4-16-9 "Thanks, Debbie, for the site. I noticed no mention of Kevin's work as producer of the album Rubes by The Rubinoos. Jon Rubin of the Rubinoos was also Kevin's manager. The Rubes album will probably come out this year. It's great, by the way." - Marty Rudnick.
Anything that Kevin and Jon worked on is destined to be great. Thanks, Marty! I'll check it out!

4-5-98 "Hi, Debbie - Do you have any info regarding The Shaming of the True? On the Gentle Giant mailing list (On Reflection) we had heard recently that KG's estate was working through the red tape of getting this and some other material released. Do you know anything about this? Thanks," - Frank Lauria.
Hi, Frank. I was surfing through sites the other day, and found that "The Shaming of the True" was mixed in the studios this last February. I think it's really going to happen. Cross your fingers!

3-26-98 "Debbie, it's refreshing to learn that Kevin Gilbert hasn't slipped into total oblivion yet; his ignominious death and following obscurity continue to astound me. It is an indictment of the rest of the world, I say. I still mourning my lost hero, and am salivating over the hope that I might get ahold of his unreleased work. He is neither gone nor forgotten, thanks to people like you." - Richard Mandl.
Thanks, Richard.

3-12-98 "Debbie, You are beautiful! Your Kevin Gilbert site is fantastic! I didn't know the man personally. I first heard his work with Toy Matinee when a DJ here in Pittsburgh took a strong liking to them and played Last Plane Out at least once a day for about two weeks. I'm so glad that I accidently heard that song one day, because it started my whole appreciation for KG and his music. I'm a musician, engineer and producer here in Pittsburgh and a major music fan of many styles of music. Many of Kevin's songs however quickly took the top honors in terms of my favorite songs of all time. From the first time I heard him sing a note on Toy Matinee, I was amazed at his style, his delivery and his passion for his music and his amazing lyrics. I immediately looked for anything I could find with KG's name on it. I was lucky enough to locate Thud and it immediately became my favorite album. The lyrics to Goodness Gracious just blew my mind. Song for a Dead Friend drove me to tears the first time I heard it. I remember reading a review in either Musician or Keyboard Magazine way back when Toy Matinee first came out. They were calling Kevin Gilbert and Patrick Leonard the "Steely Dan of the 90's". The production on that album blew me away. Kevin's production on Thud was equally amazing considering he recorded it in his living room. After I first learned of Kevin and his background, I was immediately reminded of a music store owner friend of mine who had years before came home from the Yamaha Soundcheck competition and told me about this incredible front-man for this no-name band called Giraffe who won that years competition. The only reason that stuck in my mind was because of how impressed he was with him and how excitedly he told me about him. I've been trying to get my hands on some Giraffe stuff, but so far I've had no luck. I was so utterly shocked and disappointed when I learned of Kevin's death, I felt like I lost a personal friend. I was actually mad at him for taking his talent away from the world. I really consider him a genius and I will miss him dearly... Thanks again for keeping the memory of a rare genius alive..." - David Thomas, Pittsburgh, PA.
David, thanks for the heart-felt words. You're not alone in your thoughts.

3-12-98 "Hi Debbie! Thanks for the url! Looks like a great site. I've bookmarked it. I'll be back over and over, I'm sure. The older I get the more I feel a kinship with Kevin. His songs sang my life. He was amazing. I felt like I knew him, but only exchanged email once or twice, I think. And even then I wasn't sure. It's a wierd planet. Thanks for keeping me up to date." - Ed Crabtree
Ed, my pleasure.

3-10-98 "Dear Debbie, Good to hear from you. There is lots of Kevin news around the bend. I had a nice chat with Jon Rubin (Kev's manager). A movie deal should be signed momentarily for the "Shaming" and he hopes Kevin's catalog (Giraffes, Thud, some unreleased stuff, maybe even Toy Matinee) will be released this year... I really appreciate all of the work that you have done for Kevin....Take care of yourself. Best regards," - Bill
Bill, you're terrific. Thanks for keeping us updated.

3-8-98 "Hello...I just visited your Kevin Gilbert tribute sight, and I wanted to say thank you. It is a wonderful tribute to an amazing artist. I miss Kevin so much. Again, thank you." - Greyshde.
I miss Kevin very much, too. Thanks.

3-5-8 "Hi. Thanks for the great page, I was beginning to think nobody would ever do it!" - Rob Moore, San Jose, CA.
Thanks, Rob!

2-25-98 "Debbie - I'm very glad you contacted me. I went to your site for Kevin (Spent over an hour there) and thought it was very well done. I especially found interesting, the various news articles and interviews you had. I hadn't seen most of them before. Thanks. I'm going to add your site to my X-Files Dept. and even make it our next featured site. So check it out and let's stay in touch. And again, thanks for contacting me and The RAG - as well as the credit and link on your site." - Seth Mellman, Editor - The ROCK RAG at http://home.earthlink.net/~rockrag/
Seth, I can't thank you enough for featureing me at ROCK RAG. Thanks!

