LeRoi Moore…September 7, 1961 - August 19, 2008
In my life when times were tough I’ve had two pillars of support which I could lean on, the first being the iron game. However, the second which has kept my inner spirit glowing in times of darkness is one I rarely talk about. It’s my passion for music. Unfortunately today marks the passing of one of my favorite musicians, LeRoi Moore of the Dave Matthews Band.
September 7, 1961 - August 19, 2008
Growing up in the DC suburbs in the nineties the Dave Matthews Band was somewhat of a cult favorite. Once their ground breaking record Under the Table and Dreaming hit the airwaves they became an international sensation. It’s not until the Crash album landed that it seemed the eclectic group truly mastered their signature sound. LeRoi Moore was an integral part of that using an array of wind instruments such as the baritone sax, a pennywhistle, a flute, the soprano sax, and the alto saxophone. He capped off the a big band sound who’s sum is and always will be greater than its parts.
At live shows, LeRoi was always sporting some Gucci shades and played the part of the dark musician well. He didn’t speak much but certainly let his instrument do the talking for him. Whether it was blissful notes from the pennywhistle during Bartender or the crying solo from his alto sax, LeRoi dutiful filled his role in the band whether in the spotlight, sharing notes with violinist Boyd Tinsley to build the sound the Dave Matthews Band is famous for.
For this long time fan of the Dave Matthews Band I must admit I’m pretty choked up now writing this. I remember the last time I saw them at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI where LeRoi stole the spotlight that night. Despite having been to numerous DMB shows I earned a new respect for him that cold winter night. Yet again I am earning a new respect for LeRoi but unfortunately this time it’s because he has joined the ranks of great musicians who have passed.
Dave Matthews Band - Bartender live July 11, 2001.Fortunately, all is not lost and I can locate a good LeRoi Moore highlight with a few clicks on my iPod. While he will always be missed and the Dave Matthews Band must move forward, his crying saxophone will still bring a smile to a man who still holds the rockstar dream when he picks up his acoustic guitar. The message the Dave Matthews Band has taught me and LeRoi’s unfortunate passing is a reminder to “Eat, drink, and be merry. For tomorrow we die.”
This one is for you Leroi. A good friend I never met.
September 18, 2008 at 8:38 am
Well said,
I couldn’t have said it better. I have been a Dave Matthews fan for a long time. Music is my passion and out of all the bands that I’ve heard or seen, the DMB has been the only music that has made the biggest impact on my life. Through the hardest of times, to the greatest of times including meeting my wife at A DMB concert at the MGM Grand in Vegas in March of 2007. Although there is an unexplainable emotion for the loss of LeRoi Moore, it is nice to know that we will always have the music. The sweet sound of LeRoi’s pipes will never be forgotten.
September 18, 2008 at 8:41 am
Well said, (DMB)
I couldn’t have said it better. I have been a Dave Matthews fan for a long time. Music is my passion and out of all the bands that I’ve heard or seen, the DMB has been the only music that has made the biggest impact on my life. Through the hardest of times, to the greatest of times including meeting my wife at A DMB concert at the MGM Grand in Vegas in March of 2007. Although there is an unexplainable emotion for the loss of LeRoi Moore, it is nice to know that we will always have the music. The sweet sound of LeRoi’s pipes will never be forgotten.