2-25-98 "Deb, You're getting serious out there. Great to see it! I think this is the most serious Gilbert site at the moment no less. But VERY nice work." - Sten Rasmussen
Thanks, Sten!

2-21-98 "Nice page!! Quite the best I've seen of Kevin Gilbert..." - Dave Corsak.
Thanks, Dave. Drop back from time to time.

2-20-98 "Hi, I just found your site today. What a great collection of some very moving stuff. Reading all of it has really made me want to hear all of Kevin Gilbert's music. I hope that it will be released someday, or that it somehow finds it's way to my ears. Hopefully, your site and others paying homage to Kevin Gilbert will create some more awareness and allow his music to be more accessible. Thank you," - Kevin Schutt
Thanks, Kevin!

2-17-98 "Dear Debbie, Things are moving along with Kevin's stuff. By the way the KG memorial fund is now administrated by the California Community Foundation here so here is correct info:
Kevin Gilbert Memorial Fund California Community Foundation Attn: Joe Lumarda 606 S. Olive Street #2400 Los Angeles CA 90014-1526
Have people enclose a note directing their contribution to the Kevin Gilbert Memeorial Fund. I'm kind of busy right now but why don't you e-mail me in about a month and I'll see what I can dig up for you. Best regards," - Jon Rubin.
Thanks, Jon. Please keep us posted. Thanks for all your hard work on Kevin's projects.

2-16-98 "Saw your Kevin Gilbert link...The Site looks great!" - Chuck Baehr.
Thanks, Chuck. Please check back from time to time.

2-17-98 "Dear Debbie, I visited your new web site for Kevin. I was surprised at a very wonderful page. I am interested in lyrics of Kevin in particular. Thank you very much for writing it to my name. If this page were readable smoothly, I think whether I am how good. I consider it to must study English more and more. I cannot convey it in a word, but will support Kevin from now on well. Please take care. Best wishes," - Mayumi Shibata.
Hi Mayumi. I will get up all of Kevin's lyrics very shortly. I can't wait until you visit the U.S. All my best to you, my friend.

2-16-98 "Hi Debbie, Your tribute-site is awesome. My page was just to remind the visitors of my website of all the great music that Kevin wrote. It was quite a shock when I heard that he died. Because since I heard The Ballad of Jenny Ledge back in '90 on the Mark and Brian show at KLOS, I'm trying to find all the music available. With my band and also solo I play several of his songs. Well, I'm gonna put a link to your page on my Kevin Gilbert page and maybe you can do it likewise. I want to put more information on my Kevin Gilbert page, but lately I'm too busy catching up with all my work. But it'll improve hoepfully in spring...I played already several of Kevin's songs on my radio show at Radio L(iechtenstein). This way I'm gonna keep his music alive...Take care, and say hello to all the Kevin Gilbert fans..." - Kurt Ackermann.
Kurt, keep up the great work. How wonderful that Kev's music is all the rage in Liechtenstein. Wish we would hear more of his music on the radio here at home. Thanks, Kurt!

2-15-98 "I just wanted to congratulate you on your in-depth Kevin site, it's a lovely tribute to an incredible human being, you did a great job. Although much as I want everyone to know about Kevin and his incredible music, I always experience a bit of childish jealousy when I see others writing about him, but your site was more comprehensive than almost any other I've seen, and your heart clearly in it, so I was truly impressed. I was lucky enough to meet and chat briefly with Kevin after several of his shows in the year before he died, and also (un)lucky enough to attend his memorial. He was/is as huge a part of my life as he apparently is of yours, so I just thought I'd drop you a line to thank you for keeping his memory alive. Warmly," - Ann McMillan.
Thanks, Ann. For any one who hasn't visited Ann's site, she should be the honorary KG historian. She has a fantastic collection of past reviews of Kevin with Giraffe, Toy Matinee, and other articles. You can find her site from my links page - look for her link entitled "The Late, Great Kevin Gilbert."

2-15-98 "Inspirational, Deb...Very well done...In fact, I'm feeling kind of lame right now having not yet made my intended additions to my page...you've garnered a lot of information, and it's beautifully presented. Bravo...I'll add a link. Waiting for the last plane out..." - Nick Monks.
I'll wait with you...

2-15-98 "Well, well, well, little lady. I just went over the Kevin page. It is totally fabulous! I know that Kevin must be thinking the same thing. I am truly honored to know someone like you. Thanks for all of your efforts. Please keep in touch. Warmest regards," - Bill Ricketts.
Thanks, Bill! I definitely will.

2-14-98 "Way to go Deb! I like it. A lot of great info...." - Rob Bartsch.
Thanks, Rob!.
.